Domain vs. Hosting | What’s the Difference?
Show of hands – who else feels personally victimized by website jargon. 🙋♀️
If you’re feeling lost at the idea of even getting started, you’re not alone. In this post, we’re starting with the very foundation of your website: Domain vs. Hosting, to help you navigate these crucial first steps of starting your doula website with confidence.
Before you hit that launch button on your website, there are two must-haves to consider: Domain and Hosting. Keep reading to break down each of these terms.
What is a Domain?
Imagine your website as your digital home. Your domain is your address. It's the unique location that people type in their browser to find your website. For example, my domain is “douladesignco.com”
Tip: Securing your domain name is the first step to getting your online presence up and running. While all websites come with a built-in domain (like douladesignco.squarespace.com), you'll want to purchase a custom domain before you launch your birth website.
Where to Purchase Your Domain Name
There are many places to buy a custom domain name. Some examples include GoDaddy, Namecheap, and Squarespace. However we recommend purchasing it directly through Squarespace alongside your hosting (more on that in a sec). Domains usually range in price between $9 - $20, which will conveniently renew each year.
How to Add a Custom Domain to Your Website
There are three ways to add a custom domain name to your website:
Purchase a New Custom Domain: Starting fresh? Purchase a domain directly through Squarespace.
Connect Your Domain Name to Squarespace: Already own a domain through another provider (ex- Go Daddy)? Easily link it to your Squarespace site and manage both separately. Here’s how.
Transfer your Domain To Squarespace: Looking to simplify the website process and organize everything in one place? Easily transfer your domain name from your current provider (ex- Go Daddy) to Squarespace. Here’s how.
New website? No problem. For domains hosted by Squarespace, you now have the option to transfer your domain to another site directly from your dashboard. Here’s how.
So, what’s the difference between a domain and hosting?
What is Hosting?
If your domain is your address, hosting is like the rent you pay to live there. Just like you need a piece of land to build a house, your website needs hosting to exist on the internet.
Key Point: Hosting is paid directly to your website host (i.e. Squarespace, Wix, Wordpress) and can be paid for monthly or annually. You can learn more about Squarespace hosting HERE.
How do I purchase hosting?
Once logged into your site, select Settings > Billing & Account from the navigation panel. From there, Squarespace will lead you through the setup process.
Remember, even though you will have a 6-month free trial, securing both a domain and hosting is necessary before you officially launch your website.
Feeling a tad less overwhelmed? I hope so. And if this information was helpful, be sure to bookmark this page for later or share with a doula friend. Until next time.
