Web hosting is renting space on a computer that is always on and connected to the internet, so people can visit your website at any hour. In South Africa you can host locally or overseas, pay monthly or yearly, and choose between several types depending on what your site is built with. This guide explains the jargon in plain English so you can make a confident choice.
What web hosting actually is
Your website is a set of files (and often a database). For anyone to see it, those files must sit on a server: a computer in a data centre with reliable power, cooling and a fast connection. A hosting company runs those servers and rents you a share of one.
When someone types your address into a browser:
- Their device asks the DNS system where your domain lives.
- DNS answers with the IP address of your hosting server.
- The browser connects to that server, usually over HTTPS (secured with an SSL certificate).
- The server sends back your page.
So there are three separate pieces: the domain (your address), DNS (the directory that points the address at a server) and the hosting (the server itself). You can buy them from one company or several.
The main types of web hosting
Shared web hosting
Many websites share one server, each in its own account. It is the most affordable option and ideal for WordPress, PHP sites and small business websites. You manage everything through a control panel such as Plesk. Email is often included.
App hosting
Built for modern web applications: Next.js, Node.js, Express, Nuxt and static site builds. You connect a Git repository, and the platform builds and runs your code whenever you push. Each app gets its own memory. See shared hosting vs app hosting to understand when you need it.
VPS (virtual private server)
A slice of a server that behaves like your own machine. You get full control, and full responsibility: installing software, security updates, backups and monitoring.
Dedicated server
A whole physical server for you. Powerful and expensive, and usually only needed for large, high-traffic workloads.
Windows hosting
For sites built on ASP.NET and MS SQL, which need Windows servers and IIS rather than Linux.
Email hosting
Mailboxes on your own domain ([email protected]), either bundled with web hosting or as a separate service.
Hosting jargon, translated
| Term | What it means |
|---|---|
| Domain | Your web address, e.g. yourbusiness.co.za |
| DNS | The system that turns your domain into a server address |
| Nameservers | The servers that hold your domain's DNS records |
| SSL / TLS | Encryption that gives you https:// and the padlock |
| Storage (NVMe / SSD) | Disk space for files, databases and email |
| RAM | Working memory; more RAM lets apps handle more at once |
| Traffic / bandwidth | The amount of data sent to visitors each month |
| Control panel | A web interface for managing hosting (Plesk, cPanel) |
| Backups | Copies of your site you can restore if something breaks |
| Uptime | The time your site is available |
Local or overseas?
If your customers are in South Africa, a local server usually loads dynamic pages faster because data travels a shorter distance. You also pay in rand and get a VAT invoice. Overseas hosting can make sense for a global audience. Our full comparison is in South African hosting vs overseas hosting.
Domains in South Africa
Most South African businesses use a .co.za domain, managed by the ZA Central Registry. You register it through an accredited registrar (your host often does this for you) and renew it every year. Make sure the domain is registered in your or your company's name. The .ZA Domain Name Authority oversees the .za namespace.
SSL certificates
An SSL certificate encrypts traffic between your visitors and your site, and browsers warn visitors about sites without one. Free certificates from Let's Encrypt are perfectly good for most websites and renew automatically on good hosting.
How to get your site online - step by step
- Choose your domain name and check it is available.
- Choose the hosting type based on what your site is built with.
- Pick a plan with enough storage, the right number of sites or apps, and proper backups.
- Register or transfer the domain, or point your existing domain's DNS at your new host.
- Upload or deploy your site: install WordPress, upload files, or connect your Git repository.
- Switch on SSL so your site loads over
https://. - Set up email on your domain if you need it.
- Test everything: pages, forms, email sending, mobile view.
What to look for in a South African host
- Servers in South Africa if your audience is local
- Clear resources: storage, RAM, traffic
- Daily or weekly backups, plus on-demand backups
- Free SSL
- Local support
- Prices in rand, VAT shown, VAT invoices
For a full list, use our buyer's checklist.
Where NewHost fits
NewHost is a South African hosting platform with servers in Johannesburg:
- Web hosting on Plesk for WordPress, PHP and classic websites
- Email hosting for mailboxes on your own domain
- App hosting for Next.js and Node.js from R99/month excluding VAT
- Domains including .co.za, with DNS in the dashboard
- Windows and ASP.NET hosting on custom quote
Frequently asked questions
Do I need hosting if I already have a domain?
Yes, if you want a website or email on that domain. A domain is only the address; hosting is where the website and mailboxes actually live. You then point the domain's DNS at your hosting.
Can I host my website at home?
Technically yes, but a home connection and computer are not built for it: power cuts, changing IP addresses and upload speeds make it unreliable. Hosting in a data centre is far more dependable.
How much storage does a small business website need?
A typical brochure site or small WordPress site needs only a few gigabytes. Email and large media libraries use more. Start with a modest plan and upgrade if you need to.
What is the difference between web hosting and a website builder?
A website builder bundles design tools, hosting and often a domain in one service, with less flexibility. Web hosting gives you the server; you or your developer choose how the site is built.
Get started
Ready to go online? Search for your domain or compare plans on the pricing page.