Hosting is the foundation your website sits on. Choose well and you'll barely think about it. Choose badly and you'll deal with slow pages, outages, security scares and support queues. The cheapest plan is rarely the cheapest option once lost enquiries are counted. Here's how to choose hosting that fits your site, your traffic and your team.
The main types of hosting
| Type | How it works | Good for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared hosting | Many sites share one server | Very small, low-traffic sites | Slow when neighbours are busy, limited support |
| VPS | A virtual slice of a server with guaranteed resources | Developers who want control | You manage updates and security |
| Managed WordPress | Hosting tuned and maintained for WordPress | Most WordPress business sites | Higher monthly cost, some plugin limits |
| Cloud / serverless (e.g. Vercel, Netlify) | Sites served from a global edge network | Modern JavaScript sites like Next.js | Usage-based costs at high scale |
| Dedicated server | A whole physical server for one site | Very large, specialised sites | Expensive, needs expert management |
| Website builder hosting | Included with Wix, Squarespace, Webflow | Sites built on those platforms | Tied to the platform |
What actually matters
1. Speed
Look for modern hardware, server-level caching, HTTP/2 or HTTP/3 and a built-in CDN. Fast server response time underpins good Core Web Vitals.
2. Uptime and reliability
A 99.9% uptime target still allows around 43 minutes of downtime a month. Check the host's track record, status page and how they communicate incidents. Our article on why websites go down explains the common causes.
3. Security
- Automatic SSL certificates
- Firewall and malware scanning
- Isolated accounts, so one compromised site can't affect yours
- Two-factor authentication on the hosting dashboard
4. Backups
Daily automatic backups, kept off the main server, with easy one-click restores. Read our guide to a website backup strategy for what "good" looks like.
5. Support
When something breaks, can you reach a knowledgeable person quickly? Test support before you buy by asking a technical question.
6. Scalability
Can you add resources during busy periods, such as a sale or a press mention, without migrating?
7. Data location and compliance
If you handle personal data, check where it's stored and that the host's terms support UK GDPR.
Matching hosting to your site
| Your site | Sensible choice |
|---|---|
| WordPress brochure site | Managed WordPress hosting with a CDN |
| WooCommerce store | Managed WordPress hosting with e-commerce plans |
| Next.js or React site | Vercel, Netlify or similar edge platforms |
| Shopify store | Hosting is included in Shopify |
| Custom web application | Cloud platform (AWS, Google Cloud, Azure) or managed app hosting |
| Very small personal site | Quality shared hosting is acceptable |
Red flags
- "Unlimited" everything for a few pounds a month
- No clear backup policy
- Support only by email with multi-day replies
- Steep renewal prices after a cheap first year
- Old PHP versions or no automatic SSL
- Long contracts with exit fees
Don't forget DNS and email
Your domain's DNS controls where your website and email point. Keep your domain registrar account in your own name, with two-factor authentication, and set up SPF, DKIM and DMARC so your email is trusted. Our free DNS and email health checker shows what's currently configured.
Moving hosts without downtime
- Back up the current site and database.
- Set up the site on the new host and test it on a temporary address.
- Lower your DNS TTL a day or two before switching.
- Switch DNS during a quiet period.
- Check forms, SSL, email records and tracking after the switch.
- Keep the old hosting for a week as a fallback.
What you're really paying for
The price on a hosting plan is only part of the cost. Compare total value, not the headline monthly fee.
| Cost or value | Cheap shared hosting | Managed or cloud hosting |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly fee | Low, often rising sharply at renewal | Higher, more predictable |
| Speed | Variable, affected by other sites | Consistent, tuned for your platform |
| Backups | Often basic or extra | Usually included, with easy restores |
| Security | Basic | Firewalls, malware scanning, isolation |
| Support | Generic, slow queues | Platform specialists |
| Your time | More troubleshooting | Less to manage |
| Lost enquiries from slow or broken pages | Higher risk | Lower risk |
Questions to ask a hosting provider
- Where are your data centres, and do you include a CDN?
- How are backups taken, how long are they kept and how do I restore one?
- What uptime have you achieved over the past year, and do you publish a status page?
- How quickly does support respond, and who answers?
- What happens if my site gets a traffic spike?
- Are SSL certificates included and renewed automatically?
- What does the plan cost after the first year?
- How easy is it to move my site away if I need to?
A good provider answers these clearly. Vague answers about backups or support are a warning sign.
Let someone else handle it
If you'd rather not think about servers at all, our hosting management service sets up and looks after hosting, DNS, SSL, backups and monitoring for you.
The short version
Match the hosting type to your platform, then prioritise speed, uptime, security, backups and responsive support over price. Avoid "unlimited" bargains and long contracts, keep your domain in your own name, and plan any migration carefully to avoid downtime.
