Hosting only — from £20 / month
SSL, backups, uptime watch and a restore path. You still own the domain.
After launch
Hosting and care that stays boring.
Launch is not the end. Sites break when plugins rot, certificates expire and nobody owns updates. These are guide bands for ongoing care — your quote lists what is included.
SSL
HTTPS kept current
Backups
Restore plan, not hope
UK hours
You talk to me
Overview
Why a retainer exists
You do not have to host with me. Care is simpler when the person who knows the code also watches the box.
If you already have a host, I can still do updates and small changes on that host. The bands below are starting points, same idea as the build packages.
Details
Care bands (guides)
Final monthly price depends on the stack (WordPress vs custom PHP vs shop).
Hosting + updates — from £45 / month
The above, plus WordPress/plugin/theme or app updates on a schedule, and a short note when something material changes.
Care hours — from £90 / month
Updates plus a small bag of changes (copy, new blocks, plugin swaps). Extra work is quoted first, not silently eaten.
What is not in a retainer
New sections, shop rebuilds, SEO campaigns and custom features stay as project work.
In practice
How it runs
You get a named contact (me), a way to raise a change, and backups that have been tested at least once. I will not sell you a 24/7 NOC you do not need.
Cancel with notice on the quote. The site stays yours.
Outcomes
You should expect
HTTPS that does not expire on a Friday
Updates without surprise redesigns
A restore if something goes wrong
Honest no when a change is a new project
Want a quick answer first?
Send a short note about the project. I will reply with fit, rough cost and next steps.
Process
Starting care
For sites I built, or sites I take over.
Stack check
Host, PHP version, plugins, mail, backups.
Band
Hosting only, updates, or care hours.
Access
DNS, hosting panel, CMS, staging if we have one.
Rhythm
Scheduled updates and a simple way to ask for changes.
Fit
Who this is for
A good fit if you…
- You want the builder to keep the lights on
- WordPress, WooCommerce or a small PHP app
- You prefer a monthly number to emergency call-outs
Not the right fit if you…
- Unmanaged VPS with no budget for updates
- Expecting unlimited redesigns inside £20/month
FAQ
Questions
Can I keep my current host?
Yes. Updates-only care does not require moving host.
Do you guarantee uptime like an enterprise SLA?
No. I run sensible hosting and backups. If you need 99.99% contracts, that is a different product.
What about email?
I can help with DNS for business email. Mailbox hosting is usually with Google, Microsoft or your registrar.
VAT?
Confirmed on the formal quote.
Explore more
Related
Keep going with related services, free diagnostic tools and studio pages — practical next steps for SEO, hosting and builds.
Need hosting or a takeover?
Tell me what you run (WordPress, shop, custom) and I will recommend a band.