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Business web hosting
Every business website needs hosting, but not all hosting is created equal. From speed and security to scalability and support, your hosting setup can directly impact how well your website performs and how professional your business appears online.
We break down the key types of business web hosting, what to look for in a provider, and how to make the right choice for your business.
Contents
- What is web hosting?
- Types of web hosting
- Factors to consider when choosing a web hosting provider
- What size hosting does my business need?
- Hosting security features
What is web hosting?
Web hosting is what makes your website visible online. It involves storing your website’s files, images, and code on a server that’s always connected to the internet. When someone types in your web address, your hosting provider’s server loads the site for them.
But ‘hosting’ doesn’t just apply to websites. Businesses can also host email servers, cloud storage, gaming platforms, or even entire networks for others. This is known as Hosting-as-a-Service (HaaS), when companies like AWS or Microsoft Azure rent out powerful servers for all digital needs.
What’s the difference between web hosting and general hosting?
The main difference comes down to performance, reliability, and the level of support your business needs.
Personal web hosting is usually designed for hobby sites or blogs. It’s cheap, often on shared servers, and has limited bandwidth and basic features. That might be fine if you just share photos or post now and then.
Business web hosting is for speed, uptime, and security. Your website needs to load fast, stay online 24/7, and protect customer data. That means more powerful servers, regular backups, SSL certificates, better customer support, and often, the option to scale up as your business grows.
If your site goes down or runs slowly, it can hurt your reputation, sales, and search engine rankings. That’s why most businesses invest in more robust web hosting options.
In short, personal hosting is built for casual use. Business web hosting is for performance, trust, and growth.
Types of web hosting
There are three main types of web hosting, each offering different levels of performance, cost, and flexibility.
Let’s break it down:
Shared hosting
A low-cost option where multiple websites share one server. Ideal for smaller sites with low traffic. Limited performance and security, but perfect for getting started on a budget.
Dedicated hosting
You get the whole server to yourself. High performance, customisation, and cybersecurity compliance, but it comes at a premium. Best for large businesses or sensitive data.
Cloud hosting
Your site runs across several servers in the cloud. Great for scalability and reliability, especially if traffic spikes or your business is growing fast.
Which hosting option is best for your business?
- Shared hosting: Best for startups or small businesses with tight budgets and low website traffic.
- Dedicated hosting: Suited to large businesses that need full control, top performance, or have stricter data needs.
- Cloud hosting: A flexible choice for growing businesses or those expecting traffic spikes, offering scalability without the cost of a dedicated server.
VPS and private hosting
Some businesses choose a Virtual Private Server (VPS). In this setup, a shared server is virtually split to give you more control and customisation, without the full cost of dedicated hosting.
Others opt for private web hosting by running their servers in-house. This is only viable if you have the right infrastructure. Companies with a business leased line can host high-performance, high-uptime websites from their premises.
Those on full fibre business broadband or SOGEA business broadband may be able to host simpler sites, such as internal tools or basic landing pages, using existing hardware.
Factors to consider when choosing a web hosting provider
Not all web hosting providers offer the same level of performance, support or value. Here are the key factors to consider when choosing a web hosting provider for your business.
| Factor | Description |
|---|---|
| Reliability and performance | Choose providers with high uptime (99.9% or more), fast load times, and strong infrastructure. Better performance usually costs more. |
| Scalability and flexibility | Go for hosting that can handle traffic spikes and future growth without switching providers or plans. |
| Security and backups | Ensure plans include SSL, firewalls, malware protection, and automated backups, regardless of price tier. |
| Support and reputation | Opt for hosts with 24/7 support and a solid reputation. Read real customer reviews to avoid surprises. |
| Value for money | Look at features like one-click installs, email, and site builders. Weigh cost against what’s actually included, and check for hidden fees. |
Service Level Agreements (SLAs): No matter what web hosting type you use, read the SLA before signing. This guarantees the minimum performance that your host is promising to deliver.
What size hosting does my business need?
Now that you know the main factors that affect your choice of web hosting and the types of hosting available, here’s a quick look at what different kinds of businesses typically need.
| Business type | Recommended hosting | Key considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Freelancers and small local businesses | Shared hosting | Budget-friendly and easy to manage, minor downtime is usually acceptable. Choose a provider with strong customer support and a reliable SLA. |
| Small online trading firms | Dedicated hosting (plus cloud for non-core areas) | Prioritises security and performance, essential for FCA compliance and fast transactions, ensuring a robust SLA covers uptime and data protection. |
| Growing e-commerce businesses | Cloud hosting | Designed for scalability and uptime, which is ideal for handling variable traffic and sales volumes, choose a provider offering a high SLA and strong redundancy. |
How business web hosting works
When someone visits your website, their browser sends a request to a server where your website files are stored.
Business web hosting is the service that provides this server space, along with the infrastructure to keep your site fast and secure.
Servers are physical or virtual machines that process those requests and deliver your website content to users. Hosting services also manage bandwidth (how much data your site can transfer), uptime (how reliable your site is), and server resources like CPU, RAM, and storage, all of which affect your site’s performance.
Depending on the hosting type you choose, your website might share those resources with other businesses (shared hosting), run on a dedicated machine (dedicated hosting), or be distributed across a network of cloud servers (cloud hosting) for added flexibility.
Best web hosting providers for businesses
With so many providers out there, it helps to focus on those that offer strong UK performance, trusted support, and the right hosting features for business needs. Here’s a snapshot of the top options:
| Provider | Description | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Hostinger UK | Fast, affordable hosting with a clean dashboard and UK servers. | Startups and freelancers on a budget |
| GoDaddy | Global provider offering domains, hosting, email, and marketing tools. | All-in-one setup for small businesses |
| SiteGround | Known for top-tier support, speed, and security features. | Growing businesses that need reliability |
| 123 Reg | UK-based with simple hosting, domain, and email bundles. | Local businesses wanting a UK-based service |
| Bluehost | Popular WordPress hosting with strong uptime and good scalability. | WordPress users and expanding businesses |
| Krystal | Independent UK company with eco-friendly hosting and UK-only servers. | Local support and green credentials |
| Fasthosts | UK-based provider offering shared, VPS, and dedicated hosting. | SMEs looking for scalable hosting in one place |
| TSOHost | London-based hosting with straightforward plans and UK data centres. | Small businesses and bloggers |
| Heart Internet | Offers shared, VPS, and reseller hosting with a UK-based infrastructure. | Web agencies and multi-site operators |
| Ionos (UK) | Focused with flexible pricing and infrastructure options. | Cost-conscious businesses that plan to grow |
Key web hosting considerations for small businesses
Choosing the right web hosting for a small business depends on your size, budget, and website type. Below are some of the most common hosting needs for startups, sole traders and growing businesses, along with what to look for in each case.
Best web hosting for small businesses
Small businesses typically need a hosting provider that balances performance, reliability, and customer support without unnecessary extras. Look for hosts with strong SLAs, UK-based support, and easy scalability.
Shared hosting or cloud hosting plans are often ideal, offering enough flexibility and storage to grow with your business.
Website hosting for startups and sole traders
For startups and sole traders, simplicity and affordability are key. A reliable shared hosting plan is usually the best place to start, especially if you’re running a brochure site or an essential online presence. Prioritise ease of setup, good customer support, and clear pricing with no hidden fees.
Cheapest reliable small business hosting
If budget is your biggest concern, look for low-cost hosting with a solid SLA, daily backups, and decent uptime guarantees.
Some budget hosts include essential features like free SSL certificates, cPanel access, and email hosting. Just ensure that the low cost doesn’t mean cutting corners on security or support.
Web hosting with built-in CMS support
If your site is powered by a CMS like WordPress, Magento or Shopify, choose a host that offers dedicated support for that platform.
This often includes one-click installs, automatic updates, caching, and optimisation features to boost performance. CMS-friendly hosts can also make it easier to manage your site without technical headaches.
Web hosting migration
You will need to migrate if you are one of the millions of businesses in the UK with an existing website but are unsatisfied with your hosting provider.
This may be due to poor performance, simply your website’s traffic, or changes in requirements. Almost all businesses change providers at one point or another.
Here is an overview of a typical migration process so that you know what your IT department or your third-party webmaster will be doing:
How do you migrate your website to another hosting provider?
Here is an overview of what you will need to do:
- Choose a new hosting provider: Consider these factors and these types of web hosting to choose a provider and plan that meets your business needs.
- Create a backup: Backup all your website’s files, databases, and email accounts to prevent data loss.
- Set up a new account: Sign up for a hosting plan with the new provider and set up your hosting account. Note the new server’s details, such as FTP/SFTP credentials and database information.
- Transfer website files: Use an FTP client or a file manager tool provided by your hosting provider to transfer your website files from the old server to the new server. Ensure that all files, including scripts and media, are copied over.
- Migrate the database: Export it from your old hosting account using tools like phpMyAdmin and import it into the new hosting account. Update any configuration files (e.g., wp-config.php for WordPress) with the new database details, and ensure to migrate your email (if applicable).
- Update DNS settings: Once your files and database are set up on the new host, update your domain’s DNS settings to point to the new hosting provider’s servers. This typically involves changing the A record and possibly the MX records if you’re using email services.
- Test the website: After the DNS changes propagate (which can take up to 48 hours), thoroughly test your website on the new hosting platform to ensure everything functions correctly. Check links, forms, and other interactive elements.
- Monitor and optimise: Monitor your website’s performance and make necessary optimisations. Look for any issues and be ready to address them promptly.
- Cancel old hosting account: Once you’re confident that your website is running smoothly on the new host and you’ve moved all necessary services, cancel your old hosting account.
Cybersecurity concerns: With the growing threat of cyberattacks, UK businesses increasingly prioritise security in their hosting decisions. This has led to a rise in migrations to hosting providers that offer advanced security features and cybersecurity compliance with UK data protection regulations.
Hosting considerations for prime website performance
If your business relies on a strong digital presence or ranks through SEO, website performance isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s critical. Beyond the basics like speed and uptime, there are technical hosting considerations that digital marketing and SEO teams should factor in when choosing the best web hosting environment.
Here are five key hosting considerations to help maximise your website’s performance and reliability:
| Consideration | Description |
|---|---|
| Speed and performance | Fast page load times supported by local data centres, a global CDN, server-side caching, and software optimised for your CMS or tech stack. |
| Reliability and uptime | Hosting with 99.9% or higher uptime guarantees, support for the latest web protocols (like HTTP/3), and well-maintained server infrastructure. |
| Scalability and flexibility | Ability to scale server resources like CPU, RAM, and storage on demand to handle spikes in traffic or long-term growth, often via cloud hosting. |
| Security and protection | Built-in security features such as SSL certificates, web application firewalls, DDoS protection, malware scanning, and secure server configurations. |
| Backup and recovery | Automated daily backups are stored offsite or redundantly, with tested recovery processes to restore your site quickly in case of data loss or failure. |
CMS and web hosting considerations
When choosing a CMS (Content Management System), it’s essential to consider how it integrates with your hosting setup. Many businesses choose a CMS and web hosting provider simultaneously, especially small businesses where it’s often bundled.
Here are five critical factors to consider when evaluating CMS and hosting together:
- Scalability: As your site grows in content and traffic, both your CMS and hosting must scale smoothly. Cloud hosting is often preferred for SEO-driven sites.
- Hosting type: Is the hosting native to the CMS (e.g. WordPress.com or Shopify), or do you need to self-host with a third party? This affects performance, flexibility, and cost.
- Compatibility: Make sure the hosting environment supports your CMS, including database, PHP versions, and server settings. WordPress, for example, works best on servers optimised for PHP and MySQL.
- Ease of management: If you’re managing content frequently, the CMS and hosting should offer a simple, intuitive dashboard and support tools like one-click installs.
- Backup and disaster recovery: This is essential. Regular, reliable backups are a must, especially with platforms like WordPress, where plugin or theme updates can sometimes cause failures. Make sure your provider tests backups regularly.
Hosting security features
Web hosting comes with key security considerations, especially with rising cyber threats. Below are standard security features and whether they’re core, optional, or add-ons.
| Security Feature | Description | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| SSL Certificates | Encrypts data transfer between the user's browser and the server. | Core (All packages) |
| Firewalls | Acts as a barrier to block unauthorised access and protect against attacks. | Core (All packages) |
| Software Updates | Regular updates for hosting platform, CMS, and plugins to patch security vulnerabilities. | Core (All packages) |
| Access Controls | Controls to ensure only authorized personnel can access sensitive areas. | Core (All packages) |
| Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) | Provides a secure method for transferring files to and from the server. | Core (All packages) |
| Regular Backups | Automated backups to restore the website in case of data loss or security breach. | Common (Most packages) |
| DDoS Protection | Protects the website against Distributed Denial of Service attacks. | Preferred (Higher-tier packages) |
| Malware Scanning and Removal | Detects and removes malicious software from the website. | Optional (Some packages) |
| Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) | Adds an extra layer of security with a second form of verification. | Optional (Some packages) |
| Security Monitoring | Continuous monitoring for suspicious activity on the website. | Niche (Specialized packages) |
Domain names and email hosting
Finally, here is a short section on domain names (DNS) and e-mail hosting, which are integral to website hosting.
What is a domain name (DNS)?
A domain name is a unique address that identifies a website on the Internet, such as www.businessbroadbandhub.co.uk. This name must be registered and attributed to your website hosting to ensure that any links to it access the correct files and code stored by the hosting service!
What is e-mail hosting?
Email hosting is a service that allows you to send, receive, and store emails using your domain name like name@yourdomain.com. Using a custom email address enhances your business’s professionalism and credibility but must be supported with robust security features like ample storage, spam filtering, and secure access (SSL/TLS).
💡 Integrations: Most web hosting packages include email hosting, which comes with the domain name. Alternatively, you can opt for standalone email hosting services or use providers like Google Workspace or Microsoft 365.
Business web hosting – FAQs
Our business broadband experts answer commonly asked questions on web hosting for UK businesses.
What is the best hosting for small businesses?
Generally, a small business will want the cheapest web hosting solution and typically opt for shared hosting to ensure its online presence at the bare minimum. However, if your business is an e-commerce or you offer online services, pay-as-you-store cloud hosting is probably more attractive as it guarantees better uptime and scalability if a product or website goes viral.
However, there is no absolute best type of hosting or best web hosting provider. It’s a competitive market, and each provider tries to excel in its niche. To choose your plan, see the main factors you need to consider when choosing a web hosting plan and some case studies of the web hosting solutions that typical UK businesses might pick based on their requirements.
Does my business need a website?
Not necessarily. Over a third of UK businesses don’t have a website and fulfil their online requirements with social media profiles like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and LinkedIn.
However, a website is necessary for more advanced functionality in e-commerce, such as payment services, forms, and custom applications such as calculators and games.
Does my ISP affect my hosting needs?
Your choice of business broadband provider shouldn’t affect your website’s performance because it will depend on the connection quality of your web host, not yours! The exception is if you are privately hosting your website from your servers.
If you are, compare business broadband deals to get the cheapest dedicated leased line or full fibre business broadband connection. If this is unavailable in your area, Virgin’s cable broadband is the second-best option for private hosting as it is tethered, responsive and sometimes even faster.
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