Web Hosting Services: Your Gateway to a Thriving Online Presence

Ever tried running a website without web hosting?

Either it didn't work... or you had a website that looked something like this...

yourbusiness.wix.com or yourbusiness.wordpress.com

Here's the issue if you run a website like that...

It's much harder to get picked up on Google and search engines
It doesn't look professional which reduces trust and makes it less likely someone will buy from you
You don't really own it and anyone can buy your domain name (yourbusiness.com)

We've tested dozens of web hosting providers over the years at Media Seeds. Our experience shows that a good host can save you time and hassle managing your site. It can also help you rank better in search results, leading to more traffic and sales.

There are many types of web hosting to choose from, including shared, WordPress, VPS, cloud, and dedicated hosting. Each has its pros and cons for different business needs and budgets.

But here's the bottom line...

For your local business the hosting likely doesn't matter. All that matters is that your site loads quickly, works, is safe and secure and customers trust your business.

Ongoing Costs With a Website (Do I Really Need This?)

Running a website involves more than just the initial setup. There are ongoing expenses to keep things ticking along smoothly.

Let's break down the essential costs and a few optional extras.

Website Hosting and Domain Name

Web hosting is a must-have for any website. It's where your site lives on the internet.

Prices can start as low as £2 per month for basic shared hosting. But be careful - cheap hosts often raise prices later and skimp on support.

We recommend budgeting £10 to £30 monthly for quality hosting (Kinsta, BigScoots, Go High Level, WPX, Cloudways etc.) This usually includes good customer service and better performance.

Your domain name needs yearly renewal too. Most .com or .co.uk domains cost £10 to £15 per year. Some registrars offer the first year cheap, then bump up renewal fees. Always check the ongoing price.

Pro tip: Pay for several years upfront to lock in lower rates and save money in the long run.

SSL Certificate and Maintenance

An SSL certificate is crucial for website security. It encrypts data and shows visitors your site is trustworthy.

Many hosts now offer free basic SSL certificates. If you need a higher-level certificate for e-commerce, expect to pay £50 to £200 yearly.

Regular maintenance keeps your site running smoothly. This includes updating software, checking for errors, and backing up data.

If you're tech-savvy, you can do this yourself. If not, consider a maintenance plan. These typically cost £50 to £200 monthly, depending on your site's complexity.

It's a great way to have peace of mind that someone is there to sort out your website in case it ever goes down or isn't being responsive. You don't have to spend hours figuring it out just send a text or email and they'll sort it for you.

Other Costs (Optional)

There are several optional extras that can enhance your website:

Email hosting: £2 to £5 per user monthly for professional email addresses
Content creation: £50 to £500+ per piece for blog posts or articles
SEO services: £300 to £2,000+ monthly for ongoing optimisation (check our pricing here)
Analytics tools: Free to £100+ monthly for in-depth data analysis

Remember, you don't need all these extras right away. Start with the essentials and add services as your site grows. This approach helps manage costs while still providing a professional online presence.

Also this is why getting someone to run your SEO or maintenance is great as they will likely already have these tools. For example some tools we use are Ahrefs, Go High Level and Google Workspace adding up to hundreds of pounds a month.

Understanding Web Hosting Services

Web hosting services are essential for getting websites online. They provide the space and tools needed to make a site accessible on the internet.

Let's explore the basics and different types of hosting solutions.

The Basics of Web Hosting

Web hosting is like renting space on a computer connected to the internet. This computer, called a server, stores all your website's files.

When someone types your web address, the server sends those files to their device.

We need web hosting because most of us can't keep our own servers running 24/7. It's too complex and costly. Hosting companies do this job for us. They make sure our sites stay online, load quickly, and stay safe from attacks.

Good web hosts offer extras like email accounts, easy-to-use control panels, and help when things go wrong. Some even help with setting up your site or moving it from another host.

Different Types of Hosting Solutions

There are several hosting types to choose from. Each fits different needs and budgets.

Shared hosting is the cheapest. Your site shares a server with others. It's great for small sites but can be slow if your neighbours use too many resources.

VPS hosting gives you your own slice of a server.

It's faster and more reliable than shared hosting. You get more control but need some tech skills.

Dedicated hosting means you get a whole server to yourself. It's the most powerful option but also the priciest. Big, busy sites often need this.

Cloud hosting spreads your site across many servers. It's very reliable and can handle sudden traffic spikes well.

WordPress hosting is made just for WordPress sites. It often comes with special features to make WordPress run better.

Reseller hosting lets you sell hosting to others. It's good if you want to start your own hosting business.

Most small local businesses are fine on a shared hosting like with Bluehost. See the locations we serve here.

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Selecting the Right Web Hosting Provider

Choosing a web hosting provider is crucial for your website's success. Let's explore the key factors to consider and compare some top providers to help you make an informed decision.

Factors to Consider

When picking a web host, we need to look at several important things.

First, think about how much storage and bandwidth you need. This depends on your website's size and expected traffic. Again most local businesses won't need too much here.

Next, check the uptime guarantee. Look for providers that offer at least 99.9% uptime.

Speed is also vital. Fast loading times keep visitors happy and help with search rankings. Make sure the host uses solid-state drives (SSDs) for better performance.

Don't forget about customer support. 24/7 help can be a lifesaver if something goes wrong.

Lastly, think about your budget and the features you get for your money. Some hosts offer extras like free domain names or SSL certificates.

Comparing Top Providers

Let's look at some popular web hosting companies.

Bluehost is great for beginners, especially if you're using WordPress. They offer good value and easy setup.

SiteGround stands out for its speedy servers and top-notch support. They're a bit pricier, but the quality is worth it for many users.

HostGator is known for its affordable plans and user-friendly control panel. They're a good choice if you're on a tight budget.

For those who need more power, A2 Hosting offers fast VPS and dedicated servers. Their plans come with a lot of features, but they can be complex for newbies.

GoDaddy is popular and offers a wide range of services, but their hosting plans can be basic compared to others.

My personal recommendation for most people is Cloudways. It's a reasonable price (and no hidden fees like many others), has good support and is more than enough for any local business.

Or you can go with a solution like Go High Level where they have tons of other features such as CRM software, automations for texts and emails, good conversion focused websites etc.

Always read reviews and compare features before making your final choice.

Additional Web Hosting Features

Web hosting services offer more than just space for your website. They provide tools to boost your online presence and protect your business. Let's explore some key features that can help your site thrive.

You can find the other services we offer here.

Security and Reliability

A good web host keeps your site safe and online.

SSL certificates are a must-have to encrypt data and build trust with visitors. We've seen how they can increase conversions by up to 30%.

DDoS protection shields your site from attacks that could take it offline.

Look for hosts with a 99.9% uptime guarantee or better. This means less downtime and more sales for you.

Some top providers even offer a 99.9999% uptime guarantee. That's less than 32 seconds of downtime per year!

Global data centres are another plus. They speed up your site for visitors around the world. This can lead to better search rankings and more sales.

Performance Enhancements

Speed matters for your website's success.

Content management systems like WordPress can slow things down if not optimised. That's why managed WordPress hosting is so popular. It takes care of updates and tweaks for you.

Website builders are great for getting online quickly. They often come with templates and drag-and-drop tools. This saves you time and money on web design.

However it can still be fiddly to figure out. So check out our web design services here.

Caching is another speed booster. It stores parts of your site for faster loading. Some hosts offer this as standard, which can really improve your site's performance.

E-commerce and Business Tools

If you're selling online, look for hosts with e-commerce features.

These can include shopping carts, payment gateways, and inventory management. They make it easier to run your online store and keep track of sales.

Email hosting is often included too. This gives you professional email addresses that match your domain. It looks more trustworthy than a free email service.

Some hosts offer special deals for nonprofits. These can include discounts or free services. It's worth checking if you run a charity or community group.

Backups are crucial for any business website. Make sure your host offers regular, automatic backups. This can save you if something goes wrong with your site.

Support and Maintenance in Web Hosting

Good web hosting isn't just about servers and bandwidth. It's about having a reliable team to help when things go wrong and keep your site running smoothly.

Importance of Customer Support

Quick and helpful customer support can make or break your website's success.

We've found that top hosting companies offer 24/7 support through multiple channels like live chat, phone, and email. This means you can get help any time, day or night.

Look for hosts with short wait times and knowledgeable staff. They should be able to solve both simple and complex issues.

Some hosts even offer proactive monitoring, spotting and fixing problems before you notice them.

Good support can save you hours of stress and keep your site online. This is crucial for keeping customers happy and avoiding lost sales.

Maintenance and Backup Services

Regular maintenance keeps your site safe and running well. Many hosts offer managed services that handle updates and security patches for you. This frees up your time to focus on your business.

Backups are a must-have. The best hosts provide automated backups, often daily or weekly. Some even offer free backups as part of their plans.

Having recent backups means you can quickly restore your site if something goes wrong.

We do this for you with our website maintenance.

Look for hosts that make it easy to create and restore backups yourself. This gives you more control and peace of mind. Some hosts also offer malware scanning and removal to keep your site safe from threats.

The bottom line for most local businesses is that they do not want to focus on the nitty gritty of a website. That's why using a service such as ours is so beneficial. We'll take care of all your website needs including hosting giving you the time you need to focus on what is really important.