How Much is a Domain Name and Web Hosting? Everything You Need to Know
When you are looking to start a small business, one of the first things you need is a website.
But where do you begin?
Do you research domain names and web hosting separately, or purchase both at once?
This quick guide outlines everything you need to know about purchasing a domain name and web hosting. We’ve also included pricing information for both domains and web hosts so that you can make the best choices for your business!
The difference between a domain name vs web hosting
A domain name is the address of your website. It’s how people find you online.
Just like your home has an address, so does your website. And just like you need a physical address to get mail delivered to your house, you need a web address to get visitors to your site.
Web hosting is where you store the files and data that make up your website.
People who type in your web address look for those files on a server somewhere. That server is provided by a web hosting company. So when you sign up for web hosting, you’re renting space on that server for your website.
What’s the difference between a domain name and web hosting:
Your domain name is like your street address – it tells people where to find you online. Your web host stores all the files that make up your website and makes sure that visitors can find those files when they type in your domain name
You need a domain name AND a web hosting account to create a website.
Find the best hosting companies in South Africa
How much does a domain name cost?
How much do local domain names cost?
You can purchase a local .co.za domain for R90/year at Domains.co.za
If you buy your domain at Frikkadel.co.za, it’s slightly cheaper at R75/year.
How much do international domain name extensions cost?
The average cost of popular domain name extensions is around $8 to $12 per year.
Domain names with broad single-word names can cost millions of dollars.
Here are prices for international domain extensions at Namecheap (our recommended domain registrar):
- .com – $9.58/year
- .net – $10.98/year
- .org – $7.48 per year
2 Factors That Influence the Cost of a Domain Name
The domain registrar you choose
Domain registrars set their own prices, and the best ones are usually reasonably priced.
You want to make sure the registrar you choose is reliable and trustworthy. There are a variety of domain registrars available, each with its own features and packages.
Domain registrars offer different add-ons depending on what you need them for (e.g. SSL certificates, DNS management, etc.).
The most popular and reputable local domain registrars
- Domains.co.za
- Frikkadel
Popular international domain registrars:
- Namecheap (recommended)
- Godaddy
- Dynadot
Your top-level domain (TLD)
A top-level domain is the part of the URL after your specialized domain name. There are different types of top-level domains based on country, type, and specialty.
For example:
- .com
- .net
- .org
Country
- .co.za (South Africa)
- .ca (Canada)
- .us (United States)
Specialty
- .store
- .ai
Can You Buy a Domain Without Getting a Web Host?
You can buy a domain name without getting a web hosting account.
You can purchase your domain from one company and set up your web hosting with another provider.
How much does web hosting cost?
How much does local web hosting cost?
Based on our recommended South African web hosting provider, Domains.co.za:
You can get good hosting from Domains.co.za from R99/month
How much does international web hosting cost?
You can get reliable shared hosting from A2 Hosting for $5.99/month (12 months) or $9.99 monthly.
Our recommended option is fast, secure, fully managed cloud hosting from Cloudways starting from $10/month.
Options for choosing a domain name and web host?
Option 1: Buying Your Domain Name And Web Hosting Separately
Although it may seem more complicated, buying your domain name and web hosting separately is quite simple.
You just need to change the domain name servers (DNS) to point to your hosting provider. This process takes less than 2 minutes, and you will have complete control over your website.
The advantage of buying your domain name and web hosting separately is that you can move your domain and web hosting if unsatisfied with them.
For example, if you’re unsatisfied with your web hosting service, you can quickly move to another provider.
We recommend this option when purchasing international domains and hosting.
Option 2: Buying A Domain Name And Web Hosting Together
While there are a few reasons to buy your domain name and web hosting together, the biggest one is convenience.
This path is convenient and straightforward, making it a good option for those looking for a website who don’t have much time to invest.
By buying both from the same company, you can often get a discount, which makes this option even more appealing.
When you buy a domain name and web hosting together, the web host will take care of your initial configuration. This means you don’t need to worry about it yourself, which can save you a lot of hassle.
Conclusion: website and domain hosting
Purchasing a domain name and web hosting doesn’t have to be expensive.
In fact, there are many affordable options available. To find the best registrar for your needs, compare pricing, features, and customer reviews. Once you’ve found the perfect fit, you can start building your dream website or blog.
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