One of the most frequently asked questions I receive from clients who are starting a new business is:
"How much does it cost to keep my website going after it has been designed?"
This is a great question to consider because a few steps go into “hosting” your site, and your choices will affect your budget. Today I’ll break down the top three types of hosting a new business owner needs and give you some recommendations!
Domain Host
This is the company where you purchase your .com URL (also known as a domain). Sites like Godaddy and Squarespace provide a free search engine for you to find available URLs that match your business name. These search engines also offer alternative suggestions if the URL you want is not available. {For example, they may try to see if you would be willing to switch to a .co, .org, .biz, etc. instead of .com in order to keep your desired name.}
If you have your heart set on the domain you want, but it isn't available, sites like Godaddy will investigate (for a fee) to see if the person who owns it would be willing to sell it to you.
The fees for domain name registration can vary but, most hosts offer reasonable pricing for an annual payment or every three years.
Note: The worst case scenario is that your business name has been taken by a direct competitor or that matching URL options are just not obtainable. This is why when you first decide on your business name, I highly recommend searching for domain availability (and even social media handles) before registering your LLC or S-corp with the state. It’s a lot easier and cheaper to change your business name before it’s been legally finalized!
I pay $14.99 every 3 years for domain hosting.
Website Host
This is the platform where you can create, edit, and maintain your website. The domain host mentioned above points directly to this website host with some number codes from each. {Think of it like the outlet in your wall. The outlet is the URL host. The phone charger you plug into it connects the outlet to your phone and charges the battery - your phone is the website host.}
There are many hosting platforms out there now - Squarespace, Wordpress, Adobe Catalyst, Shopify, Wix, etc. - but my favorite one to work in is Squarespace. Their templates are easy to organize and modify to fit your needs. Plus they are mobile-ready, so each time you hit the 'Save' button the mobile version of your site is updated! No extra design required.
Depending on how many pages you need, if you are selling physical products, and other functionality requirements, the pricing varies but can be paid monthly or annually.
Website hosting starts at $129 per year.
Email Host
It's super easy to set up a personal email account with Gmail (yourcompany@gmail.com). However, if you want to look and feel like a legit business, it's best to set up a business email account utilizing your domain name that you have purchased (chris@yourcompany.com). You can do this through the familiar Gmail system, but with their business suite (GSuite). Typically, one business account runs at $5 per month.
Email hosting is about $60 per year.
My Personal Recommendation
What I love about Squarespace is that you can purchase your domain, pay for website hosting, AND connect your GSuite email all through their website. That means less time spent setting all of your hosting up and connecting everything, and fewer times typing in your company credit card on the internet.
However, there are quite a few options for all your hosting needs out there… so make the decision that seems right for you. It doesn’t matter which hosting sites you choose, just make sure to get your website organized the right way from the very beginning.
