Hosting
When we build a website or a piece of custom software, most of the attention naturally goes on what it looks like, how it works and how it is going to make life easier.
Hosting is the less exciting bit sitting quietly underneath it all.
It is what keeps your website or application online, loads it when somebody visits and stores the files, images and information it needs to work. It is also one of those digital expenses that many businesses pay every month without really knowing what they are paying for.
So here is what hosting actually does, why it matters and what it costs with us.
Hosting at a Glance
A smaller business website does not need the same server space or processing power as a larger website, online shop or custom application. That is why our hosting falls into three main levels.
| Service | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Website Hosting | Small business websites with lighter hosting needs | £20 per month |
| Standard Website Hosting | Larger business websites that need more space or resources | £20–£40 per month |
| Advanced or App Hosting | Online shops, booking systems, databases and custom software such as CRMs or dashboards | From £40 per month |
These are genuine guides rather than hidden starting prices that suddenly triple when you ask a question.
We will confirm the exact fixed hosting cost as part of your project quote before any development work begins.
What Is Web Hosting?
The simplest way to explain hosting is to compare your website to a business on the high street.
Your domain name, such as yourbusiness.com, is the address. It tells people where to find you, but it does not contain the website itself.
Your website or application is the actual business: the pages, content, images, features and information your customers use.
Hosting is the secure building where all of that lives.
A website is made up of code, images, files and sometimes databases. Those need to be stored on a server that remains connected to the internet so that customers can reach the website whenever they need it.
Without hosting, the website may exist as a collection of files, but nobody can visit it online.
Not All Hosting Is the Same
It is very easy to find hosting for a few pounds a month. That does not necessarily mean it is suitable for every website.
Many low-cost hosting packages place large numbers of unrelated websites on the same shared server. This keeps the price down, but it also means those sites are sharing the same resources.
For a small website that may be perfectly adequate. For a business relying on its website, online shop or custom application, speed, reliability and support matter rather more.
The other difference becomes obvious when something goes wrong. With many basic hosting packages, you are expected to diagnose the problem yourself, work through automated support systems and understand technical messages that were clearly never written for normal human beings.
We do not think running your business should involve learning how to manage a server.
Hosting With Richah
When we host a website or application, we look after the technical side for you.
Our hosting is set up specifically for the custom websites and software we build. We know how the system works because we wrote it, which makes it much easier for us to maintain, support and fix if something needs attention.
We can also host websites built by someone else. You do not need to have used Richah for the original build — we will look at the website, work out what it needs and confirm the right hosting option before anything is moved.
No Plugin Headaches
Many standard website platforms rely on collections of third-party plugins to add forms, security, shops and other features.
Those plugins may be written by different companies, updated at different times and occasionally stop working nicely together.
Our websites are built with clean custom code, so we do not need to assemble them from dozens of unrelated plugins. That gives us fewer moving parts to manage and fewer opportunities for an update elsewhere to cause a problem.
Built for Speed
Our servers are configured around the websites and applications we build.
That means we can keep the code clean, the files organised and the system working efficiently, rather than trying to squeeze a custom project into a hosting setup designed for something completely different.
A faster website is better for your visitors and gives Google fewer reasons to grumble about it.
Nightly Backups
We back up website files and databases every night to secure secondary locations.
That means that if something does go wrong, we have a recent copy available and can restore the system without having to rebuild everything from scratch.
SSL Security Included
Every website we host includes an SSL certificate as standard.
That is the security certificate responsible for the padlock in the browser address bar. It protects information being sent between the visitor and the website and is now an essential part of running a proper business site.
Technical Support Included
Managed Hosting includes our Support Retainer at no extra charge.
You do not need to buy hosting from us and then discover that speaking to us when something breaks costs extra. We look after the server, technical updates and background upkeep as part of the hosting service.
RiCreate Is Included
When we host a Richah website, access to RiCreate, our own content creator and publishing system, is included within the hosting price.
RiCreate uses the information already on your website to help you create new pages, articles and updates that fit your business. You are not left staring at a blank screen wondering what on earth to write.
Your access also includes ongoing RiCreate updates, so you will always be using the current version as the system develops.
We have other Richah applications that can work alongside your website too. These can also be included where appropriate, depending on which applications your business needs.
What If We Manage the Website for You?
If you choose one of our Ongoing Website Management packages, there is no separate charge for hosting.
Hosting, technical support and the use of RiCreate are all included within the management price. We can also write and publish the new content for you, so the website stays active without becoming another job on your list.
Our Ongoing Website Management packages start from £140 per month.
What If You Want to Host Elsewhere?
You are not tied to our hosting.
If you choose to host the website elsewhere, you can licence RiCreate for £30 per month or £250 per year. The licence includes ongoing updates, so you will continue to have access to the current version.
Other Richah applications can also be licensed separately. The cost is available on request because it depends on which application you need and how it will be used.
Which Hosting Option Do You Need?
You do not need to know that before you speak to us.
We will look at the website or application, explain what level of hosting it genuinely needs and give you a fixed price before the work begins.
We are not going to recommend advanced hosting for a smaller website that will run perfectly well on the basic option. You will get an honest explanation of what is needed, what is included and what it will cost.
Get in Touch
Hosting should be the part of your website that you barely have to think about.
It should stay online, load quickly, remain secure and have somebody available who understands it when something needs attention.
Whether you already have a project in mind or are simply trying to work out how the different options fit together, get in touch and have a chat with us. We will explain what you need without turning it into a lesson in server engineering.
Find Out More
View Our Website Pricing Guide
Find Out More About us and Meet The Team
How much does website hosting actually cost?
It depends on what you need. Basic hosting for small business websites starts at £20 per month, standard hosting for larger sites is £20–£40 per month, and advanced hosting for online shops or custom applications starts from £40 per month. These are fixed prices confirmed before any work begins, not introductory rates that increase later.
What happens if my website breaks and I'm using your hosting?
Technical support is included in the hosting price at no extra charge. We look after the server, handle technical updates, and fix problems as part of the service—you won't need to diagnose issues yourself or pay extra to speak to us.
Do I have to use your hosting if you build my website?
No, you're not tied to our hosting. If you choose to host elsewhere, you can licence RiCreate (our content creator) separately for £30 per month or £250 per year and still get ongoing updates.