Every website needs a place to live. Think of it like this: your domain name is your website’s address, but web hosting is the actual house. Without hosting, your site has nowhere to exist online.
In this guide, we’ll explain what web hosting is, whether you need it, how much it costs, and why WordPress hosting often ends up being the smartest choice for businesses.
What Is Web Hosting?
Put simply, web hosting is the service that keeps your website online. It’s the storage space where all of your site’s files, images, and content sit - and it’s what makes those files accessible to anyone who visits your website.
Imagine renting a unit in a shopping centre. You bring your products (website content), set up your display (design), and open the doors to customers (visitors). The landlord provides the space, lighting, and security. That’s hosting in a nutshell.
Some common search terms you might see when doing some research into web hosting - what is website hosting, what does web hosting mean, what is a web hosting service - all come back to the same idea: it’s the online “real estate” for your website.
Do I Really Need Web Hosting?
The (extremely) short answer: yes.
Every website needs hosting to be visible online. The only exception is if you’re using an all-in-one builder like Wix or Squarespace - they typically bundle hosting into the monthly price you pay. But for WordPress websites (and WordPress powers over 40% of websites), you need your own hosting plan.
Good hosting makes the difference between a site that’s fast, secure, and always online, versus one that’s slow, vulnerable, or keeps crashing. And when customers expect instant loading times, you can’t really afford to cut corners - it could be (and quite a lot is) the difference between making the sale and not.
Web Hosting vs Domain
A common confusion is the difference between a domain and hosting.
- Domain: This is your web address (e.g. convrtem.com).
- Hosting: This is where your site’s files live and how people can access them.
Think of it like posting a letter: the domain is the address written on the front of the envelope, while hosting is the actual house where the letter is being delivered. You need both for a functioning website nowadays.
Web Hosting vs Website Maintenance
Another common question we hear is the difference between website hosting and website maintenance.
- Hosting keeps your website online.
- Maintenance keeps it running smoothly.
Maintenance tends to cover updates, backups, security monitoring, fixing bugs, and making sure your site doesn’t break when WordPress needs an update or plugins release new versions.
A lot of business owners think once their site is live, the job’s done and sorted. Without ongoing maintenance though, websites quickly become outdated or vulnerable. That’s why our WordPress hosting and maintenance packages bundle both - you get secure, reliable hosting plus the peace of mind that your site is always looked after.
How Much Does Web Hosting Cost?
Hosting prices vary a lot, and there's a lot of them dotting around online. In the UK, you’ll see basic plans for as little as £5-10 a month, all the way up to £30–£40+ for higher-tier packages.
But here’s the catch: cheap hosting often means crammed servers, poor support, and painfully slow sites. For a personal blog, that might be fine. For a business website, slow loading times mean lost customers in a lot of cases.
At Convrtem, our WordPress hosting plans start at £19/month. That includes:
- Green web hosting, powered by renewable energy
- Lightning-fast, UK-based servers optimised for WordPress
- Unlimited business email accounts
- SSL security as standard
- Regular backups
- Fully featured CDN
- Web security features
- No hidden extras
In other words, you’re not just paying for server space - you’re paying for performance, security, and peace of mind.
How to Select a Web Hosting Company
Choosing the right host can feel overwhelming, but here’s what really matters:
- Speed & Performance - Ideally you'd like a fast website, so your hosting should be fast. Google and your customers both expect instant load times.
- Security - Look for SSL, malware protection, and backups. A hacked website isn’t just embarrassing and inconvenient- it can cost you sales and trust.
- Support - When something goes wrong (and it will, eventually), you want experts who understand WordPress. Not a call centre that takes three days to reply.
- WordPress Optimisation - Not all hosts are built for WordPress. A managed WordPress hosting plan ensures everything is tuned for the platform you’re using.
- Scalability - As your business grows, your hosting should grow with you.
At Convrtem, our hosting ticks all of these boxes. We specialise in managed WordPress hosting for UK businesses. That means you get the speed, security, and expert support you need - without the technical headaches, and with a team that's always around to give advice and support.
Final Thoughts from Convrtem
Every website needs hosting. It’s what keeps you online, visible, and open for business. But not all hosting is created equal.
If you’re running a WordPress website, choosing managed WordPress hosting is the best way to keep your site fast, secure, and stress-free.
Ready to simplify your hosting and maintenance? Check out our WordPress Hosting & Maintenance packages.