Do You Need a Domain to Start a Website?

Technically, you can build a website without a domain — but it’s not ideal. Most hosting providers give you a temporary subdomain, something like yourname.hostingcompany.com, just so you can get started.

While this works for early development, it doesn’t look professional. A custom domain name like yourname.com builds trust and makes it easier for people to find and remember you.

Domains also help with SEO. Search engines take them into account when ranking your site. Plus, branded domains are easier to promote on social media, email, and even offline marketing.

Most domain names are cheap to register — around $10 to $20 per year. Some hosting companies even throw in a free domain when you buy a yearly plan.

Want help finding a good domain and making sure it works with your host? hostizm offers beginner-friendly tools to register and connect your domain in just a few clicks.