If you’ve ever tried to “just set up a website” and suddenly found yourself staring at words like domain registrar, DNS, hosting, WordPress, Wix, SSL, and nameservers… you’re not alone.
I’ve been helping business owners for over two decades, and I can tell you this with confidence: most of the overwhelm isn’t because you can’t understand it, it’s because no one explained it in plain English.
So let’s fix that.
By the end of this article, you’ll know the difference between a domain, a website platform, and hosting (and how they work together), plus a few key website terms that will help you feel calm and in control.
The simplest way to think about your website
Here’s the easiest analogy I use with clients:
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Your domain is your address (like
YourBusiness.com). -
Your hosting is the land/building space where your website “lives.”
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Your website platform is the builder and layout system you use to create what people see.
If you only remember one thing, remember this:
Domain = where people find you. Hosting = where your site sits. Platform = how your site is built and managed.
Now let’s break it down.
Domains: what they are and why they matter
A domain is the web address someone types into a browser to find you (like dawnreneel.com or marketingpartnershipprogram.com).
Domain registrar vs domain ownership
You don’t technically “own” a domain in the forever-and-ever sense; you lease it for a period of time (usually 1–10 years) through a domain registrar (like GoDaddy, Namecheap, Google Domains, now part of Squarespace, Cloudflare, etc.).
You’ll pay a yearly fee to keep it active. If you don’t renew, it can eventually expire and become available for someone else to buy.
Personal anecdote: I once worked with a business owner who assumed their domain was “included” with a platform and didn’t realize it needed renewal. Their website and email went down for days. It wasn’t because they weren’t smart, it’s because no one told them domains are a separate thing. Ever since then, I tell every newbie: put your domain on auto-renew and make sure the renewal email goes to an inbox you actually check.
Domain extensions (TLDs)
That ending like .com, .org, .net, .co is called a TLD (top-level domain). Most businesses still do best with .com if it’s available, simply because it’s familiar and trusted.
DNS (this is the “direction system”)
DNS stands for Domain Name System. You don’t need to be technical here, just know this:
DNS is what tells your domain where to go.
It’s the set of rules that points YourBusiness.com to your website hosting and can also route email.
If your domain is the address, DNS is the GPS directions.
Hosting: where your website actually lives
Web hosting is a service that stores your website files (images, pages, code, database) on a server so people can access it online.
The most common hosting types (in human words)
Here’s the quick rundown:
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Shared hosting: Cheapest option; your site shares space with many other sites. Fine for many beginners.
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Managed WordPress hosting: Hosting designed specifically for WordPress, usually faster and more secure, with helpful support. Great for business owners who want “less tech.”
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VPS / Cloud hosting: More power and flexibility, usually for bigger sites, e-commerce, or high traffic.
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Dedicated hosting: You get an entire server. Most small businesses don’t need this.
What hosting impacts (and why you should care)
Your host affects:
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Site speed (which affects user experience and Google rankings)
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Security
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Uptime (how often your site stays online)
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Backups and recovery when something breaks
If your website is part of your income, then hosting isn’t just “tech stuff.”
It’s business infrastructure.
Website platforms: the system you use to build and manage your site
A website platform is the tool you use to create and manage your website content.
H3: The three most common platform categories
1) Website builders (all-in-one)
Examples: Wix, Squarespace, Shopify (for ecommerce)
These usually include:
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Hosting (bundled)
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Templates
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Drag-and-drop editing
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Built-in support
Best for: beginners who want convenience and don’t plan to customize heavily.
Tradeoff: less flexibility and sometimes harder to move later.
2) CMS platforms (like WordPress)
WordPress.org is the big one here.
With a CMS, you usually choose:
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Your own hosting provider
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A theme (design template)
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Plugins (extra features)
Best for: business owners who want flexibility, content marketing, SEO control, and room to grow.
Tradeoff: you (or someone you hire) manage updates, security, and maintenance.
3) E-commerce platforms
Shopify is the most well-known. WooCommerce is a WordPress plugin that turns WordPress into an e-commerce.
Best for: selling products online.
Tradeoff: you’ll make decisions based on your store’s needs (inventory, shipping, payment processing).
The difference between WordPress.com and WordPress.org
This one trips up so many people, so let’s clarify:
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WordPress.org = the free WordPress software you install on your own hosting (most flexible)
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WordPress.com = a hosted service with different plans and limitations (more “builder-like”)
When someone says “WordPress,” they might mean either one, so it’s always worth checking.
Plugins, themes, and the “feature puzzle.”
If you’re on WordPress, you’ll hear these terms constantly.
Themes
A theme controls how your site looks (layout, fonts, colors, structure).
Plugins
A plugin adds functionality (forms, SEO tools, ecommerce, security, backups, scheduling, membership, etc.).
Practical tip: More plugins aren’t always better. Too many can slow your site down or cause conflicts. Choose quality, keep them updated, and remove what you don’t use.
SSL, security, and what “https” means
An SSL certificate encrypts the connection between your site and your visitor. It’s what turns:
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http://intohttps://
Google and modern browsers prefer (and sometimes warn against) non-SSL sites. Many hosts include SSL for free now.
If you’re collecting contact forms, taking payments, or building trust, SSL isn’t optional; it’s foundational.
Email hosting: why your “business email” is separate
Another common surprise: your website hosting and your email hosting are not automatically the same thing.
You might use:
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Google Workspace (Gmail for business)
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Microsoft 365
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Email included with your domain/host (often lower quality, but usable for some)
Personal anecdote: I’ve seen entrepreneurs lose access to their email because it was bundled with a host they stopped paying for. When email is mission-critical, I strongly prefer a dedicated provider like Google Workspace or Microsoft 365. It’s one of those “boring” decisions that saves you massive stress later.
Domain transfer and “moving your website” (not as scary as it sounds)
Eventually, you may want to switch hosts or platforms. Two important concepts:
Transferring a domain
This means moving your domain registration from one registrar to another.
Good to know:
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Most registrars require the domain to be at least 60 days old before transferring.
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You’ll need to unlock the domain and get an authorization code.
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Transfers often extend your registration by 1 year (varies by registrar).
Migrating your website
This means moving your site content/files from one hosting environment to another (or rebuilding on a new platform).
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WordPress-to-WordPress migrations can often be done with tools or managed services.
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Builder platforms (like Wix/Squarespace) may require more manual rebuilding if you’re leaving.
My calm-business-owner reminder: you don’t have to do all of this alone. You just need to understand what’s happening well enough to make good decisions, and hire help confidently when it matters.
A quick newbie glossary (the terms you’ll see everywhere)
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Domain: your website address
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Registrar: Where do you buy/renew your domain
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DNS: settings that point your domain to services (site + email)
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Hosting: where your website files live
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Platform/CMS: a tool to build/manage your site
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Theme: your website design template (WordPress)
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Plugin: add-on feature (WordPress)
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SSL: security certificate (https)
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CDN: content delivery network (helps speed globally)
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Backup: a saved copy of your site in case something breaks
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Uptime: how reliably your site stays online
What I recommend for most brand-new business owners
If you’re building your first “real” website, here’s a simple decision guide:
Choose WordPress if…
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You want flexibility and long-term control
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You plan to blog or build SEO visibility
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You want lots of customization options
Choose Squarespace/Wix if…
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You want fast setup and simplicity
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You don’t want to manage updates/plugins
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Your site is mostly informational (services, portfolio, basic pages)
Choose Shopify if…
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Your main goal is to sell products online
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You need strong e-commerce tools from day one
Your next best step (keep it simple)
If you’re still feeling unsure, here’s a clean starter checklist:
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Buy your domain (and turn on auto-renew).
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Decide on your platform (WordPress vs builder vs Shopify).
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Set up hosting (if using WordPress).
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Connect your domain to your site (DNS settings).
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Add SSL (usually automatic).
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Set up a business email.
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Add backups + security.
And remember: you don’t need to become “a tech person.”
You just need a clear map and a steady next step.
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