Website Hosting
Australian Website Hosting company based in Brisbane since 2001.
99.95% Uptime. Faster Servers. 24/7 Support*
FREE website migration to our servers
Personal Hosting
- For Small Websites
- Standard Performance
- Up to 5 email Addresses
- 5 G/B of space
- Cpanel
- +99.95% Uptime
Business Hosting
- For Standard Business Websites
- Fast Shared Hosting
- Up to 50 Email Addresses
- Cpanel Shared Hosting
- Basic Email Hosting
- +99.95% Uptime
WordPress Optimised Hosting
- For Busy WordPress Websites
- Very Fast WordPress Hosting
- Email Hosting with Office 365
- WordPress-optimised hosting servers
- Optimised server cache for a very fast website
- Fully Managed Server
- WordPress Care Plans are available
- Shared or Dedicated Servers
- +99.95% Uptime
WooCommerce Hosting
- For Busy E-Commerce Websites
- Very Fast WooCommerce Hosting
- Email Hosting via Office 365
- Shared or your own VPS
- Optimised Server Cache for a Very Fast Website
- Fully Managed Server
- WooCommerce Care Plans are Available
- Shared or Dedicated Servers
- +99.95% Uptime
Australian Data Center
Host your websites on a server located in an Australian Data Center.
Our servers are mirrored over two locations so that you are guaranteed your website will be up 99.95% of the time
Experience faster website loading times and enhanced Search Engine rankings by being closer to your customers.
Secure & Reliable Hosting
We monitor our hosting servers every minute of the day. If there is ever an issue with our servers, we know within a minute and start resolving the issue without you even knowing there is a problem.
All our servers run the latest hardware and up-to-date software, so they are reliable and secure.
Nightly Backups
Our website servers are backed up nightly in various locations so that we have a viable backup if anything goes wrong. If there is an issue with your website, we hold daily backups for a week, weekly backups for a month and monthly backups for a year.
Expert Hosting Support
Our dedicated team of hosting specialists is on standby 24/7, 365 days a year, to answer your questions of help with any issues. You can reach us via phone on 07 33417 224 or email us at [email protected].
What is website hosting, and why do I need website hosting?
When you have a website designed, you need to store that information somewhere so people using the internet can find it. We hold that information for you on our website servers. Think of us as your host for the internet world and our servers as virtual waiters serving your website pages to anyone who types in your website address. You need to have your website hosted for other people to see it. This is known as website hosting.
Synchromedia offers a full range of website hosting services to meet the needs of your business. SMG uses the latest technology from our Brisbane base to ensure your website is available quickly and reliably. We also provide 24/7 support, which means help is only a phone call or an e-mail away. Additionally, our optional Website Care Packages provide next-level support with extra health and safety checks, WordPress Updates and Plugins, Website Analytics and monthly support time. Our Silver and Gold Website Care Packages also include a website build or redesign.
There are many different types of Website Hosting Services. The kind of Website Hosting Service you need depends on the type of website you have, the size of your website, the amount of traffic that goes through your website and the functionality of your website. The more you need your website to do, the more space it takes up on the servers and the harder the servers need to work to keep your website working.
Explore our website hosting options below. Contact Us for a free assessment if you need help with what you need.
Why should you host your website with SMG?
- Fast, Australian-Based Website Servers
- 99.95% Uptime Record
- Service-Based Hosting Provider
- 24/7 Support – we even answer the phone!
- Managed by WordPress Professionals
- Trusted and experienced – registered since 2001
- We know how to design and develop websites!
Hosting your website with SMG is an intelligent choice because we’ve been around for over 20 years and know websites.
When you host your website with us, you don’t just get the website hosting; you also get the backup support needed to keep your website up and running. The reality is websites break! As market leaders in Website Design and Website Marketing, we understand the many reasons that cause websites to fail, and we know how to fix them. Hosting with SMG is a beneficial partnership where we become Your Partner Online for all things website-related, allowing your website to evolve as your business grows and avoiding the need for you to deal with multiple agencies to keep your website performing well.
A unique feature of our website hosting is we host your website in two different data centres in two different locations. What this means is that if something happens to one data centre, the other one takes over. The two data centres run in parallel in real time, reducing downtime and the need to restore your website from a backup if an outage occurs. This additional redundancy/backup feature is known as providing a hot server. It is not commonly offered in the hosting industry. It provides an extra layer of security, reducing the likelihood of your emails going down and website downtime in the event of a server outage.
Our servers are monitored 24/7, and if there is ever a problem, we get a notification within a minute, most likely before you are even aware a problem exists. This fast response is why our servers have a 99.95% yearly uptime record. If you do have a problem, we offer 24/7 support. While most problems can be solved by submitting a support ticket, we answer the phone 24/7. This personal level of support is rare in the hosting industry and is appreciated by our clients.
Do you have a need for speed?
If your business operates in Australia, hosting your website on servers located in Australia will help your website load faster. Research shows that the quicker your website loads, the more receptive your potential client is. As a Brisbane-based website hosting company with Australian-based servers, we are strategically positioned to provide fast and responsive hosting for our Australian-based clients.
If your business is based overseas, we also have international servers, enabling you to load your website quickly in your geographic location rather than using our Brisbane website hosting servers.
Frequently Asked Website Hosting and Website Migration Questions:
Does my website need to be designed by SMG to be hosted with SMG?
No. SMG Website Hosting is available for all websites. If you have created your own website or someone else has designed your web design, you can still host it with SMG.
There is an exception to this rule: websites created from a template as part of a website hosting bundle typically cannot be moved over. Your existing website will only work on their platform. Chances are, if you are thinking of moving, your existing website and hosting are not performing as you would like them to, or your business has grown, and your website has not grown with it. In such cases, the timing is perfect for a Website Upgrade. We may be able to use some of the elements and content on your existing website to guide the design of your new website. If you are caught in this situation, speak to us about some options. We can design a new website for you, move it to our web hosting platform and help you with Website Marketing Strategies to promote your website online. You may also be interested in one of our Website Care Packages. Our Silver and Gold Website Care Packages include a new website design or refresh.
How do I get my website hosted with SMG?
All you need to do is Contact Us, and we will guide you through the process.
If you need to be more prepared, explore our website hosting options and Website Care Packages.
Will my website experience any downtime when transferring to SMG Website Hosting?
Not usually. We will copy the website over to our server and get everything ready. Once we are happy everything is prepared, we will point the domain name system (DNS) to your website on our servers, ensuring a seamless transition. For complicated E-Commerce websites, we can arrange for the changeover outside your regular trading hours in case of any hiccups.
Will my emails keep working when I change my website hosting to SMG?
When we migrate your website, we also need to change your emails. There are a couple of ways we can go about changing emails over. We will discuss the best approach to ensure minimal disruption and guide you through the process.
Am I locked into a contract if I host my website with SMG?
No, we don’t lock you into a hosting agreement. You can move anytime if needed, although hopefully, you love our service so much you never want to leave. The hosting fee already paid is not refundable.
Other FAQ About Website Hosting
What are the different types of website hosting?
In general, website hosting refers to the process of storing and making a website accessible on the internet. Creating a website consists of various files (HTML, CSS, images, etc.) that need to be stored on a server connected to the internet so that people can access your website from anywhere.
Website hosting involves renting server space from a hosting provider. The hosting provider (SMG) allocates a specific amount of storage, processing power, and bandwidth to your website. We maintain the server hardware and network infrastructure and ensure your website is accessible 24/7.
Different website hosting services are available, including:
- Shared Small Business Hosting: Your website shares server resources with other websites on the same CPanel server. It is an affordable option suitable for small websites with moderate traffic.
- Managed WordPress Fast Hosting: Specifically designed for WordPress websites, this hosting service provides optimised performance, security, and automatic updates for the WordPress platform.
- E-commerce website hosting (WooCommerce Hosting) refers to hosting services specifically designed to support online stores and e-commerce businesses. It involves providing the necessary infrastructure, features, and resources to ensure secure and reliable hosting for e-commerce websites.
- Virtual Private Server (VPS) Hosting: It provides a virtual private server that simulates a dedicated server environment. Your website has dedicated resources and faster loading times.
- Dedicated Server Hosting: An alternate name for VPS Hosting. You have an entire physical server dedicated solely to your website. This option offers the highest level of performance and control.
Once you choose a hosting provider and a hosting plan that suits your needs, SMG will upload your website files to the server using FTP (File Transfer Protocol) or a web-based file manager. SMG can help you organise a new domain name or connect your existing domain to the server, making your website accessible through that domain.
Why is website hosting needed?
Website hosting is essential for several reasons:
- Website Accessibility: Hosting your website on a server ensures it is accessible to anyone with an internet connection. Without hosting, your website’s files would not be stored on a server and, therefore, could not be accessed by users.
- Storage Space: Websites contain files such as HTML, CSS, images, videos, and databases. Hosting provides you with storage space on a server to store these files securely. The amount of storage space depends on the hosting plan you choose.
- Server Resources: Hosting provides server resources such as CPU, RAM, and bandwidth to your website. These resources determine how fast your website can load and how many visitors it can handle simultaneously. Different hosting plans offer different resource allocations to suit the needs of different websites. Speak to SMG about the best hosting plan for you.
- Domain Name: When you purchase hosting, you may also need to buy a domain name. A domain name gives your website a unique address on the internet, making it easy for users to find and access your site. You can also use an existing domain name when setting up a new hosting plan or website care package.
- Email Accounts: SMG” ‘s hosting plans include the option to create personalised email accounts using your domain name (e.g., [email protected]). This adds a professional touch to your online presence and allows you to manage email communication effectively.
- Website Performance and Reliability: SMG’s reliable hosting service ensures that your website remains online and accessible to users 24/7. SMG manages server maintenance, security updates, and backups, ensuring your website functions smoothly. Even higher levels of quality and security are available with our Website Care Plans, which also include website hosting.
What does web hosting do?
Web hosting offers a reliable infrastructure for storing and organising your website’s files, facilitates website accessibility, assigns server resources, manages domain names, provides email services, implements data backups and security measures, and offers technical support. Together, these functions enable your website to thrive and deliver a seamless experience to its visitors.
Do I really need web hosting?
Yes, web hosting is crucial for establishing an online presence and making your website accessible to users on the internet. While creating a website without web hosting using offline development tools is technically possible, such websites would not be accessible to others online. Web hosting is necessary to make your website publicly available and ensure its functionality, performance, and security.
What is the difference between domains and web hosting?
Domains and web hosting are distinct but interconnected elements of establishing an online presence. Here’s the difference between domains and web hosting:
Domain: A domain is a unique address or URL that people use to access your website on the internet. It is the name by which your website is known and identified. Domain names consist of two main parts: the actual name (e.g., Google) and the domain extension (e.g., .com, .org, .net). For example, the domain name for Google is “google.com.” Domains provide a memorable and recognisable way for users to find and access your website.
Web Hosting: Web hosting, on the other hand, is the service that enables your website to be stored, managed, and accessed on the Internet. It involves renting server space from a hosting provider and allocating server resources to store your website’s files, such as HTML, CSS, images, and other media. Web hosting makes your website accessible to users by keeping it connected to the internet and ensuring its availability and performance.
In simpler terms, think of a domain as the address of your house, while web hosting is the physical space where your house and all its contents (your website’s files) are stored. The domain name directs users to the correct location (web hosting server) where your website is hosted.
To have a functional website, you typically need both a domain name and web hosting. You register a domain name separately and then connect it to your web hosting provider by configuring the domain’s DNS settings to point to the server where your website is hosted. This integration allows users to reach your website by typing the domain name into a web browser, leading them to the content stored on your hosting server. Sounds complicated? Don’t Worry! SMG will organise all of this for you.
How much is hosting for a website?
The cost of website hosting can vary depending on several factors, including the hosting provider, the type of hosting plan, the resources allocated, additional security features and backup systems.
Full-service hosting providers typically cost more due to the additional features, services, and support they offer. Here are some reasons why full-service hosting providers may have higher pricing:
- Comprehensive Support
- Enhanced Security Measures
- Performance Optimisation
- Automated Backups and Recovery
- Scalability and Flexibility
- Additional Services and Features
- Reputation and Reliability:
- Dual data centres and hot servers
While full-service hosting providers may have higher prices, they provide a more comprehensive and hassle-free hosting experience. The added support, security, performance optimisation, and additional services offered can benefit businesses or individuals who prefer to focus on their core activities while relying on their hosting provider for a reliable and feature-rich hosting solution.
Can you host a website by yourself?
Yes, it is possible to host a website yourself, but it requires technical expertise, infrastructure, and resources. Hosting a website involves setting up and managing your own server infrastructure, configuring server software, ensuring security measures, and maintaining the server’s hardware and network connectivity.
Hosting a website yourself can be a complex and time-consuming process that requires technical knowledge and ongoing management. For most individuals and small businesses, using professional hosting services by established hosting providers is more practical and cost-effective.
What happens if you don’t host your website?
If you don’t host your website, it will not be accessible on the internet, and users will not be able to visit your site. Hosting is essential for making your website available to others. Here’s what happens if you don’t host your website:
- No Online Visibility: Without hosting, your website’s files will not be stored on a server connected to the internet. As a result, your website will not have an online presence, and users will be unable to find or access it.
- Domain Unavailability: If you have registered a domain name but do not host your website, the domain will not be associated with any server or content. Visitors who attempt to access your domain will likely encounter errors or see a default page provided by the domain registrar or the browser itself.
- Limited Functionality: Hosting provides the necessary infrastructure and server resources for your website to function correctly. Without hosting, your website’s dynamic features, interactive elements, database functionality, and other server-dependent aspects will not work.
- Inaccessible Content: Your website’s files, including HTML, CSS, images, videos, and other media, need to be stored on a server for users to access them. Without hosting, these files will not have a place to reside, and users will be unable to view or download your website’s content.
- Email Services Disruption: If you have associated email services with your domain, those email accounts will not function if you do not have your website hosted. Users will not be able to send or receive emails using domain-specific email addresses.
- No Updates or Maintenance: Hosting providers offer regular updates, security patches, and server maintenance to ensure the smooth operation of your website. Without hosting, you would be responsible for managing updates, security measures, backups, and other maintenance tasks yourself.
Does web hosting come with a domain name?
Web hosting and domain names are distinct services that are typically acquired separately. When you purchase web hosting, it focuses on providing server space and resources for your website to be stored and accessible on the internet. It involves managing the technical aspects of hosting, such as server configuration, maintenance, security, and support.
On the other hand, a domain name is a unique address or URL that people use to access your website. It serves as your website’s identity on the internet. Domain names must be registered separately through domain registrars or domain registration services. Registering a domain name involves selecting a unique name and extension (e.g., .com, .org) and paying a registration fee to secure the rights to that domain. SMG can help you with your domain registration or domain renewal.
How do I host a website for my small business?
To host a website for your small business, it is highly recommended to seek the services of an experienced website hosting provider like SMG. We can guide you through the process with our expertise and provide a seamless hosting experience. By partnering with an experienced website hosting provider, you can navigate the hosting process easily, receive personalised support, and enjoy a reliable hosting environment that meets the specific needs of your small business. With the assistance of a trusted hosting provider like SMG, you can focus on growing your small business while we handle the technical aspects of hosting. You can rely on our expertise for accessibility, optimisation and peak performance.
Is web hosting secure?
Web hosting can be secure when proper security measures are implemented by both the hosting provider and the website owner. Here are some key factors to consider regarding web hosting security:
- Hosting Provider’s Security Measures: Reputable hosting providers such as SMG prioritise security and implement various measures to protect their servers and customers’ websites. These can include firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention systems, regular security updates and patches, malware scanning, and physical security measures at our data centres.
- Secure Data Centers: We house our servers in secure data centres with controlled access, redundant power supply, fire suppression systems, and advanced cooling mechanisms. These facilities help safeguard the physical infrastructure and prevent unauthorised access or disruptions.
- SSL/TLS Encryption: Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) or Transport Layer Security (TLS) encryption protocols are used to establish secure connections between web servers and users’ browsers. SSL/TLS certificates encrypt data transmitted between the website and the user, protecting sensitive information such as login credentials, payment details and personal data.
- Secure File Transfer: Our web hosting services provide secure file transfer methods such as SFTP (Secure File Transfer Protocol) for uploading and managing website files. These protocols encrypt data during transit, ensuring secure file transfers between the user’s computer and the hosting server.
- Software and Patch Management: We regularly update server software, including the operating system, web server software, and other components, to address security vulnerabilities and apply necessary patches. Keeping software up to date helps protect against known vulnerabilities and strengthens the overall security of the hosting environment.
- Website Owner’s Responsibility: Website owners also play a vital role in maintaining the security of their websites. This includes using strong, unique passwords, regularly updating website software (such as content management systems and plugins), monitoring for security threats, and implementing additional security measures like website firewalls or security plugins. SMG can help you with all of these, especially through our optional Website Care Plans.
- Backups and Disaster Recovery: SMG conducts regular backups of website files and databases, ensuring that data can be restored in the event of data loss, hardware failure, or other unforeseen circumstances. Regular backups and a disaster recovery plan are crucial for mitigating the impact of potential security incidents.
We also run a hot server in a different geographical location as an extra layer of security.
By choosing a reputable hosting provider like SMG and implementing proper security measures, you can significantly enhance the security of your web hosting environment.
Does website hosting expire?
Website hosting typically operates on a subscription-based model, meaning that hosting plans have a specific duration or term. When you purchase hosting, you usually pay for a particular period, such as one month or year, with yearly subscriptions offering discounts. At the end of the subscription period, your hosting will expire if you do not renew it. To maintain an active hosting environment and keep your website accessible, it is essential to renew your hosting plan before it expires. SMG offers automatic renewal options and sends reminders to ensure that you have ample opportunity to extend your hosting subscription and keep your website visible.
Can I transfer my whole website to another host?
Yes, transferring your entire website to another hosting provider is possible. Website transfers involve moving all the files, databases, and configurations from one hosting server to another. The team at SMG can help guide you through this process.
How long does it take to host a website?
The time it takes to host a website can vary depending on several factors, including the hosting provider, the type of hosting plan, and the complexity of your website. Overall, the complete process of hosting a website, including domain registration, uploading files, database setup, DNS propagation, and testing, can typically range from a few hours to a couple of days. It’s essential to consider these timeframes when planning the launch or migration of a website to ensure a smooth transition and maximum access for visitors.
How do I buy a domain and host a website?
To simplify the process of buying a domain and hosting a website, it is recommended to choose an experienced web hosting provider like SMG. SMG offers a comprehensive solution by providing domain registration and management services alongside their hosting offerings. Here’s how using SMG can streamline the process:
- Centralised Services: By opting for SMG, you can have both domain registration and hosting services in one place. This eliminates the need to deal with multiple providers and simplifies the management of your online presence.
- Seamless Integration: SMG’s domain registration and hosting services are designed to work together seamlessly. They provide a smooth and hassle-free experience when connecting your domain to your hosting account, ensuring everything functions correctly.
- Expert Assistance: With an experienced hosting provider like SMG, you can benefit from our expertise and support throughout the process. Our knowledgeable team can guide you in choosing the right domain name, help with domain setup, and provide assistance with hosting configurations.
- Simplified Account Management: You can manage everything from a single account by using SMG for both domain registration and hosting. This allows easy access to your domain settings, hosting control panel, email accounts, and other related features, simplifying administration and reducing administrative overhead.
- Consolidated Billing: SMG offers consolidated billing for domain registration and hosting services. This streamlines the payment process and ensures you have a clear overview of the associated costs, making it easier to manage your expenses.
- Ongoing Support: SMG provides ongoing support for both domain and hosting-related queries. Our experienced support team can assist you with technical issues, answer your questions, and provide guidance in managing your website and domain effectively.
What are the benefits of Web Hosting Brisbane?
Web hosting in Brisbane offers several benefits for businesses and website owners. Here are some advantages of choosing web hosting services in Brisbane:
- Local Server Infrastructure: Opting for web hosting in Brisbane means your website’s files and data are stored on servers located in or near Brisbane. This can result in faster website loading times for visitors located in the region, as the data has a shorter distance to travel.
- Improved Website Performance: With local web hosting, you can experience enhanced website performance due to reduced latency. When visitors access your website, the data doesn’t have to travel long distances, resulting in quicker response times and a smoother browsing experience. For example, some competitors use overseas servers, meaning your website takes longer to load.
- Better SEO Ranking: Website loading speed is crucial in search engine optimisation (SEO). Local web hosting in Brisbane or Australia can contribute to faster loading times, positively impacting your SEO ranking and helping improve your website’s visibility in search engine results.
- Local Support and Communication: Choosing a web hosting provider based in Brisbane means you can benefit from local support and easier communication. You can contact the support team at SMG 24/7, ensuring quicker response times for any technical assistance or enquiries.
Does Website Hosting Australia Improve the speed of websites?
Website hosting in Australia can improve the speed of websites, especially for visitors in Australia or nearby regions. Here’s how hosting in Australia can contribute to faster website loading times:
- Reduced Latency: Hosting your website in Australia means that the server storing your website’s files and data is geographically closer to visitors in Australia, which is vital if your target market is Australian-based. This can result in reduced latency, as the data has a shorter distance to travel. Shorter distances generally lead to faster response times, resulting in quicker website loading speeds.
- Improved Network Connectivity: Hosting providers in Australia, such as SMG, have well-established network infrastructure and connections. This contributes to fast and reliable network connectivity, delivering data to users more efficiently and resulting in faster website performance.
- Content Caching: SMG implements content delivery networks (CDNs) or caching technologies that store copies of your website’s static files (such as images, CSS, and JavaScript) on servers located across Australia. When a visitor requests your website, the content can be served from the nearest server, reducing the time it takes to retrieve and load the files.
- Local Search Engine Optimisation (SEO): If your website targets an Australian audience, hosting in Australia can positively impact your SEO efforts. Search engines like Google consider website loading speed a ranking factor and faster loading times can improve your website’s visibility in local search results.
Choosing a reliable Australian web hosting provider like SMG with solid network infrastructure, robust servers, and optimised hosting environments is essential for achieving fast website loading times.
What is Place Holder Website Hosting?
Placeholder website hosting is a temporary hosting solution that displays a placeholder or “coming soon” page while a website is being constructed or prepared for launch. It serves as a placeholder or teaser for visitors, indicating that a website is in progress and will be available soon.
When a domain is registered, but the actual website is not yet ready to be published, a placeholder page is hosted on the server. This page typically contains minimal information, such as a logo or branding, a brief message about the upcoming website, and possibly contact information or social media links.
Is Place Holder Hosting a Good Idea?
Place Holder Hosting is helpful for
- Building Anticipation
- Professionalism and Branding
- Contact and Engagement.
- SEO Benefits for New Websites
Once the actual website is ready, the placeholder page is replaced with the complete website content, and visitors can access the entire website. The transition from placeholder hosting to complete website hosting involves uploading the website files, configuring the server, and updating DNS settings to direct the domain to the new website.