Hosting – Domain – Design – Support: What’s the Difference and Why It Matters ?!
If you’re starting a website for your business, you’ll quickly come across two terms that sound confusing: hosting and domain. You may even hear people say, “I already have a domain, so why do I need hosting?”
In this post, I’ll explain what each one means in simple language, and why understanding the difference helps you plan — and budget — better for your website.
🌐 What Is a Domain?
Your domain is your website’s name or address on the internet. It’s what people type in their browser to visit your site.
For example:
yourbusiness.co.zamellowd.com
Think of your domain like the street address to your house — it tells people where to find you online.
✅ You pay for your domain once a year, and the cost depends on the extension (e.g. .com, .co.za, .online, etc.).
Prices vary, but .co.za domains are usually affordable — often under R100 per year.
If you need to choose a domain (website) name – check out our Article post on 🖥️ How to choose the perfect website name!
💾 What Is Hosting?
Hosting is the space where your website lives. It stores all your website files — images, text, layout, and everything visitors see.
If your domain is your address, hosting is the house.
✅ Hosting is paid monthly (or sometimes annually).
You pay your hosting provider to “rent” the space on their server where your website sits.
Hosting costs vary depending on:
Website size and speed
Email accounts included
Backup and security features
Expect anything from R50 to R200/month for basic hosting in South Africa.
🎨 What About Website Design?
Website design is the actual building of your site — the layout, visuals, branding, and structure.
This includes:
Designing your homepage
Adding content and images
Making your site mobile-friendly
✅ Design is a once-off cost, unless you’re on a monthly retainer.
Prices vary depending on how custom or complex your site is.
🧰 And What is Support?
Once your website is live, you may still need help now and then:
Changing a phone number
Fixing a form that stopped working
Updating a plugin
Adding a new service or page
This is where support comes in.
✅ Support is usually charged per hour, or as part of a monthly maintenance package.
It ensures your website stays secure, updated, and running smoothly.
💡 Quick Recap (with Examples):
| Service | What It Is | How You Pay | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Domain | Your website name/address | Yearly | yourbiz.co.za |
| Hosting | Space where your website lives | Monthly | Site files & emails stored |
| Design | Building the look and structure of site | Once-off | Homepage, About, Services |
| Support | Help with updates, changes, or fixes | Per hour / package | Updating content, plugin fixes |
Why It Matters for Business Owners
Understanding these terms saves you from:
Paying for things you don’t need
Missing out on things you do need
Confusion when someone says, “That’s not included in hosting.”
Many business owners assume once they buy a domain, everything else comes with it — but each part has its own purpose, cost, and timeline.
Final Tip
Start by registering your domain, then choose your hosting, get help with design, and plan for occasional support. This way, you’re not caught off guard with hidden costs — and you can grow your website over time, stress-free.
