Website hosting packages can look similar until you dig in. Some give you only server space and email; others include design, updates, support, and even eCommerce. A domain is usually billed separately. The right choice depends on what you need: a place to host a site you already have, a business site that competes, or a full online store.
This guide walks you through the main types of packages so you can match your needs to the right tier — and know what to look for so you don't pay for too much or get stuck with too little.
Hosting only: email and a place for your site
If you already have a site (or a simple one-page) and only need professional email and hosting so it stays online, a hosting-only package is enough. You get email setup and space to host your website — often for a very low monthly fee. Domain registration and annual renewal are billed separately (from R137/year for .co.za). No design, no edits, no updates from the provider; you or someone else handles the site. Ideal when you don't need to change the site often and just want a professional mailbox and a stable home for it.
At Strand Web, our Hosting Only option gives you exactly that: email setup and hosting from R50/month. The domain is not included in that monthly fee. A bargain if you only need to be online without ongoing site changes.
Basic: more hosting if you already have a site
Basic Hosting is the next step up in storage and mailboxes — not a designed website. You get more server space and email accounts than Hosting Only, still with no site design and no ongoing support. Use it when you already have a site (or will supply one) and need room to grow. The domain is billed separately, same as every other package.
Standard and above: when design is included (and why that matters)
Many providers charge separately for design. You pay for hosting, then thousands more for someone to build your site. At Strand Web, from our Standard Website Package to our Premium eCommerce site, the initial design is included in your monthly billed amount. You’re not just paying for hosting and a few edits — you’re getting a proper site built as part of the package. That’s a big saving on design costs and is what sets us apart.
Standard suits small businesses that need a real website and a handful of content edits per year (e.g. 2–3 updates). You get the site, hosting, email, and support so you can compete online without managing everything yourself. Domain registration and renewal stay on a separate annual bill.
Essential: for businesses that need to compete online
When your business depends on being found and trusted online — with a site that’s updated, secure, and supported — an Essential-level package makes sense. You get everything in Standard plus more robust security, monitoring, and priority support. The initial website is designed for you as part of the package. Ideal for established businesses that take their online presence seriously and want to compete without running the tech themselves.
Business: selling a product or service with add-to-cart
If you sell products or services and need an online shop with add-to-cart, checkout, and orders, you need eCommerce. A Business package typically includes WooCommerce setup and support: products, payments, and order management. We handle the manual WooCommerce setup and configuration so your store works properly. The initial website is still designed for you as part of the package, plus you get more storage, mailboxes, and detailed reporting. Suited to businesses that sell online but don’t yet need complex stock or ERP integrations.
Premium: full eCommerce with stock and integrations
For a full eCommerce operation you need product feeds, stock updates, and often integration with your back-office or inventory system. A Premium package covers advanced WooCommerce support, integrations, custom tweaks, and comprehensive reporting. We can also help set up Smart IT so it syncs with WooCommerce — keeping stock and orders in line with your site. You get the highest level of support, strategy, and maintenance. This tier is for businesses that rely on their online store and need it to stay in sync with the rest of their operations.
How to choose
Start with what you need today: Do you only need hosting and email for a site you already have? Hosting Only. Need more storage and mailboxes, still without design? Basic. Do you need a proper business site with a few edits a year and want design included? Standard. Do you need to compete seriously and get ongoing optimisation? Essential. Do you sell online and need a shop? Business. Do you need full eCommerce with stock feeds and integrations? Premium.
Remember: from our Standard Website Package to our Premium eCommerce site, the initial design is included in your monthly billed amount. A further redesign after that is quoted separately. You save on design costs and get a package that’s built around getting you online properly — not just hosting.
Frequently asked questions
What's included in "design included" or "site built for you"?
From our Standard Website Package to our Premium eCommerce site, we include the initial design in your monthly billed amount — so you don’t pay a separate design or build cost for that first site. A further redesign is quoted separately. You get a proper site that’s mobile-friendly and ready to go, plus hosting, email, and the level of edits and support that comes with your package. Domain registration and renewal are billed separately (from R137/year for .co.za).
Can I start with Hosting Only and upgrade later?
Yes. Many customers start with Hosting Only or Basic Hosting (email and server space only) and move up when they need a designed site, more edits, or eCommerce. We can guide you on when it makes sense to upgrade so you don’t overpay early or under-invest when you’re ready to grow.
What's the difference between Business and Premium for online shops?
Business covers WooCommerce setup and manual configuration so you can sell products and take orders. Premium adds full eCommerce support, stock feed integration, updates, and options like Smart IT sync with WooCommerce — for when your shop is central to your business and needs to stay in sync with inventory and operations.
Choosing the right hosting package comes down to what you need: hosting only, a basic presence, a business site with initial design included, or full eCommerce. At Strand Web, from our Standard Website Package to our Premium eCommerce site, the initial design is included in the monthly amount — so you get a real website without a separate design bill for that first build. If you’re not sure which tier fits, view our packages or get in touch and we’ll help you pick.