The quick explanation
Think of your website as a shop: the domain is the address, the hosting is the land it’s built on and SSL is the lock protecting what goes in and out.
What a domain is
It’s the name people use to reach your site, like yourbusiness.com. You rent it for set periods, usually a year, and need to renew it. If you don’t, you can lose it.
Most importantly, it should be registered in your name. There’s more in how to choose a domain.
What hosting is
It’s the service that stores your site’s files on an always-on server so anyone can visit. Good hosting affects speed, stability and security.
Buying a domain doesn’t always include hosting, and vice versa. They’re two services, even though many providers sell them together.
What SSL is
It’s a certificate that encrypts information traveling between the browser and your site. You can tell because the address starts with https. Without it, browsers may show a “not secure” warning that scares visitors away.
Many providers include it at no cost. Check that it works with and without “www” and that it renews automatically.
What to ask before paying
- Whose name is the domain registered in?
- How much is renewal? It can differ from the first year.
- Is SSL included?
- Are there backups?
- Who helps if the site goes down?
What about maintenance?
Domain, hosting and SSL keep your site online, but someone still has to renew, update and make changes. See what website maintenance includes and which costs to expect.
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