Domain and hosting: what they are and who should own them
When you order a website, the developer asks about the domain and hosting, and it sounds purely technical. In fact these two things decide whether the address of your website stays with you. Here is what they are and what to watch for.
What a domain and hosting are
A domain is the address of the website that a person types into the browser, for example your-business.com. Hosting is the place where the website is stored and opened from. The website itself is what the client sees: texts, photos, prices and the request form.
The domain and hosting are paid separately from building the website, and that is normal.
What it costs
A domain usually costs 250–900 UAH a year (5–20 euros) depending on the zone (.ua, .com.ua, .com) and the registrar. You pay for it every year.
Hosting depends on the website. A simple one-page site may be fine with a free option, while a site with orders or many visitors needs a paid plan. It is worth knowing this amount before the work starts, not after the launch.
Who should the domain be registered to
To you. When the domain is bought in the developer's name, it is convenient for them, but if you part ways the address stays with them. And your clients and Google know you by exactly this address.
If the domain is yours, you can change the developer or the hosting and lose nothing.
The three most common traps
The domain was bought in the name of the developer or an acquaintance, and you are not the owner.
You have no access: you do not know where the domain was bought or which email the account is registered to.
The domain was not renewed on time: the address disappears, the site stops opening and somebody else can buy it. Set the renewal on your own card and add a calendar reminder.
What to ask before paying
Who will the domain be registered to?
Who pays for the renewal and how much is it?
Where does the website live and how much is hosting per month?
Will I get all the access details after the launch?
How it works with me
The domain is registered to the client after full payment, and you manage it yourself. I hand over all access details. I name the cost of the domain and hosting in advance, before the work starts.
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