1) What website hosting is
Website hosting stores your site on a server and sends your pages to visitors. The server runs system software, a web server, and a database. Your site files sit on top of that stack.
A domain is your name. DNS is your address book. Hosting is your house. This simple map helps you plan upgrades and fixes in the right layer.
Key terms in plain English
- Uptime: the time your site stays online.
- Bandwidth: the amount of data your site can send.
- Storage: the space for files and databases.
- SSL: the lock that keeps data private.
- CDN: a network that serves your files from many cities to cut delay.
- Cache: a “ready-to-serve” copy that speeds up delivery.
Why speed and stability matter
The average page load is 2.5 seconds on desktop and 8.6 seconds on mobile. Faster pages win more clicks, more calls, and more sales. Slower pages leak revenue.
Google’s Core Web Vitals set clear targets: LCP ≤ 2.5s, INP ≤ 200ms, CLS ≤ 0.1. Hit these, and users feel your site as fast and steady.
Also note a recent change: INP replaced FID as a Core Web Vital on March 12, 2024. Any old reports that mention FID are legacy now. web.devGoogle for Developers
2) Hosting types and who they fit
Shared hosting
You share a server with many sites. You pay less. You get fewer resources. This fits a simple brochure site with low traffic. My Business Web Design uses shared hosting primarily
Managed WordPress hosting
The host handles WordPress updates, backups, and cache. You get staging and one-click restores. This fits most service firms and local shops.
VPS (virtual private server)
You get dedicated virtual CPU, RAM, and storage. You control software versions. This fits growing sites, custom apps, and busy WooCommerce stores.
Cloud hosting
You scale resources on demand. You pay for what you use. This fits sites with spikes from ads, events, or seasonal demand.
Dedicated server
You rent the whole machine. You gain full control and high power. This fits heavy apps, strict security rules, or large databases.
Static hosting (Jamstack)
You serve prebuilt pages over a CDN. You get fast loads and low attack surface. This fits docs, marketing pages, and simple sites.
Price bands you can expect
- Starter: $5–$15 per month.
- Mid: $20–$60 per month.
- High: $100+ per month.
Use these to frame quotes, not to select on price alone.
3) Performance factors that affect results
Uptime and availability
A 99.9% uptime SLA still allows about 8 hours and 46 minutes of downtime per year. Review SLAs and status pages, not slogans. uptime.is
Downtime hurts more than pride. A survey found businesses lose about five hours per month and one in five lose $2,500+ monthly from hosting issues. That is real money for a small firm. IT Pro
Hardware and storage
Pick SSD at minimum. NVMe storage cuts delay even more. NVMe can reach PCIe 4.0 speeds up to ~7,500 MB/s, while SATA SSDs cap near 600 MB/s. Faster disks help dynamic sites and search. Liquid Web
Server response time (TTFB)
Aim for a TTFB at or under ~0.8s for most users. This target lines up with current guidance from the Chrome team.
Concurrency and PHP workers
Dynamic sites do work per visitor. More PHP workers (or processes) means more simultaneous requests. Too few workers create queues. Ask the host for worker counts and how they scale.
Network and location
Pick a data center near your buyers to cut latency. Add a CDN for reach in other regions. A CDN can also improve TTFB for your largest assets.
Caching and HTTP tech
Look for server-level page cache, object cache support, and HTTP/2 or HTTP/3. These technologies reduce wait time and improve throughput.
Real targets you can track
- TTFB: ≤ 0.8s at the 75th percentile. web.dev
- LCP: ≤ 2.5s at the 75th percentile.
- INP: ≤ 200ms at the 75th percentile.
- CLS: ≤ 0.1 at the 75th percentile.
Why this matters to sales
Portent’s research shows faster sites convert better. A site that loads in 1 second can show a conversion rate up to 3x higher than a site that loads in 5 seconds. Speed is not vanity; speed is revenue. HubSpot Blog
4) Security and data protection
SSL/TLS by default
Your plan should include free SSL with auto renewals. No lock icon is a trust leak.
Backups that you can restore
Ask for daily backups, at least 7–30 days of retention, and one-click restore. Ask if the host stores backups off-site.
Isolation and scanning
Account isolation reduces cross-site risks on shared servers. A web app firewall and automated malware scans help you catch issues early.
Patch cadence
You want automatic security updates for the OS, PHP, and WordPress core. You still need to test major version jumps in staging.
Access controls
Use 2FA for the panel. Use SSH/SFTP for file access. Limit access to named users. Use IP allowlists for sensitive tools.
Compliance
For online payments, review PCI needs with your payment processor. For privacy, check how logs and backups handle personal data.
5) Features and support that save time
Clear control panel
You need to add domains, spin up staging, manage PHP versions, and read logs without a manual. cPanel, Plesk, or a clean custom panel can work. Pick clarity.
Free migration
Ask the host to migrate your site at no cost. A good vendor moves WordPress sites daily. They know common snags and fix them fast.
Staging sites
You should test updates and new pages in staging. Then push live with a click. This reduces downtime and mistakes.
Email hosting and sending
Confirm whether the plan includes mailboxes. Check SMTP sending limits and transactional mail rules. You may still route critical mail through a service like Mailgun or Amazon SES for deliverability.
DNS management
Fast DNS matters. Ask for quick record updates, DNSSEC support, and clear TTL control.
Monitoring and status
You want an uptime page, incident notes, and a timeline for fixes. Your team should get alerts if the site fails health checks.
Support scope and speed
Look for 24/7 chat or tickets, with phone as a bonus. A solid target is a first reply in under 10 minutes on live chat. Test this during your trial.
6) Pricing, contracts, and fine print
Intro vs renewal
Many hosts offer low first-term pricing. Renewal often jumps. Note both numbers before you buy.
Resource caps
Ask about storage (GB), bandwidth, inode limits, database count, and file size limits. These caps can block growth or slow backups.
Overages and throttles
What happens if you spike traffic? You might see automatic throttling, extra fees, or both. Get this in writing.
Plugin or feature bans
Managed WordPress plans sometimes block certain plugins that clash with their cache. Confirm any bans before a migration.
Plan changes
Ask about upgrade paths, downgrade rules, and pro-rated billing. Your site will grow. Your plan should flex with you.
Trials and refunds
Look for a 30-day money-back policy or a real trial. Use that window to test performance, support, and backups for yourself.
Exit plan
Confirm that you can export backups, databases, and emails. Confirm that there are no fees to leave. A clean exit reduces risk if you need to switch.
7) How to choose: quick checklist and sample paths
Step 1: define your needs
Write down your CMS, page count, average traffic, and peak loads. Note any special use cases, like online booking or gated files.
Step 2: set a budget band
Pick a band that matches your risk and growth plan:
- Starter if you run a very small site with steady low traffic.
- Mid if you need staging, better support, and more control.
- High if you run paid traffic, stores, or custom apps.
Step 3: shortlist three hosts
Match your use case and your budget. Score features that save time in your day. Add storage type (NVMe vs SATA) and data-center location to your scorecard. Faster disks and closer regions reduce wait time. Liquid Web
Step 4: run a 48-hour test
Deploy your site. Run a speed test from two cities where your buyers live. Check TTFB, LCP, INP, CLS, and pass rates at the 75th percentile. Use a CDN if your buyers sit in many regions.
Step 5: stress the basics
- Open five pages at once to mimic real use.
- Run a backup and then restore it to staging.
- Break a page on purpose, open a support ticket, and time the first reply.
- Monitor uptime for two days. Remember the math: 99.9% still means ~8h 46m downtime per year.
Step 6: read the fine print
Check renewal pricing, overage rules, and exit steps. Ask about plugin bans and email send limits.
Step 7: make the call and document it
Pick the host that clears your speed and support goals at a renewal price you accept. Save contacts, SLAs, and setup notes. Schedule monthly checks for backups and Web Vitals.
Sample picks by scenario
Local brochure site
Choose Managed WordPress, starter plan. You want free SSL, daily backups, staging, NVMe if offered, and a CDN toggle. This gives you simple tools and enough speed headroom.
Service firm with online booking
Choose Managed WordPress or VPS, mid plan. You want higher PHP worker limits, NVMe storage, and on-demand backups. Bookings create peaks. Your plan should handle peaks without queues.
Store with ad spikes
Choose Cloud hosting with auto-scale and a CDN. You want cache rules that fit WooCommerce or your cart, plus a staging site to test updates. Watch INP during sales since scripts pile up fast. INP is now a primary signal, so keep it clean.
Practical FAQs for small business owners
Do I need NVMe?
If your site is dynamic or runs search, yes. NVMe cuts I/O wait. This helps PHP, MySQL, and admin tasks. It also helps during traffic spikes. SATA SSD can work for tiny sites, but NVMe is a safe default now. Liquid Web
How fast is “fast enough”?
Use Core Web Vitals as your line. Aim for LCP ≤ 2.5s, INP ≤ 200ms, CLS ≤ 0.1, at the 75th percentile for your users. If you pass that line, your site feels smooth to most visitors.
What about TTFB goals?
Target ≤ 0.8s for most users. If you can reach ~0.3–0.5s on key pages, even better. Faster TTFB helps LCP and crawl budget. web.dev+1
How much does downtime cost?
Do a quick estimate: lost revenue per hour + idle wages + recovery costs. Industry surveys show the total adds up fast, and many firms report thousands per month from hosting issues alone. IT Pro
A short buyer’s checklist you can copy
Host basics
- Free SSL with auto renewals
- Daily backups (7–30 days) + one-click restore
- NVMe storage on plans you consider
- Staging site included
- Clear panel (cPanel, Plesk, or clean custom)
- 24/7 support with chat and phone
Performance
- Data center near your customers
- CDN included or easy to add
- Server cache and object cache
- PHP worker limits shown in plan
- HTTP/2 or HTTP/3 enabled
- Real status page with history
Security
- Account isolation on shared plans
- Web app firewall and malware scans
- OS/PHP/WordPress security updates
- 2FA and SSH/SFTP access
Contract
- Renewal price shown next to intro price
- Resource caps and overage rules listed
- No fee to leave; easy backup exports
- Upgrade and downgrade policy explained
- 30-day money-back or free trial
Metrics to watch
- Uptime SLA and real status track
- TTFB at or under ~0.8s
- LCP ≤ 2.5s, INP ≤ 200ms, CLS ≤ 0.1
- Support first-reply time under 10 minutes
- Downtime minutes per month
Final take
Pick hosting like you pick a truck for work. You want power that fits the job, parts that are easy to service, and help that shows up fast. Speed and uptime drive revenue. The data is clear: faster sites convert better, and downtime drains cash.
Start with a short list. Test for two days. Measure Web Vitals and support speed. Read the fine print. Then buy with confidence and move on to growing your business.
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