Hosting is where your website lives: the computers that send your pages to visitors' phones and laptops. Every website needs it, and it's one of the most confusing purchases a small business owner makes. Hosting companies love upsells.
Here's what you actually need, what you don't, and what it should cost.
The four kinds of hosting you'll run into
| Type | What it is | Typical cost | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Website builder | Hosting bundled into Wix, Squarespace, etc. | ~$15–$50/month | DIY sites |
| Shared hosting | Your site shares a server with many others | ~$3–$15/month | Simple WordPress sites |
| Managed WordPress | Shared or dedicated resources, with updates handled | ~$25–$100/month | Busier WordPress sites |
| Static / CDN hosting | Pre-built pages served from a global network | Often free to low cost | Fast, simple business sites |
These are typical price ranges; promotional first-year prices often renew higher.
What a small business website actually needs
For a typical local business site with a handful of pages, a contact form, and a map, you need:
- SSL (the padlock). Browsers warn visitors about sites without it. It should be free and automatic.
- Speed on phones. Most local searches happen on mobile. Slow sites lose visitors.
- Uptime. Your site should simply be up. Any reputable host manages this.
- Backups. If something breaks, you want a way back.
- Someone to call. Either the host's support or whoever built your site.
That's genuinely it for most businesses.
What you probably don't need
- "Unlimited" storage and bandwidth. A five-page site uses almost none.
- Expensive security add-ons. Often redundant with what the host already provides, especially for non-WordPress sites.
- Paid email bundled with hosting. It's usually better to keep email separate so you can change hosts without losing it.
- Dedicated servers or VPS plans. Built for heavy traffic and custom apps, not a bakery's menu page.
Why static hosting is a great fit for small businesses
A static site is built ahead of time and served as plain pages from a content delivery network (CDN): servers around the world that deliver the site from close to each visitor. For a small business, that means:
- Fast, since there's no database to query on each visit
- Secure, with far fewer moving parts to hack than a plugin-heavy WordPress install
- Cheap or free, since many CDN platforms offer generous free tiers
The tradeoff: you can't log into a dashboard and edit pages yourself the way you would in WordPress. Someone with access makes changes. For most business owners who'd rather text "change our hours" than learn a CMS, that's a feature.
That's how we host every site at Bayou Labs. It's why we can build and host your website for free. If you want changes made for you, our Care Plan handles edits within 48 hours.
Questions to ask any host or web designer
- What does it cost after the first year?
- Is SSL included and automatic?
- How do backups work, and how do I restore one?
- If I leave, can I take my site and domain with me?
- Who do I contact if the site goes down?
The bottom line
Don't overbuy. A fast, secure host with free SSL and an easy exit is all most small businesses need. Spend the money you save on things that actually bring in customers, like a better Google Business Profile and more reviews. Our guide on how to get your business on Google covers both.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest reliable hosting for a small business website?
For a simple brochure-style site, static or CDN hosting is often free or very low cost and is fast and secure. Website builders bundle hosting into their monthly plans, and shared hosting usually starts at a few dollars a month.
Do I need SSL on my business website?
Yes. Browsers warn visitors about sites without it, and it should be free and automatic with any reputable host.
Should I get email through my web host?
Usually not. Keeping email separate from hosting means you can switch hosts later without losing your email.