Domains & Hosting: What's the Difference and Why You Need Both.

When you're setting up your small business website, you need to purchase both a domain and web hosting. But what's the difference between the two, and why do you need both? Read on to find out!

Your Domain: The Address of Your Website

Your domain is your website's address on the internet. It's what people will type into their browser to find your site (For example, www.kellyc.me). Once you've decided on a domain name, you need to purchase it from a domain registrar like GoDaddy or 1&1 Ionos. You can usually buy domains for around $10-15 per year. 

Web Hosting: Where Your Website Lives 

Once you have a domain name, you need to purchase web hosting. This is basically renting space on a server for your website's files. When someone types your domain name into their browser, they're directed to your hosting server, which serves up your website. You can either purchase your own hosting (approximately $10-$20 per month) or stay on my plan when your site launches ($20 per month). 

Why You Need Both 

Your domain name is like the address of your house—it's how people find you. Your web hosting is like the actual house itself—it's where your stuff lives and where people come when they want to see what you've got going on. It's important that you have your own domain name and hosting. It shows that you're professional and serious about what you're doing. 

Domain names and web hosting may seem confusing at first, but hopefully, this article has helped clear things up. Remember: your domain name is your address on the internet, and your web host is where your website lives online. Most importantly, remember that you're not on your own, I often help my clients set up both their domain and hosting!