What hosting actually is
Your website is a set of files. Hosting is a computer that's always on and connected, which sends those files to anyone who visits. Your domain (yourbusiness.com.au) is the address that points visitors to it. They're separate things, often bought from different places, and it helps to keep them separate in your head.
The main types of hosting
| Type | What it means | Suits |
|---|---|---|
| Hosting included in a website builder | The builder hosts your website. No servers to choose or update | Most small businesses |
| Shared hosting | Your website shares a server with many others; you manage the software (often WordPress) | WordPress websites on a budget |
| Managed WordPress hosting | Like shared hosting, with updates, backups and security handled for you | Businesses committed to WordPress |
| Static and global-network hosting | Ready-made pages served from a worldwide network close to each visitor | Fast, simple business websites |
| A virtual or dedicated server | Your own server to configure and look after | Developers and larger, custom systems |
Does my hosting need to be in Australia?
For speed: what matters is that your website loads quickly for Australian visitors. A server in Australia does that, and so does a global network with locations in Australian cities, which serves your pages from close to each visitor.
For data: if your website collects personal information (for example enquiry forms), the Australian Privacy Principles may apply to how it's handled, wherever it's stored. Some sectors, like health and government, have stricter rules about where data is kept. If that's you, ask the host where data is stored.
For Google: where your server sits matters far less than a .com.au domain, your Australian address and service areas on the website, and a Google Business Profile.
Domains: .com.au or .au?
- .com.au is the familiar choice for businesses. You need an ABN, ACN or an Australian trade mark to register one.
- .au (yourbusiness.au) is newer and shorter. Anyone with a connection to Australia can register one, including citizens, residents and registered organisations.
- Expect about A$20 to A$25 a year to renew a .com.au. First-year deals are often cheaper; compare renewal prices.
- Register it in your business's name, with your own login, even if someone else builds your website.
What to look for in a host
- Free HTTPS (the padlock), renewed automatically.
- Speed in Australia, especially on phones.
- Backups you can restore yourself, and a way to download your files.
- Uptime: a website that's down loses enquiries. Ask how they monitor it.
- Support in Australian hours, by a real person.
- Clear renewal prices, not just the first-year deal.
- No lock-in: you can move your website and domain if you leave.
What about email?
Hosting your website and hosting your email are usually separate. A business mailbox like you@yourbusiness.com.au typically comes from Microsoft 365, Google Workspace or your domain provider, for a few dollars a month per mailbox. When you connect your domain to a website, your email keeps working as long as only the website's records change. A good website host will tell you exactly which record to add.
What hosting costs
| Option | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Website builder with hosting included | Roughly A$20 to A$60 a month, the website itself included |
| Shared hosting | Roughly A$5 to A$30 a month, plus your time looking after the website |
| Managed WordPress hosting | Roughly A$30 to A$100 or more a month |
| .com.au domain | About A$20 to A$25 a year |
Prices as at 2 October 2026; check each provider for current prices.
How RBO Build hosts websites
RBO Build includes hosting in every plan. Websites are served from Cloudflare's global network, which has locations in Australian cities, with HTTPS set up automatically. You connect your own domain with one record, and your email isn't affected. Every change is kept as a version you can go back to, a one-click health check tells you if anything's wrong, and you can download your website's files at any time. Plans start at A$19 a month. See pricing.