If you're setting up your first business website, you'll hear the word "hosting" almost immediately — usually with a price tag attached. Here's what it actually means, with no technical background needed.
The short answer
Every website is really just a collection of files — text, pictures, and design. For people to visit your website, those files need to sit on a computer that is connected to the internet 24 hours a day. Web hosting is simply renting space on such a computer, from a company whose job is to keep it running, fast, and secure.
Think of it like renting a shop: your domain name (yourbusiness.com) is the address, and hosting is the actual premises where your business lives.
Why can't I just use my own computer?
Technically you could — but your website would go offline every time your computer sleeps, restarts, or loses internet. It would also be slow for visitors far away, and exposed to attacks you'd have to fend off yourself. Hosting companies solve all of this: professional facilities, backup power, fast connections, and people watching over everything around the clock.
What am I actually paying for?
- Space and power — your files stored on fast machines with room for your visitors.
- Uptime — someone making sure your site is always reachable, including at 3am.
- Security — protection against attacks, plus the padlock (SSL certificate) browsers expect.
- Backups — copies of your site saved regularly, so mistakes and failures aren't disasters.
- Help — someone to ask when something confuses you. With us, that's a real person on chat or email, not a phone tree.
What does hosting cost?
For a small business site, typically $5–$50 per month depending on power and service level. Very cheap plans usually mean shared, crowded machines and slow support. Our plans start at $15/month with the padlock included and a real person answering around the clock — and no setup fees.
What's the difference between hosting and a website builder?
Website builders (like Wix or Squarespace) bundle simple design tools with hosting, in exchange for less control and higher long-term costs. Traditional hosting gives you a home where any website can live — one built by a designer, an online store, a WordPress site. If a professional is building your site, they'll usually expect proper hosting. (More on this in WordPress vs. website builders.)