Web hosting stores your website's files and runs the software that serves them to visitors. A domain such as example.co.ug is the address people use to find that website. You can buy a domain, website hosting and business email separately and connect them through DNS.
What you need to put a business website online
- A domain you control: register it with the business's correct contact details and retain access to the registrar account.
- A suitable hosting plan: check storage, database support, software versions and resource limits against the website you intend to run.
- Website content: hosting alone does not design a website, write its pages or maintain its plugins.
- HTTPS: a valid certificate protects the connection between a browser and your website.
- A maintenance and recovery plan: identify who updates the website and who keeps recoverable backups.
How a visitor reaches your website
DNS tells the visitor's browser where to connect. The hosting server responds with the page or runs an application to build it. A database may hold products, posts or customer records. Loading speed depends on this whole chain, including page size, application code, caching, server resources and the visitor's connection.
Website hosting and email are different services
A website uses web records such as A, AAAA or CNAME. Incoming mail uses MX records. Moving the website does not require moving its email. Before changing nameservers, copy and check every record that the business still needs, including mail authentication and verification records.
For a company that needs addresses such as sales@example.co.ug, compare Bulamu Mail plans with Google Workspace. Mailbox counts, storage and collaboration tools vary by service. A domain registration does not automatically include either.
Choose a service around the work it must do
A brochure site can often start on shared hosting. A custom application may need a VPS for its software or access requirements. The word “cloud” describes infrastructure; it does not by itself promise automatic scaling or uninterrupted service. Read our comparison of hosting types.
See the current shared hosting plans and domain registration and renewal prices. Check the billing period and services included at checkout. Do not assume daily backups, migration work or a free domain are included unless the selected offer says so.
Reviewed 3 October 2026. Product prices and availability are maintained on the linked service pages.