Every public-sector organisation must have a website that provides information to the public, ensures public transparency, and helps deliver services online efficiently. Website developers often offer public-sector organisations not only to build a website, but also to host it on their own servers. At first glance, this may seem like a convenient solution, but such a choice often creates dependency and can pose various risks.
In this article, we will discuss why it is important for a public-sector organisation’s website to be hosted not with the website developer, but with a reliable hosting provider.
1. Independence and control
When a website is hosted with the website developer, the public-sector organisation becomes dependent on a single provider. If the developer ceases operations or can no longer provide services, the organisation may face serious problems. Moving the website can take time, which may lead to long-term disruptions in the organisation’s operations. It is therefore important to choose an independent hosting provider that ensures greater control and the ability to manage the website infrastructure easily.
Hosting a website with professional hosting providers allows a public-sector organisation to change the website developer at any time or make other changes, regardless of the website developer’s goodwill. This gives more flexibility and the ability to respond quickly to needs, without becoming hostage to the situation.
2. Ask the developer: where is the website hosted?
If you do not know where your website is hosted right now. One of the most important steps you should take is to ask your website developer where the website is hosted. Many organisations may not even know which servers their website is stored on, or who has access to website management. This is essential information that has a direct impact on the website’s security and operation.
It is important to ask the developer these questions:
- Where exactly is the website hosted?
- Is it a dedicated server, a cloud computing service, or a shared hosting server?
- Does the organisation have access to the server control panel?
- How are backup procedures carried out?
These questions will help you better understand the website hosting environment and ensure that the website for organisations is properly protected against possible disruptions. We recommend the provider Hostinger.
3. Security aspects
Public-sector organisations often handle sensitive and important information, so website security is one of the top priorities. Professional hosting providers ensure a high level of security and use advanced technologies to protect websites from hacking or data loss.
The key security elements that professional hosting providers should offer:
- Regular backups: Automatically created backups ensure that if data is lost, it can be restored quickly.
- SSL certificates: These are necessary for data encryption and ensuring the website’s reliability.
- Firewalls and antivirus systems: Specialised security systems protect against malicious attacks.
Although a developer may offer website hosting, they are usually not a specialist in server management and security. Therefore, by entrusting website hosting to professionals, the public-sector organisation can feel confident about the security of its website.
4. Performance speed and reliability
Websites of public-sector organisations must run smoothly and quickly, as they are often the main channel through which residents receive information and use electronic services. If a website loads slowly or does not work at certain times, this can negatively affect both the organisation’s reputation and the quality of services.
Professional website hosting providers ensure:
- High website speed: Modern technologies, fast databases and powerful servers are used to ensure fast website performance.
- High uptime: Reliable providers ensure that the website is practically always available, offering at least a 99,9 % uptime guarantee.
- Server network geography: This helps optimise website speed, regardless of where its visitors are.
If a website for organisations is hosted with the developer, the servers may not have sufficient resources or suitable infrastructure, so the website may run more slowly or experience technical disruptions.
5. Long-term maintenance and development
A public-sector organisation’s website is not a one-off project – it must be regularly maintained and updated, with new functions or information added. If the website is hosted with the developer, any updates or technical changes will depend on a single provider. This can be difficult if changes need to be implemented quickly or new specialists need to be involved.
Independent hosting makes it easier to manage the website and change providers, because website hosting services are completely separate from the developer. This creates more opportunities to develop the website and ensures that it remains modern and effective over time.
6. Economic benefit
Although it may seem that hosting a website with the developer is a cheaper solution, this is not the case. A standard hosting plan for a website costs 30–50 EUR per year. Providers sometimes require organisations to pay extra for backups, security or other services that were not included in the website development price.
Professional hosting providers often offer clearly defined prices with key services included, such as technical maintenance, security and 24/7 support. This gives public-sector organisations financial clarity and helps avoid unexpected expenses.
Conclusion
It is important for public-sector organisations to ensure that their website is hosted in a reliable hosting centre, not with the website developer. This provides greater security, independence and control, better website performance speed and reliability. In addition, it allows public-sector organisations to plan more easily and save money.