A simple guide for web designers
If you’ve ever tried to build or update your website and felt your eyes glaze over at the word “hosting,” you’re not alone. Hosting is one of those behind the scenes essentials that everyone talks about, yet no one really explains in plain English. So let’s do that.
Here’s the simplest way to think about it.
Hosting is the land your website lives on
Imagine your website is your home.
- Your domain is the address. It tells people where to find you.
- Your website hosting is the land your home sits on. Without land, your house has nowhere to exist.
- Your email hosting is the mailbox attached to the home. It lets you send and receive mail using your own address, not a generic one.
Once people picture it this way, hosting suddenly stops feeling techy and starts feeling logical. A website needs a place to live, and hosting is simply that place
So what does website hosting actually do?
Hosting stores all the bits that make up your site.
The words, images, buttons, layouts, and everything in between live on a server so your website can load when someone types in your domain.
Without hosting, your site isn’t visible to anyone.
It’s like having beautifully designed house plans but no land to build on.
That’s really the gist of it.
Hosting works differently depending on the platform you choose
Here’s where most people get confused, so let’s keep it simple.
WordPress.org
With WordPress.org, you pick your own hosting provider. Think of it like buying a block of land and then instead of a house, your website is a caravan, so you have the ability to move to new “blocks of land’ aka hosting providers if you need to.
You get more flexibility and long term control, but, unless you are working with a provider like The Island Creative you also need to manage the hosting yourself.
For most service based businesses, this is a solid option when paired with a reliable hosting provider.
Wix, Squarespace, Shopify
These platforms bundle the hosting in with access to their website design functions. Think of it more like your site being in a rental, rather than owning your site.
Everything is taken care of, but you have fewer customisation options and often pay more over time for convenience. You also cannot move your website from these providers to a different one easily (usually it’s a process of manually copying and pasting!).
Neither option is “wrong.” It just depends on your goals, your tech comfort level, and how much flexibility you want later.
What about email hosting?
Email hosting lets you use your domain name for your emails. Instead of a personal address like [email protected], you can send messages from something professional like [email protected]
This small shift builds trust quickly. It also makes your business look like it has its act together, even on the days you feel otherwise. Some tools like email marketing programs also now require you to have a domain name email to prove authenticity.
Our top choice for email hosting is Google Workspace because it’s simple, reliable, affordable, and integrates beautifully with tools you probably already use.
The bottom line
Here’s where If you clicked into this post thinking “I have no idea what hosting is,” the goal was to help you walk away thinking “Oh right. That actually makes sense.”
- Your domain is the address.
- Your hosting is the land.
- Your website is the house.
Once you understand those basics, everything else becomes much easier to navigate.
What exactly is website hosting?
Website hosting is the service that stores all the files that make up your website so people can access it online. Think of it as the land your website lives on.
Do I really need hosting for my website?
Yes. Without hosting, your site has nowhere to exist on the internet. It’s like having house plans with no land to build on.
What’s the difference between a domain and hosting?
A domain is your web address. Hosting is the space where your website sits. You need both for a functioning site.
Is hosting included with WordPress?
With WordPress.org, no. You choose your own hosting provider. With WordPress.com, Wix, Squarespace, and Shopify, hosting is included in the package.
Why would I choose a platform where I have to sort out hosting myself?
Because it gives you more flexibility, long term control, and room to grow. Many businesses prefer this once they realise they’re not actually locked into a single platform. Plus when. youwork with us, we sort out your website hosting for you.
What is email hosting and do I need it?
Email hosting lets you use your custom domain for email, like [email protected]. It’s not required, but it’s a simple way to look more professional and build trust.
How do I know which hosting provider to choose?
Start with reliability, support, and simplicity. You don’t need the fanciest plan, you just need something stable that won’t disappear on you when you need it most. Also, cheap and nasty is VERY much a thing in the website world, please please please be put off by providers who use big flashy marketing! We love and recommend VentraIP.
Can I switch hosting providers later?
Absolutely. It can feel a bit fiddly, but it’s doable. Many businesses move hosts as their needs change or they want better performance and support. Note: if. you utilise a platform like WIX, Squarespace, Shopify etc, then you are not able to change hosting providers as they are an all in one product.
