Last updated: 23 October 2026 · By Maurice, freeehouse team · About 3 minutes to read
What exactly does hosting do?
A website consists of files: text, images, code. For anyone to open it, these files have to sit on a computer that is reachable around the clock. That is the server. The company that rents you space on such a server and runs it is your host.
When someone types in your address, their browser asks the DNS which server is responsible and fetches the page from there. The faster the server answers and the closer it is to the visitor, the faster the page loads.
What is part of hosting and what is not?
| Building block | What it is | Often included? |
|---|---|---|
| Web space | Storage for the website | yes |
| SSL certificate | Encryption, the padlock in the browser | usually yes today |
| Domain | your address | sometimes, often only in the first year |
| Email mailbox | your mail account | sometimes |
| Backups | Copies of your site | varies |
| Updates and care | Maintenance of the system and extensions | usually not |
Let's Encrypt issues SSL certificates for free, so a certificate should not cost extra today. If your provider charges a separate item for it, take a look at the invoice.
What types of hosting are there?
- Website builder hosting. Hosting is part of the subscription, you never see it. Wix, Jimdo, Squarespace.
- Shared hosting. You share a server with many others. Typical for WordPress sites at IONOS, STRATO and the like.
- Managed hosting. The provider also takes care of updates and security.
- Static hosting across a network of data centres. Finished pages are delivered from many locations, often very fast. This is how we host the websites at freeehouse, with delivery for Europe from European data centres, including Frankfurt.
What does hosting cost?
That depends on the type. According to their price pages, website builder subscriptions cost roughly €144 to €240 a year. Hosting plans at traditional hosts often start lower, but then care comes on top. Always compare the price after all promotions end. The guide Comparing hosting costs explains how to find your real costs.
What questions should I ask my host?
- Where are the servers, and is there a data processing agreement?
- How often are backups made, and how do I restore one?
- What does the plan cost after the first year?
- Are domain, certificate and email included?
- Can I take the website with me at any time?
- Who helps if the site is not reachable?
Does a small business need fast hosting?
Speed comes largely from the site itself: small images, little code, no unnecessary extensions. Good hosting helps but does not replace a lean site. Google rates loading time through the Core Web Vitals. According to web.dev, for example, the largest content should be visible within 2.5 seconds.
At freeehouse you only pay for hosting, and care is included: technology, security, backups and 10 minutes of changes a month. Building the website costs nothing, and hosting is cheaper than today. How freeehouse works
How do I recognise good hosting as a layperson?
- The site loads fast on a phone too.
- There is customer service you can actually reach, in German.
- Backups are made automatically and can be restored.
- A data processing agreement is available.
- Prices after promotions are clearly stated.
- You can move at any time and take your data with you.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need hosting if I use a website builder?
No, with a website builder hosting is included in the subscription. You just cannot switch it separately.
Is hosting the same as a domain?
No. The domain is the address, hosting is the place where the site lives. Both can be with the same provider or with different ones.
What does an SSL certificate cost?
Let's Encrypt issues simple certificates for free. Many hosts use it and charge nothing extra.
Where should the servers be?
For customers in Germany, servers or delivery within the EU make sense, if only for loading time and data protection.
Sources
- Let's Encrypt: Über uns, accessed 23 October 2026
- web.dev: Core Web Vitals, accessed 23 October 2026
- Wix: Premiumpakete und Preise, accessed 23 October 2026
- Jimdo: Preise und Pakete, accessed 23 October 2026
Providers' prices and terms change often. What counts is what's in your customer account and your contract. Not legal advice.
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