What Is Local Hosting? A Comprehensive Guide

Web Hosting Tips Published on Date: July 10th 2025

Having a secure, fast and reliable website is vital for businesses and individuals alike. One of the key factors influencing website performance is where and how your website is hosted. While many are familiar with cloud or shared hosting services, local hosting is an often-overlooked option that offers unique benefits, especially for small businesses, developers, and those concerned about data control and privacy.

In this blog, we will delve deeper into local hosting and explore how to host a website on a local server. Let’s get started.

What is a Local Host? 

To understand Local Host in simple terms, let’s break down the phrase into two parts: 

• “Local” means your own computer-essentially, this computer. 
• “Host” refers to a server that delivers content over the Internet or a network. 

A local host means that your computer is acting as its server. Instead of connecting to a remote server on the Internet, your system communicates by itself.

For instance, think of it as your digital home address. So, when you type ‘localhost’ into your browser, you are effectively sending a message to your machine, instructing it to handle the request internally.

When is Local Host Utilized?  

Developers and IT professionals utilize a local host in many circumstances. A few of them include;

1. Testing websites or Applications

Developers can use local hosts to test and monitor the website or app features and functionalities on a private connection before publishing them live. This ensures that your website framework is protected by providing vital testing capabilities for the developers.

2. Speed Testing and Bug Analysis

IT professionals can check speed and also analyze bugs by using a local host. They can send requests through local hosts and run the speed test to check that all the components perform well with low latency. Additionally, bug analysis helps IT professionals identify and fix bugs before the website goes live for users.

3. Block websites from User Access

Another usage of local hosts is to block websites. This helps them to prevent suspicious viruses from impacting their systems. Administrators can block websites that contain ads, malware, or viruses. Therefore, redirecting the site to the local IP address 127.0.0.1 means the computer never connects to a potentially harmful website.

What is Local Hosting? 

Local hosting refers to running a website or web application on your own computer, using it as a local server. It relies on a specific IP address within the local area network (LAN) to function.

Moreover, local hosting allows you to test and view your website by transforming your personal computer into a web server, allowing you to operate and view your website as if it were live.

Benefits of Local Hosting

1. Faster Speed Access

A delay in loading the website can negatively impact its Performance, and there is also a risk of losing clients. Therefore, business websites hosted on an overseas server experience higher latency as data travels over a longer distance. Moreover, local hosting eliminates delays in fostering good website performance.

2. Safe Testing Environment

Hosting your website locally allows developers to test apps and services locally without affecting live systems or other users. This isolated environment enables thorough testing and debugging before applying changes to a production environment.

3. Compliance with Local Regulations

Local providers are familiar with local regulations and laws, such as GDPR in Europe. This helps them ensure your website complies with data protection laws. Additionally, local hosting stays current with changes in these laws, ensuring your website remains compliant.

4. More Robust Security

Local hosting providers mostly have strong ways to protect your website from hackers and other online threats. They also understand the specific challenges that local businesses may encounter.

5. Networking Opportunities

Utilising a local host can mostly lead to great networking opportunities. Local hosting providers have robust connections with other networking businesses and professionals. This leads to potential collaboration with other companies and expands your market reach.

How to Set up Local Hosting?

If you decide to opt for hosting, here’s the checklist to set up local hosting

1. Select your Hardware: Choose a server or computer that fulfils your website’s requirements. Make sure it has robust memory, RAM, storage, and more.  

2. Install Server Software: You can install server software like XAMPP, Apache, and Nginx. This software efficiently manages web requests and delivers your website’s content to the end-users.

3. Configure Your Server: The next step is to configure your server and specify how it can handle web traffic. Also, you need to configure performance and security settings.

4. Set Up Your Website: You can easily upload your websites files to the web directory of the server. Don’t forget to check the website’s compatibility with the server environment.

5. Monitor Performance: Continue to monitor your website’s performance and identify any technical errors promptly.

How to Host a Website on a Local Web Server? 

Let’s check out a step-by-step guide for hosting a website on a local web server using XAMPP server software.

Step1: Download & Install XAMPP

Go to the official XAMPP website: https://www.apachefriends.org/download.html

Download the latest version of XAMPP for Windows, macOS, or Linux.

Download the latest version.

Then, run the installer and follow the installation steps by clicking Next.

Step 2: Start Apache & MySQL Services
After completing the installation, a window will appear, and you need to start both MySQL and Apache services.

Step 3: Download and Extract WordPress
https://wordpress.org/download/

Extract the WordPress folder from the XAMPP htdocs folder.

After extracting, you need to place the folder in htdocs

Step 4: Create a Local Database
Create a database for WordPress on your web server in
http://localhost/phpmyadmin/

You can find and rename  wp-config-sample.php to wp-config.php, and add your database information.

 
Step 5: Run the WordPress Installation
In your browser, go to:
http://localhost/mywebsite/

You will see the WordPress installation wizard. Click continue.

Fill in the information and click ‘Install WordPress’.

Step 6: Log in and Visit Site

Here you have successfully hosted a website. You can initiate a further development process and successfully build your website.

How to Choose a Local Hosting Provider for your Business?

When you are in search of a local hosting provider, here are some vital things to consider:

1. Reputation: Begin by researching what others have to say about the provider. Also, read reviews or ask people if you know if they trust the company.

2. Experience: Look for a provider with a strong track record in local business hosting, as experience brings valuable insights and reliable service. 

3. Feature: Always review what each provider offers. See how much space they give you to store your website, how much data your website can use, and whether they have good client support.

4. Pricing: Contact different providers to determine their charges and then compare their prices. Find a good deal that fits your budget.

5. Scalability: Always think about the future. Your business may grow. Therefore, you need a provider that can scale your hosting plan as your business expands.

Summing Up

That was an overview of local hosting. Allowing local providers to host your website can help you target your audience more effectively, while also enhancing your website’s security and Performance. Whether you’re using it for development, testing, or serving a specific geographic audience, local hosting reduces reliance on external servers and boosts Performance. By understanding how local hosting works and when to utilize it, you can make more informed choices that align with your technical needs and business objectives.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q 1. Is local host and local hosting the same thing? 

Ans. No, local host and local hosting are not the same thing. A local host refers to your computer, which comes with an IP address of 127.0.0.1, used to test or run software locally. In contrast, local hosting involves hosting a website on your computer, rather than on a remote server.

Q 2. Why should I use local hosting?

Ans. Local hosting allows you to build, test, and modify websites in a secure and private environment without affecting a live site. It’s faster and doesn’t require an internet connection to work. 

Q 3. Is local hosting the same as web hosting? 

Ans. No. Web hosting makes your site accessible on the internet via a hosting provider, while local hosting keeps your site stored and running only on your personal computer. 

Q 4. What tools do I need for local hosting?  

Ans. Popular tools include XAMPP, WAMP, MAMP, or Local Flywheel. These packages offer everything you need, including Apache (web server), MySQL (database), and PHP. 

Q 5. Can I host a live website using local hosting?  

Ans. Technically, yes, but it’s not recommended. Local hosting lacks the security, uptime, and scalability features needed for a live, public-facing website. 

Q 6. Does local hosting require an internet connection?  

Ans.  No. Once set up, local hosting operates entirely offline, as it runs on your local machine.