If you’re creating a website for the first time, you’ve probably heard the term web hosting.
But what does web hosting actually mean?
Do you need it for your website?
How does it work?
And how much should you expect to pay?
Put simply, web hosting is the service that stores your website and makes it available on the internet.
Every time someone visits your website, their browser needs to retrieve your website’s files from a server. Web hosting provides the server infrastructure that stores those files and delivers them to your visitors.
If you have a WordPress website, business website, blog or online store, you need somewhere for that website to live.
That’s what web hosting provides.
Web hosting explained in simple terms
One of the easiest ways to understand web hosting is to compare your website to a physical business.
Your domain name is your business address.
Your website is your shop or office.
Your web hosting is the building where your business operates.
For example, imagine your business is called Example Business.
Your domain might be:
examplebusiness.com.au
When someone enters that address into their browser, their device needs to find the server where your website is stored.
The hosting server then delivers the website’s files to the visitor’s browser.
The browser uses those files to display your website.
So the basic process looks like this:
Visitor → Domain → Hosting Server → Website → Visitor’s Browser
Without web hosting, there is nowhere for your publicly accessible website to live.
What is a web hosting server?
A web hosting server is a computer designed to store and deliver websites and other online services.
Unlike the computer sitting on your desk, web servers are designed to remain connected to the internet and respond to requests from visitors.
A hosting server can store things such as:
- Website files
- Images
- Videos
- Databases
- WordPress files
- Emails
- Applications
- Other website data
When someone visits your website, the server processes their request and sends the required information back to their device.
Your hosting provider is responsible for providing and maintaining the infrastructure that makes this possible.
How does web hosting actually work?
Let’s say someone searches for your website.
They type:
into their browser.
Several things happen.
Step 1: The domain is looked up
Your domain name is connected to your hosting environment through the Domain Name System, commonly called DNS.
DNS helps translate a human-readable domain name into the information computers need to find the correct server.
Step 2: The browser connects to your hosting server
Once the correct server is identified, the visitor’s browser sends a request for your website.
Step 3: Your server responds
The server retrieves the files and data needed to generate the requested page.
Step 4: The website loads
The visitor’s browser receives the information and displays your website.
This all happens extremely quickly.
You don’t need to manually perform these steps every time somebody visits your website. Your hosting environment handles the underlying infrastructure automatically.
Why do I need web hosting?
A common question from people building their first website is:
“Can’t I just create my website without hosting?”
You can create a website locally on your computer without hosting.
But if you want people around the world to access that website through your domain, it needs to be hosted somewhere that is connected to the internet.
That’s where a hosting company comes in.
Instead of purchasing and maintaining your own server, you rent space and resources from a hosting provider.
The hosting provider handles much of the underlying infrastructure while you focus on your website.
What is the difference between a domain and web hosting?
This is one of the most common things new website owners confuse.
Your domain name is the address of your website.
Your web hosting is where your website is stored.
For example:
Domain: hbhosting.com.au
Hosting: The server infrastructure where the HBHosting website and its files are stored.
A simple analogy is:
Domain = your address
Hosting = your building
Website = what’s inside the building
You generally need both a domain and hosting to operate a normal self-hosted website.
Some hosting providers sell domains and hosting separately, while others bundle them together.
What is the difference between web hosting and a website builder?
Website builders such as Wix and other all-in-one website platforms generally combine several services into one package.
You typically get:
- Website-building software
- Hosting
- Templates
- Some additional features
With self-hosted WordPress, the setup is different.
You choose a hosting provider, install WordPress and have greater control over your website and hosting environment.
This can give you more flexibility over:
- Themes
- Plugins
- Website files
- Databases
- Hosting providers
- Performance
- Security
- Custom development
That’s one reason WordPress is so popular.
You aren’t necessarily tied to one company for the entire life of your website.
What is WordPress hosting?
WordPress hosting is hosting designed or optimised for websites running WordPress.
WordPress itself is free software, but it needs a suitable hosting environment to operate.
Good WordPress hosting should support the technologies WordPress requires and provide a suitable environment for:
- WordPress core
- Themes
- Plugins
- Databases
- PHP
- SSL
- Backups
- Security
Some providers also add WordPress-specific services such as automatic updates, performance optimisation and managed support.
HBHosting’s current hosting plans are WordPress optimised, with different levels of optimisation depending on the plan. (HBHosting Australian Web Hosting)
View HBHosting’s Australian WordPress Hosting →
What are the different types of web hosting?
There isn’t just one type of web hosting.
Different types are designed for different websites.
Shared hosting
Shared hosting is one of the most common types of hosting.
Multiple websites use resources on the same server environment.
Because those resources are shared, shared hosting is generally more affordable.
It can be suitable for:
- Small business websites
- Blogs
- Personal websites
- Startup websites
- Smaller WordPress websites
Shared hosting doesn’t automatically mean poor hosting.
A well-configured shared hosting environment can provide more than enough performance for many ordinary websites.
Managed WordPress hosting
Managed WordPress hosting provides more assistance with the technical side of running WordPress.
Depending on the provider, this may include:
- WordPress updates
- Plugin updates
- Backups
- Security
- Performance optimisation
- Technical support
- Website management
This can be useful for business owners who don’t want to spend their time managing WordPress.
HBHosting’s Business and Managed Hosting plans include automated WordPress, theme and plugin updates along with additional levels of support and website assistance. (HBHosting Australian Web Hosting)
VPS hosting
A Virtual Private Server, or VPS, provides more dedicated resources and control than traditional shared hosting.
VPS hosting can be useful for:
- Larger websites
- Custom applications
- Higher traffic
- Development environments
- Businesses needing greater server control
Most new small business websites don’t need a VPS immediately.
Dedicated hosting
Dedicated hosting gives you an entire physical server.
This provides substantial control and resources, but it also costs significantly more and generally requires more technical knowledge.
Dedicated servers are typically used by larger websites, organisations or specialised applications.
What type of hosting does a small business need?
Most small businesses don’t need expensive dedicated servers.
A typical business website might have:
- Home
- About
- Services
- Contact
- Blog
- A few landing pages
For a website like this, reliable shared or managed WordPress hosting can often be sufficient.
The most important considerations are generally:
Reliability
Performance
Security
Backups
Support
Enough resources
Rather than purchasing the most expensive hosting available, choose a plan that matches your actual requirements.
Where should your website be hosted?
The physical location of your hosting infrastructure can matter.
If most of your customers are in Australia, choosing hosting infrastructure located in Australia can be a sensible option.
HBHosting operates its hosting infrastructure in Sydney, Australia, and provides Australian support. (HBHosting)
For Australian businesses, this can provide a hosting setup designed around an Australian audience.
However, server location isn’t the only factor affecting website speed.
Your website’s:
- Images
- Code
- Plugins
- Theme
- Caching
- Database
- Content delivery configuration
can all affect performance.
What should good web hosting include?
Not all hosting plans are created equal.
When comparing hosting providers, look at what is actually included.
SSL
SSL enables HTTPS and helps protect information exchanged between your website and visitors.
HBHosting includes free SSL across its current hosting plans. (HBHosting)
Backups
Backups provide a recovery option if something goes wrong with your website.
HBHosting includes daily backups with its current hosting plans. (HBHosting Australian Web Hosting)
Security
A hosting provider should provide sensible security protections around the hosting environment.
HBHosting’s infrastructure includes features such as firewall protection, exploit scanning, ModSecurity intrusion detection, brute-force protection and DDoS protection. (HBHosting Australian Web Hosting)
Support
Good support can be extremely valuable when you don’t know why your website isn’t working.
HBHosting provides Australian support, with priority and VIP support available on higher plans. (HBHosting Australian Web Hosting)
Migration
If you already have a website, moving it to a new host can involve files, databases, DNS and other configuration.
HBHosting includes free website migration as part of its hosting service. (HBHosting)
cPanel
HBHosting includes cPanel access, giving customers practical control over their hosting account, files, databases, email, domains and other settings. (HBHosting)
How much does web hosting cost?
Web hosting prices vary considerably.
Basic hosting can cost only a few dollars per month, while managed hosting and higher-resource environments can cost $50 or significantly more.
For most Australian small businesses, bloggers and startups, you don’t necessarily need expensive hosting.
HBHosting currently offers three primary plans:
Essential Hosting — $10/month
Designed for smaller websites and customers who primarily want reliable WordPress hosting.
The current plan includes:
- 5GB SSD storage
- 200GB bandwidth
- 1GB RAM
- WordPress optimisation
- Free SSL
- Daily backups
- Free migration
- Security features
- cPanel
(HBHosting Australian Web Hosting)
Business Hosting — $25/month
Designed for growing businesses wanting additional resources and support.
It currently includes:
- 15GB SSD storage
- 300GB bandwidth
- 2GB RAM
- WordPress optimisation
- Automated updates
- Free SSL
- Daily backups
- Free migration
- Priority support
- 3 minor website edits per month
- cPanel
(HBHosting Australian Web Hosting)
Managed Hosting — $50/month
Designed for businesses wanting more hands-on management.
It currently includes:
- 30GB SSD storage
- 400GB bandwidth
- 3GB RAM
- Full WordPress optimisation
- Automated updates
- Premium security
- Resource monitoring
- VIP support
- 6 minor website edits per month
- Free SSL
- Daily backups
- Free migration
- cPanel
(HBHosting Australian Web Hosting)
Compare HBHosting’s Australian Web Hosting Plans →
What is managed web hosting?
Managed hosting means your hosting provider takes more responsibility for the technical side of running your website.
With basic hosting, you may be expected to manage:
- WordPress updates
- Plugin updates
- Website changes
- Troubleshooting
- Other maintenance
With managed hosting, more of that work can be handled for you.
The exact definition of “managed” varies from one provider to another, so always check what is actually included.
HBHosting’s Managed Hosting plan includes automated updates, resource monitoring, premium security, VIP support and six minor website edits per month. (HBHosting Australian Web Hosting)
For a busy business owner, that can provide considerably more value than simply renting server space.
Why do website owners need backups?
Imagine your website has been running for five years.
You’ve published hundreds of blog posts.
You’ve added dozens of pages.
You’ve received enquiries through your forms.
Then something goes wrong.
Without a backup, recovering the website could be significantly more difficult.
Backups provide a way to restore your website to an earlier point.
This is one reason you should never choose hosting without checking exactly how the provider’s backup system works.
HBHosting includes daily backups across its current hosting plans.
Is web hosting the same as website maintenance?
No.
Hosting and maintenance are related, but they aren’t necessarily the same service.
Web hosting provides the infrastructure that stores and serves your website.
Website maintenance involves keeping the website itself updated and making changes.
For example:
Hosting: Your website is stored on a server.
Maintenance: WordPress, plugins and themes are updated.
Hosting: Your server is available.
Maintenance: You change your homepage text.
Hosting: The server stores your database.
Maintenance: You add a new blog post.
Some hosting companies provide only hosting.
Others provide additional website management.
HBHosting combines hosting with website assistance on selected plans, including monthly minor website edits on Business and Managed Hosting.
What are website edits?
Website edits are changes made to the content or appearance of your website.
For example:
- Changing text
- Replacing an image
- Updating contact details
- Changing a button
- Updating a menu
- Uploading a blog post
- Adding a product
HBHosting’s Business Hosting plan currently includes three minor website edits per month, while Managed Hosting includes six. (HBHosting)
This is particularly useful for business owners who know what they want changed but don’t necessarily want to log into WordPress and make the changes themselves.
See Hosting Plans With Website Edits →
Can I host my own website at home?
Technically, yes.
You can run a web server from your own home internet connection.
However, doing so means you’re responsible for:
- Server hardware
- Internet connectivity
- Electricity
- Security
- Backups
- Software updates
- Network configuration
- Downtime
- Troubleshooting
You may also encounter technical restrictions such as CGNAT or port-forwarding limitations.
For a learning project, home hosting can be interesting.
For a business website, professional hosting is generally much easier.
Read our detailed guide:
Can I Host My Own Website at Home?
Is web hosting important for SEO?
Web hosting isn’t the only factor affecting SEO, but it provides part of your website’s technical foundation.
Search engine visibility can be influenced by many things, including:
- Content quality
- Search intent
- Website structure
- Internal links
- Backlinks
- Mobile usability
- Website performance
- Technical SEO
- Website security
Good hosting doesn’t automatically make your website rank.
However, unreliable hosting, slow infrastructure or frequent downtime can contribute to a poor overall website experience.
That’s why hosting should be treated as one component of your broader SEO and website strategy.
Does WordPress include hosting?
It depends on which version of WordPress you’re using.
The self-hosted version of WordPress, commonly available through WordPress.org, is free software that you install on a hosting account.
You choose and pay for the hosting separately.
WordPress.com operates differently because its plans combine website software and hosting into a hosted platform.
For businesses wanting greater flexibility and control, self-hosted WordPress is often attractive because you can choose your hosting provider and have more control over your website environment.
Can I change my web host later?
Yes.
You’re not permanently locked into the first hosting company you choose.
A WordPress website can be moved between hosting providers.
You might choose to move because:
- Your website has grown
- Your current host is too slow
- Your support isn’t good enough
- Your hosting costs have increased
- You want Australian hosting
- You want managed hosting
- You want website editing assistance
HBHosting provides free website migration, making it easier for existing website owners to move their sites.
How do I choose the right web host?
Before purchasing hosting, consider:
Where are the servers located?
Is WordPress supported and optimised?
Are backups included?
Is SSL included?
What security is provided?
Who provides support?
Is migration included?
Do I get cPanel or another useful control panel?
How much storage and RAM do I receive?
Can I upgrade later?
What is the renewal price?
What else is included besides server space?
For a small Australian business, you should also ask:
Can the hosting company help me with my website?
That final question can make a significant difference.
Why choose HBHosting for web hosting?
HBHosting is an Australian web hosting provider with infrastructure located in Sydney.
Its hosting plans are designed for Australian website owners, including WordPress businesses, startups, bloggers and small Australian businesses.
HBHosting’s current hosting offering includes:
- Sydney-based hosting infrastructure
- WordPress optimisation
- Free SSL
- Daily backups
- Free website migration
- cPanel
- Security protection
- Australian support
Selected plans also include monthly website edits, providing practical assistance beyond the basic hosting service. (HBHosting Australian Web Hosting)
Plans currently start at $10/month, with Business Hosting at $25/month and Managed Hosting at $50/month.
View HBHosting’s Australian Web Hosting Plans →
Or visit the main HBHosting website:
Frequently Asked Questions About Web Hosting
What is web hosting in simple terms?
Web hosting is a service that stores your website’s files and makes them available to people on the internet.
Do I need web hosting for a website?
If you’re running a self-hosted website such as a self-hosted WordPress website, yes. You need a server somewhere to store the website and make it available online.
How much does web hosting cost?
Prices vary depending on the provider and hosting type. Basic hosting can cost a few dollars per month, while managed and higher-resource hosting can cost $50 or more per month.
What is the difference between a domain and hosting?
Your domain is your website’s address, while hosting is where your website’s files and data are stored.
What is the best hosting for WordPress?
The best WordPress hosting depends on your website. Look for suitable WordPress optimisation, performance, backups, security, SSL, support and enough resources.
Is WordPress hosting different from normal hosting?
WordPress hosting is usually configured or marketed specifically for WordPress websites. It may include WordPress optimisation, updates, security and additional support.
Do web hosts provide backups?
Some do and some don’t. Always check what is included. HBHosting currently includes daily backups with its hosting plans.
Can I host a website without WordPress?
Yes. WordPress is only one website platform. Hosting can also be used for other CMS platforms, custom-coded websites and applications.
Can I host my website at home?
Technically, yes, but you’ll be responsible for the hardware, internet connection, security, backups and maintenance. Professional hosting is generally a simpler option for business websites.
Where are HBHosting servers located?
HBHosting’s hosting infrastructure is located in Sydney, Australia.
Does HBHosting include website edits?
Yes, on selected plans. Business Hosting currently includes three minor website edits per month, while Managed Hosting includes six.
Final Thoughts: What Is Web Hosting?
Web hosting is the infrastructure that allows your website to exist on the internet.
When someone visits your domain, their browser connects to the server hosting your website and retrieves the information required to display the page.
There are different types of hosting available, including shared hosting, managed WordPress hosting, VPS hosting and dedicated hosting.
The right choice depends on your website.
For most Australian WordPress website owners, bloggers, startups and small businesses, you don’t need the most expensive hosting available.
You need hosting that is:
Reliable
Secure
Fast
Backed up
Well supported
Easy to manage
And ideally, you want a provider that can help when you need assistance with the website itself.
That’s what makes HBHosting different.
HBHosting combines Sydney-based Australian web hosting with WordPress optimisation, free SSL, daily backups, free migration, cPanel, security and Australian support, with website edits included on selected plans.
View HBHosting’s Australian Web Hosting Plans →
Your website needs somewhere reliable to live. Choose Australian hosting that gives you more than just server space.
