Written by Derick Migliacci. Edited by Asim BN. Reviewed by Ayaz Khan.
As a foundational piece of the internet, you would assume that a majority of internet-dependent Americans would know a lot about this concept. But according to cybersecurity website, All About Cookies, that may not be the case.
A 2025 All About Cookies survey found that only 40% of Americans have a general idea of the concept, while 24% reported they don't know the meaning of web hosting.
Additionally, the All About Cookies survey found that around one-fourth (25%) of respondents couldn’t correctly identify the essential functions and tasks of what a web host does. While most correctly identified that a web host stores website files and data, manages domain names, and makes a website visible to online users, some confuse web hosting responsibilities with tasks that align more with web design.
As evidenced by the graphic above, 27% of respondents incorrectly believed that web hosting consists of design elements, which is typically handled by a dedicated web or UX designer. Other users incorrectly believed cybersecurity measures like protecting sites from viruses or installing antiviruses as tasks a web host would handle. Alongside the incorrect answers, 6% of survey participants admitted they were not fully sure about what web hosting entailed.
Survey respondents put affordability at the forefront of their minds when making web hosting decisions, as evidenced by the graphic below.
Ease of setup was the second most important prioritization at 46%, followed by security and backups (39%).
With the combination of ease of use and heavy marketing tactics, web builders are at the top of the list when getting their site up and running. With that ease of use and affordability, these users are trading the full scale controllability that web hosting would provide them for a cheaper and more simplistic avenue than web hosting would.
Control over web hosting versus website builders is understood by only 40% of respondents with general web hosting knowledge. According to data pulled from the All About Cookies survey, 32% of Americans have actually tried building a website at some point in time by attempting to code it from scratch.
With many small businesses having limited funds when starting out, a majority build and manage their own site in-house. 65% of small business owners don’t outsource their websites and opt to build one themselves due to factors such as lack of funds or resources.
When it comes to how much small business owners pay for web building, they’re willing to spend $250 annually, on average. Of the small business owners surveyed, 68% reported spending between $50 and $250 annually.
Having a full knowledge of the web hosting and building landscape could benefit small business owners as well as individuals regardless of if users choose to build/host/code or employ someone to do so. Users who can combine their knowledge of web hosting with their wants and needs can make more informed web hosting decisions that could prove to give them a leg up from their less experienced peers.
About author:
Derick Migliacci is a Digital PR Strategist for AllAboutCookies.org. He brings 3 years of experience in the PR world as well as a passion for digital trends, cybersecurity, and technology.
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Web hosting knowledge in America
Web hosting is one of the most important aspects of websites on the internet. All sites need a hosting provider to keep their pages running and users online. Web hosting is currently supporting billions of websites and is also a multi-billion dollar industry with exponential growth in the future.As a foundational piece of the internet, you would assume that a majority of internet-dependent Americans would know a lot about this concept. But according to cybersecurity website, All About Cookies, that may not be the case.
A 2025 All About Cookies survey found that only 40% of Americans have a general idea of the concept, while 24% reported they don't know the meaning of web hosting.
Additionally, the All About Cookies survey found that around one-fourth (25%) of respondents couldn’t correctly identify the essential functions and tasks of what a web host does. While most correctly identified that a web host stores website files and data, manages domain names, and makes a website visible to online users, some confuse web hosting responsibilities with tasks that align more with web design.
As evidenced by the graphic above, 27% of respondents incorrectly believed that web hosting consists of design elements, which is typically handled by a dedicated web or UX designer. Other users incorrectly believed cybersecurity measures like protecting sites from viruses or installing antiviruses as tasks a web host would handle. Alongside the incorrect answers, 6% of survey participants admitted they were not fully sure about what web hosting entailed.
Price is the #1 factor for people when considering a web host
Many individuals build websites for personal brands, their own interests, or a variety of other reasons and require a host to get these websites live.Survey respondents put affordability at the forefront of their minds when making web hosting decisions, as evidenced by the graphic below.
Ease of setup was the second most important prioritization at 46%, followed by security and backups (39%).
Nearly one-third of Americans have tried building a website
With affordability and ease of setup at the top of user’s lists, it’s no surprise that many turn to popular web building providers such as Squarespace or Wix. These sites provide users with ease of setup without having to spend the money or resources to outsource the project. According to the All About Cookies survey, 74% of respondents who tried building a website on their own relied on these tools.
With the combination of ease of use and heavy marketing tactics, web builders are at the top of the list when getting their site up and running. With that ease of use and affordability, these users are trading the full scale controllability that web hosting would provide them for a cheaper and more simplistic avenue than web hosting would.
Control over web hosting versus website builders is understood by only 40% of respondents with general web hosting knowledge. According to data pulled from the All About Cookies survey, 32% of Americans have actually tried building a website at some point in time by attempting to code it from scratch.
Web Building For Small Businesses
Web building is a huge part of helping to build a small business, with the current age of online shopping and digital marketing it’s almost impossible to not employ someone or attempt to host a website yourself for your business.With many small businesses having limited funds when starting out, a majority build and manage their own site in-house. 65% of small business owners don’t outsource their websites and opt to build one themselves due to factors such as lack of funds or resources.
When it comes to how much small business owners pay for web building, they’re willing to spend $250 annually, on average. Of the small business owners surveyed, 68% reported spending between $50 and $250 annually.
Final Thoughts
Web hosting and building is something that users need in today’s digital age, and these findings prove that small business owners and individuals alike recognize that. The disconnect comes with people’s lack of education on the topic, but their desire to host and build with affordability as their main priority regardless of the reason for why they want to host or build their site.Having a full knowledge of the web hosting and building landscape could benefit small business owners as well as individuals regardless of if users choose to build/host/code or employ someone to do so. Users who can combine their knowledge of web hosting with their wants and needs can make more informed web hosting decisions that could prove to give them a leg up from their less experienced peers.
About author:
Derick Migliacci is a Digital PR Strategist for AllAboutCookies.org. He brings 3 years of experience in the PR world as well as a passion for digital trends, cybersecurity, and technology.
Read next:
• Gen Z Financial Struggles: 72% Social Life Impact, 67% Mental Health Hit, 47% Have One Hour or Less Free Daily
• Many Americans Unaware AI Powers Everyday Phone Features Like Weather Alerts and Call Screening
