If you’ve found your way to this post, then you’re probably setting up your website and asking yourself, “What is the best domain host?” Figuring out the best domain host for you – and understanding what, exactly it is – can be a challenge!
That’s because when you’re launching your own website, you’ll need to think about all kinds of hosting. You’ll need to choose a domain host, a web host, and an email host. If that feels like a lot, don’t worry. We’ve got you!
In this post, we’ll talk about domain hosting, including the answer to the question, “what is the best domain host?” We’ll also break down how it’s different from web hosting and email hosting, and share our picks and best practices.
What is domain hosting?
A domain host is the place you can purchase a domain name for your website (like www.southerncreativeco.com). You can think of your domain like a street address that tells people where they can find your website.
However, it doesn’t store or manage the content that people see when they visit your website (more on that in a minute). A domain is simply the address where people can find your website on the internet.
Domain hosts store those domain names and facilitate their sale and registration. So, if you want a unique website name, you purchase one from a domain host.
Common domain hosts include:
- Bluehost
- GoDaddy
- Siteground
- Domain.com
- Namecheap
Some all-in-one services, like Squarespace and Wix, offer domain hosting, website hosting, and website building all in one place. However, you can buy a domain from any host you like.
What is the best domain host?
We love Namecheap because it’s so easy to use. All you have to do is type in the website domain name you’re thinking of for your business and search. Namecheap quickly tells you if it’s available or if there are potential alternatives.
Pro Tip! When choosing a domain name for your business, pick something memorable that matches your brand identity–and that ends in a “.com” (Even if you set up something else like a “.net” or “.info,” people will assume your site ends in “.com” and make the mistake of typing it in anyway.)
Read our blog on setting up your WordPress website to learn more about choosing a domain!
What is web hosting?
While a domain points people to your website address, a web host is where all the files that make up your website live.
Web hosts rent space where you can store all the images, files, and text that run your website. When people type your URL into their browser, they connect with your web host, which then sends files to their computer so they can view your website.
So, if the domain is like the virtual street address that people use to find your business, hosting is the virtual building where your website actually exists.
Just like any space you rent for your business, this space doesn’t automatically come with custom decor, furniture, and display shelves for your business–that’s where a website building software like WordPress comes in.
Web host vs. domain host
Web hosts and domain hosts are easy to confuse because they’re closely related–and they’re both responsible for getting people onto your website. Often, they’re offered by the same company. To make it easy for people to get started with a new website, companies like Bluehost will often sell you a domain and then offer basic hosting packages at the same time.
However, these are very different services. Domain hosts provide domain names, which are website addresses. Web hosts store website content on internet servers so other people can view it when they type a domain name into their browser.
Choosing a reliable web host is important because it can have a huge impact on your website performance and speed (which, in turn affects your site’s technical SEO–and can impact your search rankings!
What is the best web host?
For WordPress websites, my top hosting pick is Kinsta, with Flywheel as a close second. Both of these hosting services are perfect for WordPress websites because they stay up to date with security and site speed updates.
Want to learn more about why we love Kinsta and Flywheel? Read our deep dive on how to pick the best WordPress hosting for your website!
What is email hosting?
Much like web hosting is space for your website, email hosting provides server space for your email accounts and services. Going with hosted email allows you to have an email at your website (like hello@southerncreativeco.com).
If you have your own business and want to send marketing emails, you definitely want email hosting. It adds credibility and deliverability that you won’t get with a regular Gmail account.
Our email hosting recommendation
While you can usually get email hosting through your website hosting provider, we prefer Google Workspace (formerly known as GSuite). It works like the Gmail and Google Drive you already know and love, but you get so many more features with Google-hosted email, like:
- An email address at your domain
- More storage (in your email and Drive)
- Advanced security features
- Guaranteed uptime
- Ability to add multiple sharable drives and calendars
Want to know more about custom domain email best practices? Right this way!
Keep your domain host, web host, and email host separate
Even though you technically can get all of these services from the same provider, that’s not our recommendation. Why? We like keeping our email, domain, and web hosting in different “silos” just in case any of their servers ever go down. If that happens, keeping everything separate means your business will still run relatively smoothly while you get the rest of your tech back online.
Here are a few other reasons separating your hosting services is ideal.
Better security
Using separate services minimizes security risk because it’s more difficult to break into three separate services. If one of your hosting providerse gets hacked, the other two accounts are still safe and sound.
Better performance
Different providers specialize in different areas. Namecheap is fabulous for buying domains, but it’s not the best host. Kinsta is an amazing web host, but it’s not the best email host. Using separate hosting providers means you get to pick and choose the best services for each job.
Easier management
When your hosting services are separate, it makes managing and migrating things easier. If you decide to switch web hosting providers, then it won’t affect your email or domain registration (which can be a huge headache!)
Looking for the best domain host?
Head over to Namecheap and start your search today!
