Every website needs two things: a domain (its address) and hosting (where its files live). Understanding them helps you avoid common and costly mistakes.
What is a domain?
Your domain is your website’s address, like yourbusiness.com or yourbusiness.in. You rent it yearly from a registrar. Typical cost: about ₹800–₹1,500 a year.
Choosing a domain
- Short, easy to spell and say on the phone.
- Your business name if available.
- .com or .in both work well for Indian businesses.
- Avoid hyphens and numbers if possible.
What is hosting?
Hosting is the server that stores your website and shows it to visitors. Typical cost for a business site: about ₹3,000–₹8,000 a year. Shopify stores include hosting in the subscription.
Types of hosting
| Type | Best for |
|---|---|
| Shared hosting | Small business websites |
| Managed WordPress hosting | WordPress sites wanting speed and less upkeep |
| Cloud or VPS | Larger sites and stores |
Business email
An email like you@yourbusiness.com looks more professional than a free address and helps email delivery. Set up the DNS records correctly; our SPF and DMARC generator helps.
The most important rule
Register your domain and hosting in your own name, with your email and login. Many businesses have lost their website because a former developer controlled the accounts. If someone else set them up, ask them to transfer ownership now.
Renewals
Turn on auto-renew for your domain. An expired domain takes your website and email offline.
Want the full picture? This article is part of Business websites: the complete guide, our in-depth guide with everything in one place.
