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Business isn’t just done on the high street anymore and you can reach a wider, global audience for a small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) online. Whether it is selling goods or services, a business website helps engage with new (and current) customers.

How and where your website is hosted is important, as you need to ensure pages are accessible and safe from hacks with information stored securely. A business website should be reliable and fast to boost your reputation and your sales.

A lot of complicated technology can be involved with keeping a business website running, which is where web hosting comes in.

What is web hosting?

Web hosting is the behind-the-scenes technology that essentially powers a website. It stores data, processes requests and delivers content to users instantly when they visit your website.

Mark Bryce, founder of the SME AI Consultancy says: “Web hosting is essentially the service that makes your website visible on the internet. You are renting space on a server where your site’s files live.”

There are a few different types of web hosting options. These include shared hosting, where multiple business websites share one server. Alternatively, virtual private server (VPS) hosting is similar, but it gives you a dedicated part of a server.

There is also managed hosting through platforms such as WordPress. This means a provider handles the technical management of your website.

Is VPS hosting safe?

Many small businesses opt for shared hosting, which is typically the cheaper option. VPS is seen as a step up from shared hosting. This is because you get your own part of a server, removing the worry about web traffic becoming overloaded and potentially crashing your website.

However, depending on your tech skills, VPS hosting can come with security risks.

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Collette Mason, consultant at Clever Clogs AI, highlights: “VPS offers more security than shared hosting because you have dedicated resources, isolation from other users, and control over server settings. But, any server can be hacked given enough time and dedication. Safety depends on proper configuration, strong passwords, and regular updates.

“Many small businesses choosing VPS without technical expertise create more security holes than shared hosting would have. Consider a managed VPS if you lack in-house IT capability.”

How much does web hosting cost?

The cost of web hosting can vary depending on your needs and the type you use. Shared hosting can cost from £1.50 to £5 per month, VPS can range from £10 to £20 per month and managed hosting can be £20 to £40 per month.

There may be cheap introductory offers to attract businesses so it is important to keep an eye on renewal fees and shop around. You should also check what speeds, security and support you are getting for your money, as that could all impact how customers interact with your business online.

Do I need web hosting for my business website?

Web hosting essentially makes sure the internet sees your website, so it can be pretty crucial for a business.

There are free hosting services but these may not let you have your own customised domain or web address. Additionally, paid-for web hosting services could give you extra tools, such as search engine optimisation (SEO), to help your brand get noticed online.

What is the best web hosting option for my website?

Many experts suggest small businesses should start with shared hosting, as the costs are typically lower. There are pros and cons to all the different web hosting tools. For example, shared hosting and VPS are often cheaper options but you need to take control of security and backups, which are usually already handled with managed and cloud-based services.

Shared hosting or VPS hosting is more flexible as you can often use your own content management system, designs and plugins. Meanwhile, a managed or cloud service will have its own in-built tools and templates which may not feel as flexible.

Alan Carr, founder of Webpop design, explains: “Most businesses don’t need complicated or expensive hosting. You can get entry-level shared hosting for as little as £5 to £15 a month, but you might sacrifice performance and support.

“VPS and dedicated hosting are better for specialist situations, but only if they’re properly managed. Unmanaged setups can introduce risk if updates and security aren’t handled correctly.”

Read more: How do I create my own email domain?