You’ve toiled over your business’ brand new website. The design looks great, everything works smoothly, and you’re ready to show it to the world. But without web hosting, no one will ever see it. Web hosting provides the physical space where your website files live, connecting your domain name to the internet so people can access your site from anywhere in the world.
We asked a leading web hosting comparison site for their tips. Here’s what they came up with!
Shared hosting vs Dedicated hosting for your small business
Small business owners face a choice between two main types of hosting: shared hosting and dedicated hosting. Think of shared hosting like renting a desk in a co-working space. You get what you need at a lower cost, but you share resources with others. Dedicated hosting, on the other hand, is like having your own private office – it costs more, but you get complete control over your space and resources.
Shared hosting works well for many small businesses, especially those just starting out. You’ll share a server with other websites, which keeps costs down. The hosting company takes care of server maintenance, and you won’t need technical expertise to get started. However, you might notice slower loading times during peak traffic periods, as other websites on your server compete for resources. Security can also be a concern – if another site on your shared server gets hacked, your site might be vulnerable too.
Dedicated hosting gives you an entire server to yourself. Your website will load faster because you’re not sharing resources, and you’ll have better security since you control the entire environment. The downside? It costs significantly more than shared hosting, and you’ll need more technical knowledge to manage it effectively. Most small businesses don’t need dedicated hosting when they first launch, but it’s worth considering as you grow.
Hosting speed matters to your users (and to Google)
Website speed shapes how people feel about your business. When someone clicks on your site, you have about a twentieth of a second to make an impression. If your page takes too long to load, they’ll likely leave and visit your competitor instead. Your hosting choice directly affects your site’s speed.
Google pays attention to your site’s speed too. Faster websites tend to rank higher in search results, which means more potential customers can find you. Your hosting provider should offer enough power to handle your traffic and keep your site running smoothly.
Good technical support is priceless
Every website runs into problems occasionally. Maybe your site goes down during a busy sales period, or you need help with a technical issue. Your hosting provider’s support team becomes your lifeline in these situations.
Look for providers offering 24/7 support through multiple channels – phone, email, and live chat. They should respond quickly and actually solve your problems, not just read from a script. Ask potential providers about their backup systems too. Regular backups protect your site’s data and let you restore everything quickly if something goes wrong.
What is uptime in hosting (and how to calculate uptime)
You might hear hosting companies talk about “uptime” in their sales pitches. Simply put, uptime means the amount of time your website stays online and accessible to visitors. Think of it like keeping your physical shop open – if your website goes down (downtime), you’re effectively closing your doors to customers.
Many hosting providers promise 99.9% uptime, which sounds impressive. But let’s break down what that really means for your business. A 99.9% uptime still allows for about 8.8 hours of downtime per year. If those hours hit during your peak sales times, you could lose significant business. Even worse, a 99% uptime means your site could be down for almost 88 hours annually – that’s like closing your shop for almost four days straight. You can check your (potential) host’s uptime guarantees or claims and use this handy hosting uptime calculator to work out what that may mean in practice.
Good hosting providers monitor their servers around the clock and jump on problems before they affect your site. They’ll have backup systems ready to kick in if something fails, keeping your website running smoothly. When you’re comparing hosting companies, ask about their actual uptime records, not just their promises. Some providers even offer money-back guarantees if they don’t meet their uptime commitments.
Keeping your site secure
Security matters more than ever for UK businesses. The UK GDPR requires you to protect customer data, and Google considers security when ranking websites. Your hosting provider should offer robust security features like firewalls and malware protection. SSL certificates come standard with most hosting packages now – they encrypt data traveling between your site and its visitors, showing customers they can trust you.
Green hosting is increasingly popular
More UK businesses now choose environmentally conscious hosting providers. These companies power their servers with renewable energy, helping reduce your website’s carbon footprint. The Green Web Foundation can help you find sustainable hosting options. You might pay slightly more for green hosting, but it shows customers you care about the environment and matches the values of eco-conscious consumers.
Choosing your web host
Your perfect hosting solution depends on what your business needs right now – and what it might need in the future. A simple business website with moderate traffic can thrive on shared hosting. But if you’re planning significant growth, handling sensitive customer data, or running a busy online shop, you might want to start with dedicated hosting or plan to upgrade soon.
Remember to monitor your site’s performance over time. As your business grows, your hosting needs will likely change. Don’t be afraid to switch providers if your current host isn’t keeping up with your business’s evolution.
Keep checking your site’s speed using tools like Google’s PageSpeed Insights. Watch your traffic patterns and note any slowdowns. Pay attention to your storage space and bandwidth usage. These metrics help you decide when it’s time to upgrade your hosting.
The hosting provider you choose creates the foundation for your online presence. Take time to research different providers, read reviews from other UK businesses, and ask detailed questions about their services. Your website represents your business online – make sure it has the strong foundation it needs to succeed.