A practical guide to the main types of web hosting, what each suits, the features that matter, the renewal-price trap, and a step-by-step way to choose.
Web hosting is the service that stores your website's files and serves them to visitors. Choosing badly usually shows up later: slow pages, surprise renewal bills, or a site you cannot easily move. This guide explains the main options in plain English and how to match them to what you are building.
Start with what you're building
- A simple brochure site or blog, with modest traffic: shared hosting, a website builder or static hosting is usually enough.
- A growing WordPress site or small shop: managed WordPress hosting or a good-quality shared plan with room to upgrade.
- A web application or a site with steady heavy traffic: a VPS or cloud hosting, if you or someone on your team can manage servers.
- A static site (plain HTML, or built with a static site generator): static hosting platforms are fast, secure and often free at small scale.
The main types of hosting
Shared hosting
Your site shares a server with many others. It is the cheapest option and usually comes with a control panel, email and one-click installs. The downside is that heavy traffic on a neighbouring site can affect yours, and resources are limited. Fine for most small sites.
VPS (virtual private server)
A slice of a server with guaranteed resources and full control. You can install what you like, but you are usually responsible for updates, security and backups unless you pay for a managed VPS.
Cloud hosting
Resources from a large network of servers that can scale up and down. Pricing is often based on usage, which is flexible but less predictable. Set billing alerts.
Managed hosting
The provider handles updates, security, caching and backups for a specific platform, most often WordPress. It costs more, but saves time and reduces the risk of a neglected site being hacked.
Website builders
All-in-one services where hosting, design and editing come together. Easy to start, but moving to another platform later can be hard, as your site is tied to their system.
Features that actually matter
- Backups: automatic, daily, kept off the server, and easy to restore. Test a restore at least once.
- Free SSL certificates so your site uses HTTPS. This should be standard.
- Server location near your audience, or a content delivery network (CDN), for speed.
- Support: how you contact them (chat, ticket, phone), and the hours.
- Uptime: a published service level and what compensation, if any, applies.
- Security: malware scanning, a web application firewall, two-step login for your account.
- Easy exit: can you download a full backup and move elsewhere?
"Unlimited" storage or bandwidth on shared plans is always subject to a fair-use policy; read it.
Watch the renewal price
Many hosts advertise a low introductory price that applies only if you pay for one to three years up front, then renew at a much higher rate. Check the renewal price before buying, and whether prices include VAT. Compare hosts on the cost over three years, not the first month.
Step by step: choosing a host
- Write down what the site must do, expected visitors and who will maintain it.
- Pick the type of hosting that fits, from the list above.
- Shortlist three providers and check the renewal price, backup policy, support and data-centre location.
- Read recent independent reviews, focusing on support and outages rather than speed claims.
- Check whether domain registration and email are included or bought separately. Keeping your domain with a separate registrar can make moving hosts easier.
- Start on a monthly plan, or use the money-back guarantee period, to test before committing for years.
Security basics whatever you choose
Use a strong, unique password and two-step verification on your hosting and domain accounts, keep your software and plugins updated, and remove ones you do not use. The NCSC's guidance for small businesses is a good checklist.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need UK hosting for a UK audience?
Not necessarily. A nearby data centre or a CDN helps speed. If you handle personal data, check where it is stored and that the provider meets UK GDPR requirements.
Can I switch hosts later?
Yes, though it takes planning. See our guide to moving a website without downtime.
Sources and further reading
- NCSC: Cyber security for small organisations
- ICO: UK GDPR guidance for small organisations
- Let's Encrypt: free SSL/TLS certificates
Facts checked on 20 October 2026. Spotted an error? Tell us and we will correct it.