In our series of frequently asked questions, we explore some of the terms you may hear in relation to website design - what is web hosting?

Web hosting is the provision of space on a web server to store your website. The web hosting company will also provide connectivity to the server so your website can be accessed by people using the public internet.  You usually “rent” this space for a monthly fee (sometimes discounted if you pay annually).

We offer web hosting with the websites we design. If you are selecting a new hosting solution 3 things you should consider are:

• Type - The main options for hosting are shared, virtual private server (VPS), dedicated or cloud.  Shared is where the web server is shared with other websites. It is often the cheapest solution and the most popular solution for small business websites.
• Reliability -You want to ensure that your website is always available. So a host provider with reliable servers is a must. Look for a minimum uptime figure of 99%, preferably 99.5%
• Technical Support - Setting up your hosting can be complex. When things go wrong it can be difficult to find the root of the problem, so ensure you can get technical support from your provider as and when you need it.