In short: A domain name is your website’s address (like yourbusiness.co.uk), and web hosting is the server space where your website’s files live. You need both for a website to work. Register the domain in your own name so you always control it, choose hosting that’s secure and reliable, and make sure your site has an SSL certificate.
Domain names and web hosting are two of the most confusing parts of getting a website, mostly because they’re invisible. You can see your website, but not the address book or the computer behind it.
They’re also the parts that cause the most trouble later. Some of the most stressful situations I help business owners with aren’t design problems at all; they’re about someone not being able to get into their own domain name. So in this guide I’ll explain both in plain English, and tell you what to watch out for.
The difference between a domain name and web hosting
The easiest way to think about it is a shop:
- Your domain name is your address. It’s what people type to find you, like yourbusiness.co.uk.
- Your web hosting is the building. It’s the space on a server (a powerful computer that’s always online) where your website’s files are kept.
- Your website is what’s inside the shop. The pages, words and photos.
The domain name points visitors to the hosting, and the hosting serves up your website. You can buy them from the same company or from different ones, and you can move either one without changing the other.
Choosing a domain name
A good domain name is short, easy to spell and easy to say out loud. Ideally it’s your business name, or close to it. A few tips:
- Avoid hyphens and numbers where you can, as they’re easy to get wrong when said aloud
- Keep it as short as practical
- Make sure it doesn’t accidentally spell something unfortunate when the words run together
- Check you’re not using someone else’s trademark or business name
.co.uk or .com?
This is one of the most common questions I’m asked. Here’s how I see it:
| .co.uk | .com | |
|---|---|---|
| Signals | A UK-based business | An international or general business |
| Best for | Businesses serving UK customers | Businesses selling abroad, or where the .co.uk is taken |
| Availability | Often easier to get the name you want | Many short names are already taken |
| Customer trust in the UK | Very familiar and trusted | Also familiar and trusted |
If you mainly work with UK customers, a .co.uk is a natural choice. If you can, it’s worth registering both and pointing one at the other, so nobody else can take the version you didn’t use. There are other endings too, such as .uk or .london, but .co.uk and .com are the ones customers are most used to.
Register your domain in your own name
If you take one thing from this guide, make it this: your domain name should be registered in your name, or your company’s name, with login details that you hold.
Your domain is the address your customers, your Google listing and your business email all depend on. If someone else controls it, they effectively control your online presence.
When I help a client with a new domain, I make sure it’s registered to them. I can help manage it, but the ownership stays with the business.
What to watch for when someone else registers it
It’s very common for a web designer, a relative or a former employee to have registered a domain on a business’s behalf. That’s not a problem in itself, but it can become one. Check these points:
- Who is the registrant? That’s the legal owner of the domain. It should be you or your business.
- Who has the login? You should have your own access to the account where the domain is registered.
- Which email address is on the account? If it’s an address you can’t access, you may not get renewal reminders or be able to reset the password.
- When does it expire? Domains must be renewed. If a renewal is missed, the domain can lapse and someone else could register it.
- Is auto-renew switched on? This is the easiest protection against an accidental lapse.
If you’re unsure, ask whoever set it up to transfer it into your name now, while you’re on good terms. It’s a far easier conversation before anything goes wrong.
Business email on your domain
Once you own a domain, you can use it for email, so your address ends in your own business name rather than a free webmail provider’s. It looks more professional and builds trust, especially on quotes and invoices.
Email is usually set up separately from your website, often through a service like Google Workspace or Microsoft 365, or sometimes through your hosting provider. The domain’s settings (called DNS records, which are basically the domain’s directions) tell the internet where to send your email and where to find your website.
This is why changes to a domain should always be made carefully. Moving a website without copying the email settings across is a classic way to suddenly stop receiving emails.
Types of web hosting
Not all hosting is the same. Here are the main types you’ll come across, in plain terms:
- Shared hosting: your website shares a server with many others. It’s the cheapest option and fine for many small sites, but a busy neighbour can slow you down.
- Managed WordPress hosting: hosting set up specifically for WordPress, often with automatic backups, updates and extra security included.
- VPS (virtual private server): a dedicated slice of a server with guaranteed resources. Faster and more flexible, but needs more technical know-how to manage.
- Dedicated server: a whole server just for you. Usually overkill for a small business website.
- Hosted platforms: with Shopify (and similar website builders), hosting is included in the subscription and managed for you.
For most small business WordPress sites, a well-run shared or managed hosting set-up is plenty. What matters more than the label is reliability, security, regular backups and good support. My WordPress vs Shopify guide explains how hosting differs between the two platforms.
SSL certificates: the padlock
An SSL certificate encrypts the information passing between your visitor’s browser and your website. It’s what puts the padlock in the address bar and makes your address start with “https”.
Every website needs one, not just online shops. Browsers show warnings on sites without it, which puts visitors off, and Google treats secure sites as the standard. Many hosts include a free SSL certificate, so there’s rarely a reason not to have one.
Should you manage it yourself or let someone else?
You can absolutely buy a domain and hosting yourself and manage them. If you’re comfortable logging in to control panels and keeping track of renewals, it’s not difficult.
If you’d rather not, my hosting and care plan covers hosting, security updates, backups and support, so there’s one person to contact if anything goes wrong. Either way, the domain stays in your name. You can see what’s included on my pricing page, and my website maintenance guide explains what ongoing care involves.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a domain name and web hosting?
A domain name is your website’s address, like yourbusiness.co.uk. Web hosting is the server space where your website’s files are stored. The domain points visitors to the hosting, and you need both for a website to work.
Should my business use .co.uk or .com?
If you mainly serve UK customers, a .co.uk is a natural choice that signals you’re UK-based. If you trade internationally, a .com may suit better. Where you can, register both so nobody else can take the other.
Who should own my business domain name?
You should, or your company. The domain should be registered in your name with login details you hold, even if a web designer helps manage it.
Can I move my website to a different host?
Yes. Your website files and database can be moved to a new host, and the domain is then pointed to the new location. It needs care, especially with email settings, but it’s a routine job.
Do I need an SSL certificate for a small website?
Yes. Every website should have one, as browsers warn visitors about sites without it. Many hosts include SSL for free.
Can I get a business email address with my domain?
Yes. Once you own a domain, you can set up email addresses on it using a service like Google Workspace or Microsoft 365, or through your hosting provider.
Need help with your domain or hosting?
If you’re not sure who controls your domain, or you’d like your website hosted and looked after properly, tell me about your situation in a free chat. You can get in touch here or read more about my hosting and care services.
