You’ve been told you need a website for your side hustle, but every article about domains and hosting sounds like it was written by robots for robots. There’s a lot of jargon and now you feel overwhelmed. The pricing is confusing. And nobody explains what you really need when you’re starting a business during your evenings and weekends.
I’m a solo web designer who works with UK side hustles. I get a lot of questions about domains and hosting and the internet of things. When your starting out its helpful to understand the difference between domain and hosting. In this guide I’ll break down the terms so that its easy to understand if your based in the UK. This will help you with your budget from day one.
A domain is your website’s unique address on the internet that people type into their search bar to find you.
Hosting is the rented space on a server where all your website files are stored and delivered to visitors 24/7.
Read on!
The Difference Between Domain and Hosting Explained
Your domain is your website’s address. Web hosting is the space where your website files live. You need both to have a fully functional website.
Think of setting up a market stall for your side hustle. Your domain name is like your stall’s address – ‘Great Barr Website Design, Stall 1500, Birmingham Markets’. Web hosting is the physical stall space you rent. Your website is all the products, displays and signage you put in that space.
You can own a domain without having a website. It just shows a parked page. But you can’t have a website without having a domain and hosting at the same time. They work together.
According to ICANN, the official body that manages domains, a domain registration gives you the exclusive right to use that specific web address for a set period. Usually one year at a time. The hosting service stores your website files on a server connected to the internet 24/7.
When someone types your domain into their browser, the hosting service delivers your website files to their screen.
What Domain and Hosting Really Cost UK Side Hustlers
The industry uses dirty trick though. Watch out for the ridiculously cheap domains you see everywhere for £1 and £2 per month. After year 1, the price hikes exponentially.
Here’s what domains usually cost in the UK after the introductory period (excluding VAT):
- .co.uk domains: £15 per year
- .com domains: £20 per year
- specialist domains (.shop, .design): £40 per year
If you are not sure about how to make the purchase your website designer will purchase on your behalf for a small fee. This is usual for any industry.
And hosting costs for UK side hustles after the introductory period (excluding VAT):
- Basic shared hosting: £10 per month
- WordPress hosting: £25 per month
- Premium hosting with better speed: £50 per month
Jenny, who runs a trauma coaching business called me to explain that her hosting company had increased her price 3 fold and she couldn’t work out why. I did some digging and what I found was she had purchased a cheap hosting plan not realising what was £25 in the first year would become £400 in the second year. Jeannie was frantic trying to find a better deal so of course I helped her out.
Budget for the real ongoing costs from year two. Your side hustle deserves a proper foundation and no nasty price surprises later that will deflate you.
Why You Need Both. A Domain and Hosting
Understanding what is web hosting vs domain helps explain why you need both services working together.
You buy your domain from a domain registrar. You rent hosting space from a web hosting company. You connect your domain to your hosting using nameservers. Then you build your website on the hosting space. If you do it in the order as a newbie, you are less likely to become confused.
Most companies sell domain and hosting together, which can simplify setup. But it’s not always the cheapest option long-term and you lose control if you want to switch providers later.
Keep control of your own domain registration. It’s your business asset, not theirs. If your website designer has purchased on your behalf, transferring it across to you is never a problem. If it is, that’s a red flag.
How Much Should You Budget
You don’t need revenue from your side hustle to afford a website. Most of my clients fund their websites using their main job salary, savings or payment plans. See the full breakdown of website costs for the UK here.
If you have £380 saved that’s perfect for basic domain and hosting for the first year, plus a website builder.
If you have £1,500 this gets you a custom designed website, professional hosting and your domain sorted. Many of my clients use their monthly salary on a payment plan for this investment rather than waiting for side hustle income. The more time you are without a website, the more you loose in revenue.
If you prefer payment plans spread the cost over a period of months. My Starter Package costs £1,500 and you can either pay the full amount upfront by debit card, credit card or BACS transfer, or choose a payment plan with a £300 deposit followed by monthly payments. The Premium Package is £4,750 and works the same way, pay in full using any of those payment methods or start with a £1,500 deposit and spread the rest over monthly payments.
According to Nominet, the official company that manages all .uk domains in the UK, there are over 13 million .co.uk domains registered in their latest data. Your customers expect to find you online. A professional domain and reliable hosting aren’t nice-to-haves, They are business essentials if you want to be taken seriously and grow your business.
What Really Matters When Choosing Domains and Hosting
After working with loads of side hustlers in the UK I have learned that its best to spend time choosing a domain that you can live with for years to come. Changing your domain name half way down the line will have an affect on your whole business model. Your SEO, emails, business stationary, the lot. Its expensive and confusing for customers.
If you’re serious about your business make sure you’re not going cheap for your hosting from the beginning. It will leave a bad taste in your mouth. Slow loading times on websites directly impact your sales. Google’s research shows that 53% of mobile users abandon sites that take longer than 3 seconds to load.
Buy domain and hosting separately for better control and pricing. Factor in renewal costs, not just first-year prices. When customers come to me for a website I always give an indication of the price for subsequent years.
So…What’s The Difference Between Domain and Hosting
Your domain gets people to your door, hosting keeps that door open. Check availability for .co.uk first then, select hosting based on your budget and connect them. A domain is your website’s unique address on the internet that people type into their search bar to find you. Hosting is the rented space on a server where all your website files are stored and delivered to visitors 24/7.
I’m Onika Sabrina, web designer in Great Barr, Birmingham who works exclusively with side hustles and small businesses. Transparent pricing from £1,500, payment plans available and your website delivered in 2-4 weeks. No agency overhead, no corporate pricing, just affordable websites that convert.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Domains and Hosting
Is buying a domain the same as hosting?
No. A domain is your website’s address. Like OnikaSabrina.co.uk), whilst hosting is the space where your website files live. You need both to have a functioning website.
Can I host a website without a domain?
No. You need a domain name for people to find your website. You can own a domain without a website, but you can’t have a website without a domain.
Is it better to have your own domain or a website?
You need both. A domain without a website just shows a parked page. A website needs a domain so people can find it. Think of them as working together – your domain is the address, your website is the actual business.
What is web hosting?
Web hosting is the rented space on a server where all your website files are stored and delivered to visitors 24/7. When someone types your domain name, the hosting service shows them your website.
Hosting and Domain Prices?
UK domains cost £20 per year after the first year. Hosting costs £25 per month depending on what you need. Excluding VAT.