What’s the Difference Between Web Hosting and Website Maintenance?

Short answer: Web hosting is where your website lives (server space and access). Website maintenance is keeping your site secure, updated, backed up, and running smoothly. You need both—hosting keeps your site online, maintenance keeps it safe and performing well.

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What Is Web Hosting?

Web hosting is the service that stores your website files and makes them accessible on the internet.

Local SEO: £1,500 - £2,500/month

What Hosting Includes:

  • Server space: Storage for your website files, images, and database
  • Domain connection: Links your domain name (yoursite.com) to your server
  • Bandwidth: Data transfer when visitors load your site
  • Uptime: Keeps your site accessible 24/7 (ideally 99.9%+)
  • Email accounts: Often includes email hosting (you@yoursite.com)
    Basic security: SSL certificate, firewall (varies by host)

What Hosting Does NOT Include:

  • Security updates and patches
    Plugin/theme updates
    Backups and recovery
    Performance optimization
    Content changes
    Technical support for your site (only server issues)
    Malware removal or monitoring
    Hosting Pricing (UK):
    Shared hosting: £3–£10/month (budget, slower, shared resources)
    Managed WordPress hosting: £15–£50/month (faster, optimized for WordPress)
    VPS hosting: £20–£100/month (dedicated resources, more control)
    Dedicated hosting: £80–£300/month (full server, high traffic)
    Popular UK hosts: SiteGround, Kinsta, WP Engine, Cloudways, 20i, Krystal

What Is Website Maintenance?

Website maintenance is the ongoing care that keeps your site secure, fast, and functional.
What Maintenance Includes:
Security updates: WordPress core, theme, and plugin updates (weekly)
Backups: Daily automated backups with offsite storage
Uptime monitoring: 24/7 checks to catch downtime immediately
Performance optimization: Caching, image compression, database cleanup
Malware scanning and removal: Proactive security monitoring
Content updates: Minor text, image, and link changes
Technical support: Bug fixes, troubleshooting, and advice
Reporting: Monthly performance and security reports
What Maintenance Does NOT Include:
Hosting (server space and access)
Major redesigns or new features
Content creation (blog posts, new pages)
SEO or marketing services
Domain registration or renewal
Maintenance Pricing (UK):
Basic: £99–£150/month (security, backups, monitoring)
Standard: £150–£250/month (+ content updates, priority support)
Premium: £250–£500/month (+ advanced security, optimization, strategy)

Why You Need Both (Not Just Hosting)

What Happens with Hosting Only:
Security breaches: Outdated plugins and themes get hacked. Hosting won’t fix this.
Site breakage: Plugin conflicts or bad updates break your site. Hosting support won’t help.
Lost data: Hosting backups (if available) are often incomplete or hard to restore.
Slow performance: Hosting provides speed, but your site needs optimization (caching, image compression).
Downtime: Hosting monitors the server, but not your site’s functionality (broken forms, checkout issues).
Real example: A Birmingham retailer had “managed hosting” but no maintenance. A plugin update broke their checkout. Hosting support said, “That’s not a server issue—contact a developer.” They lost 3 days of sales (£4,500) before finding help.

What You Get with Hosting + Maintenance:
Proactive security: Updates applied before vulnerabilities are exploited
Reliable backups: Daily, offsite, one-click restore
Fast response: Issues caught and fixed before you notice
Peace of mind: Your site is monitored, maintained, and supported 24/7

Common Hosting + Maintenance Questions

“My host offers ‘managed hosting.’ Isn’t that the same as maintenance?”
No. Managed hosting means the host manages the server (uptime, security patches, backups). It does NOT include WordPress updates, plugin management, content changes, or site-level support. You still need maintenance.
“My host includes backups. Why do I need separate backups?”
Hosting backups are often:
Incomplete: May not include database or custom files
Infrequent: Weekly or monthly, not daily
Hard to restore: Requires support tickets, not one-click
Unreliable: We’ve seen hosting backups fail or be unavailable when needed
Independent, daily backups with offsite storage and one-click restore are essential.
“Can I just do maintenance myself?”
You can—if you have the time, skills, and tools. Most business owners spend 3–8 hours/month on maintenance tasks, at an opportunity cost of £150–£400/month. Plus, DIY mistakes (bad updates, missed backups) often cost more to fix than professional maintenance.
“What if I use a website builder like Wix or Squarespace?”
Website builders include hosting and basic maintenance (updates, security, backups) in one package. You don’t need separate services. However, you sacrifice flexibility, ownership, and control.
“Can Webxcell provide both hosting and maintenance?”
Yes. We offer managed WordPress hosting (£15–£50/month) and maintenance (£99–£399/month) as a combined package, or we can maintain your site on your existing host.

How to Choose the Right Setup

Option 1: Separate Hosting + Maintenance (Most Flexible)
Best for: Businesses that want control over hosting choice
Pros: Choose the best host for your needs, switch hosts anytime, full maintenance support
Cons: Two separate bills, two points of contact
Cost: £100–£350/month (hosting + maintenance)
Option 2: Managed Hosting + Maintenance Bundle (Simplest)
Best for: Businesses that want one provider, one bill, one point of contact
Pros: Seamless integration, faster support, often discounted
Cons: Less flexibility, harder to switch providers
Cost: £150–£400/month (bundled)
Option 3: Website Builder (Easiest, Least Flexible)
Best for: Very small businesses, personal sites, or non-technical owners
Pros: All-in-one, no technical knowledge required
Cons: Limited customization, no ownership, harder to scale
Cost: £10–£50/month (Wix, Squarespace, etc.)

What Webxcell Clients Say

We thought our hosting included maintenance. When our site got hacked, our host said they couldn’t help. Webxcell cleaned it up, secured it, and now handles both hosting and maintenance. No more surprises.”— Lisa M., Legal Practice, Nottingham
“The monthly reports show exactly what Webxcell is doing—updates, backups, speed improvements. It’s transparent, and we haven’t had a single issue in 18 months.”— David P., E-Commerce Store, London

Next Steps: Get the Right Setup

Option 1: Free Hosting + Maintenance Audit
Not sure what you need? We’ll review your current setup (hosting, security, backups, performance) and recommend the best solution—no obligation.👉 **Book Your Free Audit**
Option 2: Get a Custom Quote
Ready to set up hosting and maintenance? We’ll provide a tailored quote based on your site’s needs.👉 **Request a Quote**
Option 3: Emergency Support
Site down, hacked, or broken? We offer emergency support with 1-2 hour response.📞 Call +44 800 195 7512 or email **contact@webxcell.com**

Why Choose Webxcell for Hosting + Maintenance?
One provider, full support: We handle hosting, maintenance, and technical support—no finger-pointing
Transparent pricing: Clear breakdowns, no hidden fees, no lock-in contracts
Proactive care: We catch and fix issues before they impact your business
UK-based support: Real people, fast response times, 24/7 availability
30 years of experience: We’ve seen (and solved) every hosting and maintenance issue
Proven results: 99.9%+ uptime, zero successful hacks for maintained clients, 90%+ satisfaction
Don’t wait for a crisis. Get the right hosting and maintenance setup today.
👉 Book Your Free Audit** or call +44 800 195 7512**

Related Questions:
How much does a website cost?
What does website maintenance include?
Do I own my website after paying for it?

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