Domain vs hosting — what's the difference?
Your domain is your web address (like yourshop.com); hosting is the server that stores your actual website files and makes it accessible online. You need both, but they're separate services. You can buy a domain from one company and host your site elsewhere, or bundle them together. Think of it like owning a street address versus owning the building on that lot.
- Domain is your address; hosting is where your site lives—two different things.
- You can buy them separately or together; neither locks you in permanently.
- Cheap domain registrars and hosting providers exist, but bundled solutions often save headaches.
- Switching hosts is easier than switching domains, so choose your domain name carefully.
- SSL (the padlock icon) encrypts traffic and is now standard on nearly all hosting plans.
What exactly is a domain?
Your domain is the name people type into their browser—yourshop.com, your-salon.net, whatever you choose. It's essentially a human-readable label that points to your website's actual location on the internet. You rent a domain from a registrar (like GoDaddy, Namecheap, or Google Domains) for about $10–15 per year, though premium names cost more.
The domain itself doesn't store anything. It's just a forwarding address. When someone visits yourshop.com, the domain system looks up where that site actually lives (the hosting server) and directs them there.
- Domains are registered annually and auto-renew unless you cancel.
- You can transfer a domain to a different registrar anytime (usually for a small fee).
- Buying a domain doesn't automatically give you a website—you still need hosting.
- You can own a domain and point it to a website built anywhere.
A domain is a rental agreement for a web address that lasts one year at a time and can be moved to any hosting provider.
What is hosting and why do you need it?
Hosting is the actual server—a computer running 24/7—that stores your website's files (HTML, images, databases, everything) and serves them to visitors. When someone visits your domain, their browser connects to your hosting server, downloads your site's files, and displays them. Without hosting, your domain points to nothing.
Hosting plans range from cheap shared servers (where your site shares resources with hundreds of others) to dedicated servers (where you rent an entire machine). Most small businesses use shared hosting, which costs $5–20 per month.
- Hosting stores your actual website files and makes them accessible 24/7.
- Shared hosting is cheapest; dedicated hosting gives you more power and privacy.
- Hosting plans typically include email accounts, SSL certificates, and backup storage.
- You can switch hosting providers and keep your domain—just update the forwarding address.
Hosting is a monthly or annual rental of server space where your website files live and are delivered to visitors.
Can you buy them separately or do they have to be bundled?
You can absolutely buy them separately. Many small-business owners register a domain at one company (like Namecheap) and host their site at another (like Bluehost or SiteFly). The domain registrar and hosting provider don't have to be the same company—you just point the domain to the hosting server's address.
Bundling domain and hosting together (buying both from one provider) is convenient and often slightly cheaper, but it can make switching harder later. If you ever want to move your site to a different host, you'll need to update the domain's forwarding settings, which is usually straightforward but adds a step.
- Separate: Buy domain from Registrar A, host site at Provider B. Update domain settings to point to Provider B.
- Bundled: Buy both from one company. Simpler setup, but switching hosts later requires changing domain settings.
- Most builders (including SiteFly) let you use a domain you already own or register one through them.
Domains and hosting are separate services, but you can buy them from the same company for convenience or from different companies for flexibility.
What happens if you want to switch website builders?
If your domain and hosting are separate, switching is straightforward: you just point your domain to the new host's server. If they're bundled, you'll need to either transfer the domain to a new registrar or update the forwarding settings with your current registrar.
The real question is whether you own your site's code. Some builders (like SiteFly) let you own your code outright and host it anywhere; others lock you into their platform. If you own the code, you can take it anywhere. If you don't, you're stuck rebuilding on the new platform.
- If domain and hosting are separate, switching hosts is a DNS update (usually takes a few hours).
- If bundled, you can transfer the domain to a new registrar or update forwarding settings.
- Code ownership matters more than domain ownership—check whether your builder lets you export your site.
- SiteFly lets you own your code outright (one-time purchase) and host it anywhere you want.
Switching builders is easiest when your domain, hosting, and code are all under your control—not locked into one platform.
Do you need to worry about SSL and security?
SSL is a security protocol that encrypts data between your visitor's browser and your server—you'll see the padlock icon in the address bar when it's active. It's now standard on nearly all hosting plans and is included free with most builders. Google also ranks sites with SSL slightly higher, so it's become a baseline expectation.
You don't need to do anything special to get SSL. Most hosting providers and website builders (including SiteFly) set it up automatically. If you're using an older or very cheap host, check that SSL is included before signing up.
SSL encryption is now standard on nearly all hosting plans and is included automatically—you don't need to buy it separately.
Questions people also ask
Can I register a domain without building a website right away?
Yes. You can register a domain and let it sit unused for months or years. It'll just renew annually until you cancel. Many people buy a domain early to secure the name, then build the site later. Just remember to renew it before it expires or you'll lose it.
What if my domain registrar and hosting provider go out of business?
If your registrar closes, you can transfer your domain to another registrar before it expires. If your host closes, your site goes offline, but you can download your files (if you have access) and move them to a new host. This is why owning your code and keeping backups matters.
Is it cheaper to bundle domain and hosting, or buy separately?
Bundling is usually slightly cheaper upfront, but buying separately gives you more flexibility to switch providers later. The annual savings from bundling are usually $10–30, which is minor compared to the cost of being locked in if you want to move.
Can I change my domain name after my website is live?
Yes, but it's a hassle. You'd need to register a new domain, update all your marketing materials, and set up redirects from the old domain to the new one. It's better to choose carefully the first time. Old domains can still point to your new one for a while to avoid losing traffic.
Current plans and prices live on the pricing page, and the FAQ answers the questions we hear most.