Website hosting options

If you are setting up a corporate or business website, you will need to choose between outsourcing your hosting or hosting your website internally. Both options have benefits and risks. You should weigh these carefully to find the right fit for your business.

In-house hosting vs outsourcing

Outsourcing to an external web host may be an attractive proposition if you need an 'off the shelf' solution, or lack the skills and infrastructure to manage a server yourself.

Many small and medium-sized businesses choose to contract out their hosting to a specialist provider or an internet service provider (ISP). See pros and cons of using ISP for hosting.

In-house hosting can work well for larger businesses and organisations that have the expertise and the budget to run their own servers. As well as a web server, you will need a high‑speed, reliable internet connection and the ability to provide 24‑hour monitoring and support. You must also factor in the cost of maintenance, power, space and software licences. 

If you are considering in‑house hosting, you should read how to host your own business website.

Advantages of the in-house web hosting

• You have full control over access to the website.
• The choice of hardware, including the ease and expandability of upgrades, is yours.
• You also have control over the operating environment - the software and systems that run on the web server.
• You can manage web storage space and performance more effectively.
• You are not contractually or legally bound to use a specific provider.

Disadvantages of the in-house web hosting

• The cost of buying your own web server hardware, associated software and high-speed internet connectivity (typically using a dedicated connection).
• The technical skills you or your staff will require in order to develop, maintain and upgrade the website, and to keep up to date with the latest technical developments.
• The resources needed to provide round-the-clock support for the website in order to ensure its availability for users.
• The need for specialist security expertise in employing tools and techniques to maintain the security of your website.

Before deciding to host your website internally, consider whether you can:

• provide 24-hour support internally on an ongoing basis
• build an in-house IT team with the right set of specialist skills to maintain the system
• implement appropriate monitoring systems and procedures
• take immediate and effective action when problems occur

If you cannot confidently meet these requirements, an external hosting option will often be cheaper, more reliable and less risky for your business. See factors to consider when choosing a web hosting provider to help you compare options.