Every website you visit lives on a computer somewhere, switched on day and night and connected to the internet. That computer is called a server, and renting space on one is called web hosting. If your business wants a website or email on its own domain, such as info@yourbusiness.co.zw, it needs hosting.
Domain, hosting and website: three different things
People often mix these up, so here is the simplest way to think about them:
- Domain name: your address, for example yourbusiness.co.zw. You register it for a year or more.
- Hosting: the space where your website files and email accounts are stored. You pay for it monthly or yearly.
- Website: the pages people see, built with WordPress or another tool, and stored on your hosting.
The domain points to the hosting, and the hosting serves the website. You need all three to be online.
The main types of hosting
Shared hosting
Many websites share one powerful server, and each account gets its own space and limits. It is the most affordable option and is right for most small business websites, blogs and company profiles. Our web hosting plans start at $2.99 a month and include cPanel, free SSL and daily backups.
WordPress hosting
Shared hosting set up for WordPress, the tool behind a large share of the world’s websites. See WordPress hosting.
VPS hosting
A virtual private server gives you your own slice of a server with guaranteed CPU and memory, and full control. It suits busy online shops, business systems and developers. See VPS hosting.
Cloud and dedicated servers
For larger organisations that need more power, flexibility or a whole machine to themselves. See cloud and servers.
What is included with good hosting?
- A control panel such as cPanel, to manage files, email and databases without technical skills.
- Free SSL, so your site loads on https:// and browsers do not mark it “Not secure”.
- Business email on your own domain.
- Backups, so a mistake or a hack is not the end of your website.
- Support you can reach, ideally local and on WhatsApp.
How much hosting does a small business need?
A typical company profile site with a few pages, a contact form and five email accounts fits comfortably on an entry-level plan. If you run several websites, an online shop or many mailboxes, choose a bigger plan. You can upgrade later without moving your website.
Next steps
- Search for your domain, for example a .co.zw. See how to register a .co.zw.
- Pick a hosting plan. Annual plans include a free .co.zw domain.
- Build your site with WordPress, or ask about our business packages if you want it built for you.
Not sure what you need? WhatsApp our Harare team on 078 377 1089 and we will recommend a plan.