Mixing and Matching Website Builder, Web Hosting, & Domain Name

It’s almost like we are coordinating an outfit.  But unlike clothes, you can’t always make it all work together.

Domain name, website builder, web hosting

Domain Name: This is your website address, i.e. your-website.com, how people will access your website.  Generally, you can get your domain name anywhere, from any domain name selling company/domain name registrar.  We haven’t found a case yet where you couldn’t, but still, it could be possible theoretically that a company would mandate that you purchase your domain name through them to use their website builder and/or web hosting services.  Probably wouldn’t want to use their services in any case then.

The important buyer beware fact that you should know when buying your domain name is to make sure that when you buy it, it’s yours.  Check out the terms – make sure that they will register the domain name in your name, with your contact info, and not hold it hostage with their own company and services unless you pay some sort of release fee.  This is not theoretical = there are some companies that do this.  UltimateWB does not – we register your domain name for you in your name, it’s yours.

Website Builder: Unlike a domain name, this can and is very often connected to your web hosting service.  Examples include BigCommerceGoDaddy Website BuilderGoogle SitesJimdoMoonfruitNingPhotoShelterShopifySquarespaceSocialGoVistaPrint SiteBuilderuCozVolusionYahoo SiteBuilderYahoo Store BuilderWebsWeeblyWild ApricotWixZen Cart, and Zenfolio.  They are what is referred to as “Hosted Website Builders“.  On hosted solutions, If you want to use their website builder, you have to use their web hosting too.  So, it is a good idea to either choose your website builder first, or make sure to pick one that gives you web hosting choice!  Examples include UltimaetWB, as well as ClassiPress, Dreamweaver, Drupal, GeoCore,  Joomla, osClass, osCommerce, phpFox, WordPress, and Zen Cart.  As you notice, it is a shorter list.

Web Hosting: Some web hosting companies offer just web hosting with no website builder (or anything most people would actually call a website builder).  And some offer separate web hosting in addition to the web hosting that is attached to a website builder.  Examples from the list above include GoDaddy web hosting and Yahoo web hosting.  Most likely if they are good, reputable web hosting companies, these can be compatible with the flexible web hosting website builders mentioned above.  But you can’t get the web hosting at Wix or Weebly for example, and use with another website builder – or vice versa.

Besides buying your website builder at UltimateWB, you can also buy your own domain name if you don’t have one yet and web hosting too here.  The domain name to web hosting setup and software installation is even easier because we take care of it for you!

This entry was posted in Domain Names, Web Hosting, Website Builder Software Comparison and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *