Although a regular website hosting account is generally set up automatically, there're always small setup jobs that are executed manually by the hosting service provider. The set up of a virtual or a dedicated server usually requires more efforts as a lot of time is spent to install and configure the software and hardware setting, and after that test the server so as to guarantee its optimal functioning before it's given to the end user. In order to cover the time spent on that, a number of providers have a set-up fee that you need to pay every time you obtain your brand new hosting plan. In some cases, that particular charge won't show up before you reach the payment page and you will not see it before that on the main page next to the web hosting plan attributes. In the general case, this cost is one-time and it will vary from a small to a significant amount of money based on the supplier.