What is Web Hosting?
Web hosting is a service that stores your website files (HTML, images, databases, etc.) on a server connected to the internet, making your site accessible to visitors 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Without hosting, your website would only exist on your computer and nobody else could see it. Quality UK hosting for small businesses typically costs £10-50 per month.
How web hosting works
Understanding hosting is simpler than you might think.
You create your website
Your website is made up of files - HTML code, images, stylesheets, and possibly a database. These files need to be stored somewhere accessible.
Files are uploaded to a server
A hosting provider gives you space on their server - a powerful computer that is always connected to the internet. Your website files live there.
Domain connects to server
Your domain name (like webcardiff.co.uk) is pointed to your hosting server. This tells browsers where to find your website when someone types in your address.
Visitors access your site
When someone visits your website, their browser requests the files from your hosting server. The server sends the files back, and the browser displays your site. This happens in milliseconds.
Types of web hosting explained
Different hosting types suit different needs and budgets. Here is what each offers.
Shared Hosting
£3-15/monthYour website shares server resources (CPU, RAM, storage) with many other websites. Like living in a block of flats - affordable but you share facilities.
Pros
- +Cheapest option
- +Easy to set up
- +Good for small sites
Cons
- -Slower performance
- -Limited resources
- -Affected by other sites
Best for
Personal blogs, hobby sites, very small businesses just starting out
VPS Hosting
£15-80/monthA virtual private server gives you dedicated resources on a shared physical server. Like having your own flat in a building - more privacy and control.
Pros
- +Dedicated resources
- +Better performance
- +More control
- +Scalable
Cons
- -Requires more technical knowledge
- -More expensive than shared
Best for
Growing businesses, sites with moderate traffic, e-commerce sites
Dedicated Hosting
£80-300+/monthYou rent an entire physical server exclusively for your website. Like owning your own house - complete control and maximum resources.
Pros
- +Maximum performance
- +Full control
- +Highest security
- +No sharing
Cons
- -Most expensive
- -Requires technical expertise
- -Overkill for most sites
Best for
Large businesses, high-traffic sites, applications with specific requirements
Cloud Hosting
Pay as you useYour website runs across multiple connected servers, with resources that scale automatically. Like having access to multiple properties that expand as needed.
Pros
- +Highly scalable
- +Pay for what you use
- +High reliability
- +No single point of failure
Cons
- -Costs can be unpredictable
- -Can be complex to manage
Best for
Sites with variable traffic, businesses expecting growth, e-commerce during sales
Managed WordPress Hosting
£15-50/monthHosting specifically optimised for WordPress with all technical management handled for you. Like having a fully-serviced office - everything is taken care of.
Pros
- +Optimised for WordPress
- +Automatic updates
- +Expert support
- +Better security
Cons
- -Only for WordPress
- -More expensive than basic shared
Best for
WordPress websites, businesses who want hands-off hosting, security-conscious sites
UK hosting vs international hosting
Where your website is hosted matters more than you might think, especially for UK businesses targeting local customers.
| Aspect | UK Hosting | International |
|---|---|---|
| Speed for UK visitors | Fast (data stays local) | Slower (data travels further) |
| GDPR compliance | Easier (UK data jurisdiction) | More complex |
| Local SEO benefit | Yes (Google factors location) | Limited |
| Support hours | UK business hours | May be overnight |
| Typical price | £10-50/month | £3-30/month |
Our recommendation
For Welsh and UK businesses, we strongly recommend UK-based hosting. The improved speed for local visitors, easier GDPR compliance, and local SEO benefits far outweigh the small price difference. Our managed hosting service uses UK data centres with enterprise-grade infrastructure.
What to look for in a hosting provider
Not all hosting is created equal. Here are the key factors to consider.
Uptime Guarantee
Look for at least 99.9% uptime. This means your site is down for less than 9 hours per year. Check if the host offers service credits for downtime.
Speed & Performance
SSD storage is essential (much faster than HDD). Look for a CDN (Content Delivery Network) included, and servers located in the UK for local businesses.
Security Features
Free SSL certificate is a must. Also look for firewalls, malware scanning, DDoS protection, and automatic security updates.
Backup Frequency
Daily backups are essential. Check how long backups are kept and how easy it is to restore them. Some hosts only keep 7 days, others keep 30+.
Customer Support
24/7 support is ideal. UK-based support means help during your business hours. Check if support is via chat, phone, or just tickets.
Pricing Transparency
Watch out for low introductory prices that increase dramatically on renewal. Check the actual renewal price before signing up.
How much does web hosting cost in the UK?
A realistic guide to hosting costs for UK small businesses in 2024.
Typical UK hosting costs
Budget Shared Hosting
Basic sites, personal projects
Quality Shared Hosting
Small business websites
Managed WordPress Hosting
Professional business sites (recommended)
VPS Hosting
Growing businesses, e-commerce
Dedicated Server
Large sites, enterprise
Watch out for hidden costs
- !Renewal prices - Many hosts offer cheap first-year rates that triple on renewal
- !SSL certificates - Should be free; some hosts charge £50-100/year
- !Backup restoration - Some hosts charge to restore from their own backups
- !Migration fees - Moving your site later can cost £50-200 if not included
Common web hosting questions
Everything you need to know about web hosting for your business.
What is web hosting?
Web hosting is a service that stores your website files (HTML, images, databases, etc.) on a server connected to the internet, making your site accessible to visitors 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. When someone types your domain name into their browser, the hosting server delivers your website to them. Without hosting, your website would only exist on your computer and nobody else could see it.
What are the different types of web hosting?
The main types of web hosting are: Shared hosting (cheapest, your site shares server resources with others, from £3-15/month), VPS hosting (virtual private server with dedicated resources, £15-80/month), Dedicated hosting (your own physical server, £80-300+/month), and Cloud hosting (scalable resources across multiple servers, pay for what you use). Most small businesses start with shared or managed WordPress hosting.
How much does web hosting cost in the UK?
UK web hosting typically costs: Shared hosting £3-15/month, Managed WordPress hosting £15-50/month, VPS hosting £15-80/month, Dedicated servers £80-300+/month, and Premium managed hosting £50-200/month. Quality UK-based hosting with good support typically starts around £10-25/month for small business websites. We offer managed hosting from £25/month including security updates and daily backups.
What is the difference between UK and international hosting?
UK-based hosting stores your website on servers located in the United Kingdom, which offers several advantages: faster loading times for UK visitors (data travels shorter distances), easier GDPR compliance as data stays within UK jurisdiction, better for local SEO as Google considers server location, and UK-based customer support during your business hours. International hosting may be cheaper but can result in slower sites and compliance complications.
What should I look for in a hosting provider?
Key factors when choosing a hosting provider include: Uptime guarantee (look for 99.9% or higher), Speed and performance (SSD storage, CDN included), Security features (SSL certificates, firewalls, malware scanning), Backup frequency (daily backups minimum), Customer support quality (24/7 support, UK-based preferred), Scalability options (can you upgrade easily?), and Pricing transparency (watch for renewal price increases). For WordPress sites, choose a provider that specialises in WordPress hosting.
What is managed WordPress hosting?
Managed WordPress hosting is a premium hosting service specifically optimised for WordPress websites. The hosting provider handles all technical aspects including automatic WordPress updates, daily backups, security monitoring, performance optimisation, and expert WordPress support. It costs more than standard shared hosting (typically £15-50/month) but saves time and provides better security and performance. Ideal for businesses who want their website looked after professionally.
Do I need web hosting if I have a domain name?
Yes, a domain name and web hosting are two separate things. Your domain name (like webcardiff.co.uk) is your website's address - it is how people find you online. Web hosting is where your website files actually live. You need both to have a functioning website. Think of the domain as your street address and hosting as the actual building where your business operates.
What is uptime and why does it matter?
Uptime is the percentage of time your website is accessible and working. A 99.9% uptime guarantee means your site should be down for no more than about 8.7 hours per year. Downtime means lost visitors, lost sales, and potential damage to your reputation. Quality hosts offer at least 99.9% uptime. Our hosting maintains 99.95% uptime with proactive monitoring to catch issues before they affect your site.
What is an SSL certificate and do I need one?
An SSL certificate encrypts data between your website and visitors, shown by the padlock icon and 'https://' in the browser. Yes, you absolutely need one - Google marks sites without SSL as 'Not Secure', it is required for any forms or payments, and it is a ranking factor for SEO. Most quality hosting providers include a free SSL certificate. We include SSL with all our hosting packages.
Can I host my website myself?
Technically yes, but it is not recommended for businesses. Self-hosting requires significant technical knowledge, a computer running 24/7, a fast and reliable internet connection, and expertise in security, updates, and maintenance. The cost of electricity, hardware, and your time usually exceeds professional hosting costs. Professional hosting offers better reliability, security, and support, typically for under £50/month.
Managed WordPress hosting from Web Cardiff
We offer fully managed WordPress hosting for Welsh businesses. No technical knowledge required - we handle everything so you can focus on your business.
What is included
From £25/moRelated glossary terms
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