Term · Data, privacy & security
Hosting
Websites and software run on a server that is switched on day and night. Arranging that server and the space on it is called hosting.
In short
Hosting is providing space and computing power on a server, so that a website, app or integration can run online. A hosting provider takes care of the server and the connection to the internet. With software, maintenance also comes into it, such as updates and backups.
What is hosting?
Hosting is having a website or software run on a server at a hosting provider. That server is in a data centre, is connected to the internet and is switched on day and night. That way you and your customers can access it at any time.
What types of hosting are there?
Roughly speaking, there are three forms:
- Shared hosting. You share a server with other customers. That suits a simple website.
- Your own server (VPS or dedicated). You get your own space and computing power, on which software of your choice can run.
- A cloud platform. You rent computing power and storage that can grow with what you need.
Do you use software as a service (SaaS), such as an online accounting package? Then the supplier arranges the hosting. With custom software, someone has to arrange it.
Example in an SME
Example
Say you have a customer portal built where customers can see their orders. That portal runs on a server, with a database full of customer data. Someone has to take care of updates, of a backup and of action when the portal is down. That is part of hosting and maintenance.
What should you look out for with hosting?
- Where is the data? Is personal data going to a server outside the European Economic Area (EEA)? Then extra rules from the GDPR apply.
- Agreements. Is there personal data on the server? Then the hosting provider is usually a processor and you sign a data processing agreement.
- Maintenance. Software needs updates, even when everything works. Agree who does that.
- Backups. Ask who makes them, how often, and whether restoring them is tested.
- Switching. Can you take your code and data with you if you leave?
Software I build for you runs with me. I charge for hosting, subscriptions and maintenance together, in one amount per month that we agree in consultation. If you stop maintenance, you get the code and your data. Read more about custom software.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between hosting and a domain name?
A domain name is the address, such as yourcompany.nl. Hosting is the place where the website or software runs. The address points to that place.
Does hosting have to be in the Netherlands?
Not for the GDPR. Within the EEA the same privacy rules apply. Outside the EEA is allowed too, but then extra conditions apply to personal data.
Sources: Dutch Data Protection Authority (Autoriteit Persoonsgegevens): Transfer of personal data outside the EEA (in Dutch) and Dutch Data Protection Authority: Data processing agreement (in Dutch). Consulted on 7 October 2026.
Written by Bart van Engelenhoven Founder of Uniekaiconsultancy in Ede, the Netherlands. Bart analyses how SMEs work and builds software, integrations and AI applications himself. Last updated: 7 October 2026
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