Top 6 Domain Name Registrars and Hosting Services

Launching a website involves several key elements, including a design, web hosting, and a domain name. The good news is that many services combine both hosting and domain registration, allowing you to set up your site more quickly and cost-effectively.

In this guide, we’ll explore the top domain registrars that also offer web hosting, helping you choose the best one for your needs.

Why Choose a Web Host That Offers Domain Registration?

You could opt to buy your web hosting and domain name from different providers, but managing two separate services can be cumbersome. You’d need to connect the domain to your hosting service and keep track of both subscriptions.

By selecting a provider that offers both services, the process becomes much smoother. Your domain will be automatically linked to your hosting, enabling you to launch your site without delay. Additionally, many of the top domain registrars provide discounts when you bundle your domain registration with hosting services, which can save you money.

Our Top 6 Domain Name Registrars and Hosting Services:

Domain.com – Best for Enhanced Website Security
HostGator – Most Budget-Friendly Hosting with Domain Registration
Network Solutions – Best Tools for Domain Hosting
A2 Hosting – Ideal Website Builder for Beginners
DreamHost – Best for Email Hosting with Your Domain
GoDaddy – Best for Site Building with Domain Hosting

1. Domain.com

Versatile Hosting with Robust Security Features

Best for: Secure web hosting
Starting price: $3.75/month
Money-back guarantee: 30 days
Uptime: 99.99%

Domain.com stands out for its strong security features. All hosting plans include a free SSL certificate and 24/7 technical support. Additionally, Domain.com offers security packages starting at $3.99 per month, which include daily backups, malware scanning, web app firewalls, and protection from DDoS (distributed denial-of-service) attacks.

Their shared hosting plans come with a free domain for the first year, along with unlimited storage and bandwidth. Domain.com also offers a wide selection of top-level domains, with .com domains starting at $9.99 per year.

Domain.com’s website builder is easy to use and can help you create an online store. Site builder plans start at just $1.99 per month.

Pros:

Strong security packages available
Free domain for the first year with hosting
User-friendly website builder

Cons:

Malware scans and backups are an additional cost
Site builder offers limited flexibility

2. HostGator

Affordable and Reliable Hosting at Unbeatable Prices

Best for: Budget-friendly hosting
Starting price: $2.75/month
Money-back guarantee: 45 days
Uptime: 99.9%

HostGator provides some of the most affordable hosting and domain registration options available. Shared hosting plans begin at just $2.75 per month for up to three years (renewing at $11.95/month), and they include a free domain for the first year. All plans come with 24/7 support, a free SSL certificate, and unlimited bandwidth.

Their website builder plans start at $3.84 per month (renewing at $9.98/month). While HostGator’s builder isn’t as feature-rich as others, it’s easy to use and lets you create a functional website in under 30 minutes. HostGator also offers a wide range of domain options, including .com, .org, .tech, and .co.

Pros:

Free domain for the first year
Budget-friendly hosting plans
Easy-to-use website builder

Cons:

Limited customization options with the website builder
Domain registration isn’t the cheapest option

3. Network Solutions

Comprehensive Web Hosting with Advanced Domain Management

Best for: Managing multiple domain names
Starting price: $5.69/month
Money-back guarantee: 30 days
Uptime: 99.9%

Network Solutions excels as a hosting provider for those who need to register and manage multiple domain names. It offers over 150 top-level domain options, helping your website stand out. For example, businesses can opt for unique extensions like .eat for restaurants or .hair for salons.

One standout feature is their domain expiration protection, available for $9.99. This service ensures your domain remains active for up to a year after your auto-renewal expires, so you don’t risk losing your domain due to a missed payment.

Network Solutions offers shared and managed WordPress hosting plans starting at $5.69 per month, but it does not offer VPS or dedicated hosting plans.

Pros:

More than 150 top-level domain options
Domain expiration protection
Shared hosting includes email hosting

Cons:

No VPS or dedicated server hosting
SSL certificate is not included

4. A2 Hosting

Simple and Affordable Drag-and-Drop Website Builder

Best for: Beginners seeking simplicity over advanced features
Starting price: $2.99/month
Money-back guarantee: 30 days
Uptime: 99.9%

A2 Hosting is a great choice for first-time website owners. The platform makes it easy to get started with shared, VPS, or WordPress hosting plans, with prices beginning at just $2.99 per month.

In addition to hosting, A2 Hosting provides its own drag-and-drop website builder featuring a variety of themes. While it’s not as feature-packed as other website builders, its ease of use allows even those without design experience to create a website in as little as 30 minutes.

A2 Hosting also offers a range of top-level domains, with .com domains priced at $16.99 per year, which includes privacy protection.

Pros:

Intuitive website builder
Shared, VPS, and managed WordPress hosting options
Domains come with privacy protection

Cons:

Website builder offers limited customization
Domain is not included with hosting purchase

5. DreamHost

Flexible Hosting for Websites, Email, and More

Best for: Email hosting with your domain
Starting price: $2.95/month
Money-back guarantee: 97 days
Uptime: 100%

DreamHost is a robust hosting provider and domain registrar with a wide range of features. Their shared hosting plans start at just $2.95 per month, which includes a free domain, SSL certificate, WordPress website builder, and 24/7 support. DreamHost also offers managed WordPress hosting for those looking for a hassle-free experience.

DreamHost’s domain registrar provides over 400 top-level domains, with a .com domain starting at $5.99 for the first year (renewing at $17.99/year).

While email hosting at your domain isn’t included with hosting, it’s available for just $1.67 per month per mailbox and comes with a generous 25GB of storage.

Pros:

97-day money-back guarantee
Access to over 400 top-level domains
25GB email inboxes

Cons:

Email hosting isn’t included with hosting
Website builder is only available for WordPress sites

6. GoDaddy

A Powerful Hosting Provider with an Intuitive Site Builder

Best for: Launching a new website
Starting price: $5.99/month
Money-back guarantee: 30 days
Uptime: 99.9%

GoDaddy offers versatile and scalable hosting plans suitable for various website types. Whether you want to host 1 or 50 websites, you get unlimited bandwidth and solid-state storage with all plans. Features include 24/7 customer support, daily backups, a free SSL certificate, and access to cPanel.

What makes GoDaddy stand out is its user-friendly drag-and-drop site builder. It’s designed for ease of use and includes free templates to help you get started quickly. Additionally, GoDaddy’s builder supports e-commerce features and appointment booking, making it ideal for small businesses.

GoDaddy’s domain registration service offers new .com domains at just $0.01 per year when purchased for two years (renewing at $19.99/year). All domains come with free privacy protection and up to 100 subdomains for your website.

Pros:

Scalable hosting options
Website builder with appointment booking features
Affordable introductory pricing for domains

Cons:

No discount when bundling domain and hosting
Website builder plans come at an extra cost

What’s the Difference Between Domain Registrars and Web Hosts?

A domain registrar is a service that sells domain names, like ‘yourwebsite.com.’ Registrars typically offer a variety of top-level domains (TLDs), such as .com, .org, .net, .xyz, and many others. As long as a domain name is available, you can usually purchase it from any registrar.

A web host is a company that owns the servers where websites are stored and run. Web hosts maintain these servers to ensure your website is accessible to visitors.

Since websites need both a domain name and hosting, many companies provide both services, acting as both registrars and web hosts.

Do You Need Both a Web Host and a Domain Name?

Yes, every website needs both web hosting and a domain name. Hosting is required to get your site online and accessible to visitors, while a domain name is essential for visitors to easily find your site without remembering a complex IP address.Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a Domain Registrar

When selecting a domain registrar, there are several important factors to consider:

1. Domain Transfers: Flexibility to Switch Registrars

If needed, you can transfer your domain to another registrar. Transfers are often free if you also sign up for hosting, but they may incur a fee otherwise. It’s worth researching whether transferring a domain can result in a lower renewal price at a different registrar.

2. Checkout Process: Ease of Registration

Most domain registrars make the purchasing process simple, but you’ll need to provide some basic contact details as required by ICANN (the organization responsible for managing domain names). Payments are typically accepted via credit cards.

3. Budget and Renewal Rates: Cost Considerations

Domain pricing can vary significantly between registrars, so it’s important to compare prices. Watch out for initial offers that may be lower than the regular renewal rates. Check the renewal pricing to ensure it aligns with your budget.

4. Domain Management Features: Tools for Domain Control

After purchasing your domain, you’ll need to connect it to your website. Many registrars provide easy tools for this, offering a simple DNS address to copy into your hosting provider’s control panel. For those managing multiple domains, it’s useful to check how the registrar handles domain switching and subdomain management. Auto-renewal options can also help prevent losing a domain due to missed payments.

5. Ownership Duration: Long-Term or Short-Term Domain Use

Some registrars let you purchase a domain for one year at a time, while others allow for longer terms, such as five or ten years. If you plan on owning your domain for a long time, you may receive a discount for longer-term purchases. Many registrars also offer auto-renewal for convenience.

How Much Does Domain Registration Cost?

The cost of domain registration depends on factors such as the domain name itself and the TLD extension. For example, a .com domain typically costs between $12 and $20 per year, while a .xyz domain may cost around $5 to $10 annually.

Many domain registrars offer introductory deals that significantly reduce the price for the first year, with some even offering .com domains for under $1. Additionally, many web hosting plans include a free domain for the first year as part of the package. However, it’s important to check the renewal price for your domain after the first year.

What to Do After Purchasing a Domain Name

Once you’ve secured your domain, the next step is connecting it to your website. If you bought both the hosting and domain from the same provider, this process will usually be straightforward, with automatic connection options available in your account settings.

If your domain was purchased from a different registrar than your hosting provider, you’ll need to manually configure the Domain Name System (DNS) settings. You’ll need to obtain the DNS address from your registrar and input it into the DNS section of your web host’s control panel. After confirming the change, it may take a few hours for the domain to propagate and point to your site.