The Simple Explanation
Domain = Your Address
A domain is your website's address—like "example.com". It's what people type to find you.
Cost: $10-20/year
Hosting = Your Building
Hosting is where your website's files actually live—the servers that store and serve your content.
Cost: $3-30/month
Real-World Analogy
Think of it like a physical store. Your domain is the street address (123 Main St). Your hosting is the actual building where your store operates. You need both—an address without a building has nowhere to go, and a building without an address can't be found.
Do You Need Both?
For a Website: Yes, You Need Both
If you want a functional website that people can visit, you need a domain (address) and hosting (where the site lives).
For Email Only: Maybe Just Domain
If you only want a professional email (you@yourdomain.com), you need a domain plus email hosting—but not website hosting. Services like Google Workspace or Zoho handle the email.
To Reserve a Name: Just Domain
Want to claim a domain for later? You only need to register the domain—no hosting required until you're ready to build.
Should You Get Both From the Same Place?
Benefits of Separating Them
- ✓ Use the best provider for each
- ✓ Usually cheaper overall
- ✓ Easier to switch hosting later
- ✓ More flexibility and control
Benefits of Bundling
- → Simpler setup for beginners
- → One account to manage
- → Sometimes bundle discounts
- → DNS configured automatically
Our Recommendation
Separate them. Get your domain from a domain-focused registrar (Cloudflare, Porkbun) and hosting from a hosting specialist. This gives you the best prices and most flexibility.
How They Connect
You register example.com at a domain registrar
You sign up for hosting and get server details (nameservers or IP)
You update your domain's DNS to point to your hosting
Now when someone types example.com, they reach your hosted site
Quick Comparison
| Aspect | Domain | Hosting |
|---|---|---|
| What It Is | Your web address | Server storing files |
| Typical Cost | $10-20/year | $3-30/month |
| Renewal | Annual | Monthly or Annual |
| Can Switch | Yes (transfer) | Yes (migrate) |
| Example Providers | Cloudflare, Porkbun | Vercel, Netlify, Hostinger |
Modern Alternatives
Website Builders That Include Both
Some platforms bundle everything together:
- Squarespace: Domain + hosting + builder (from $16/mo)
- Wix: Domain + hosting + builder (from $16/mo)
- Shopify: Domain + hosting + e-commerce (from $29/mo)
These are convenient but typically cost more than separate services.
Getting Started
Step 1: Register your domain at a good registrar (we recommend Cloudflare or Porkbun)
Step 2: Choose hosting based on your needs (Vercel/Netlify for simple sites, managed hosting for WordPress)
Step 3: Connect them by updating your domain's DNS settings
Compare Domain Registrars →