“Hosting” is one of those words business owners hear all the time but rarely have explained. Here’s what it is, why it matters and what to look for.
In short: Hosting is the computer (server) that stores your website and delivers it to visitors. Good hosting means a fast, secure, reliable site; poor hosting can cost you customers and rankings.
Domain vs hosting
Think of your domain as your address (yourbusiness.co.uk) and your hosting as the building at that address where your website lives. You need both.
Types of hosting
| Type | What it is | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Shared | Many websites share one server | Small, low-traffic sites (quality varies) |
| Managed WordPress | Hosting tuned for WordPress with updates, caching, backups | Most small business sites |
| VPS / cloud | Dedicated slice of resources | Busier sites and shops |
What good hosting includes
- Free SSL (the padlock)
- Caching for speed
- Automatic backups
- Security monitoring and firewalls
- Reliable uptime and UK/European data centres
Why cheap hosting can cost you
Bargain hosting often means slow pages, downtime and no backups. Slow sites lose visitors (see our mobile-first websites guide) and downtime means missed enquiries.
Hosting included
With our pay monthly websites, fast, secure hosting with SSL is included — along with your custom website, business email and monthly SEO, for £150 a month. No separate bills, no technical headaches.
Hosting sorted, website included
Everything in one monthly price — £150.
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