Web Hosting and Domain Guide – Setup, Cost & Tips

To launch a website, you need 2 things: a domain name and web hosting. Without these, your website will not be viewable on the internet.

This guide will give you an overview of Domains, how they work today, how they are used, the options available for Domain Names and Hosting, and what you should avoid.

Table of Contents

What Is a Domain Name?

The term “domain name” refers to the location of your web page (website) on the World Wide Web. An example would be: example.com.

The domain name supports finding the website by prospective users, as well as providing a connection between the user and your company (i.e., creating brand awareness). After registering a domain name, provided you pay to maintain the return period on time, no other individual or business can take it.

Types of Domain Extensions

Domain extensions fall into two main categories:

Generic Domains (gTLDs)

These work worldwide:

.com – Most trusted and widely used
.net – Tech and network-based projects
.org – Organizations and communities
.edu – Educational institutions
.gov – Government websites

Country-Based Domains (ccTLDs)

These target specific regions:

.in – India
.uk – United Kingdom
.eu – European Union
.es – Spain

If your business targets a local market, a country domain improves regional trust and SEO.

How to Check Domain Availability

Before buying, always check if your domain is available. You can also explore premium brandable domains on Atom.com, which offers curated domain names for businesses and startups.

You can:

Search directly on a domain registrar website
Type the domain in your browser
Use bulk domain search tools

If .com is taken, consider:

Adding keywords
Using .net or .co
Choosing a country extension

Domain Pricing Explained

Domain prices depend on:

Extension type
Demand level
Premium keywords

Average yearly costs:

.com → Medium price
.in → Lower cost
Premium domains → High price

After you register a domain, you can change it only once; otherwise, you will lose your branding and SEO for that name.

What Is Web Hosting?

Web hosting stores your website’s files on a server so people can find it online. If you don’t have a Web Host to store your website files on the server, your website cannot be accessed by anyone.

If you plan to build your site using a content management system, you should also understand how WordPress works and why many website owners use it.

Common Types of Hosting

Shared Hosting: Top choice for personal blog and small websites. Very low cost with easy setup.

VPS Hosting: Perfect for small to growing businesses. Has superior control and faster speed.

Cloud Hosting: Scalable and Stable. Designed to handle larger traffic increases.

Managed WordPress Hosting: WordPress optimised, including automatic updates and security.

Free Hosting vs Paid Hosting

Problems With Free Hosting

Forced ads on your site
Slow speed
Limited storage
Weak security
No data guarantee

Free hosting hurts SEO and brand trust.

Benefits of Paid Hosting

Faster page speed
Better uptime
Daily backups
SSL security
Professional support

Search engines favour fast and secure websites. Paid hosting helps rankings.

Learn more about the importance of website speed and how hosting performance affects SEO and user experience.

How to Choose the Right Hosting Provider

Look for these features:

99.9% uptime guarantee
SSD storage
Free SSL certificate
Daily backups
24/7 customer support
Easy control panel

Avoid extremely cheap providers with poor reviews.

Why Many Website Owners Use Professionals

Setting up hosting and domains looks simple, but mistakes cause:

Website downtime
Data loss
Slow performance
SEO problems

A web professional helps:

Choose the correct plan
Configure DNS settings
Secure your website
Optimise server performance

This saves money and time long-term.

Final Thoughts

A strong website starts with:

Domain Name
Web Hosting
Setup

When working on this part, take your time – Your domain and hosting play a significant role in your site’s performance (speed), your site’s safety (security), and the way in which search engines will rank your site within their databases.

When considering your business’s long-term goals, it’s wise to prioritise quality hosting and a professional setup.

FAQs

What happens to my domain if I cancel hosting?

The domain name you have chosen is yours. Web hosting and internet access registration are provided separately. Cancellation of web hosting will result in the immediate loss of access to the website, but you may transfer the domain name to another web host at any time.

Is .com or .io better?

Almost all websites should opt for a .com domain because it has a strong global reputation, is easy to recall, and is widely accepted as the standard by most web users.

Tech startups and software developers frequently use the .io extension because it is cost-prohibitive and less well-known among average internet users. Typically, a .com domain is the best option for a business’s online presence and search engine optimization efforts.

Can I buy a domain name without hosting?

It is possible to obtain a Domain Name without a hosting account; however, many people prefer to get the Domain Name first and add hosting later. While no hosting account is linked to the Domain Name you purchased, it remains reserved until one is connected.

Is GoDaddy a domain or hosting provider?

GoDaddy is both a domain registrar and a hosting provider. You can buy domain names, web hosting, email hosting, SSL certificates, and other website services from GoDaddy.