Beginner’s Guide: What You Need to Have a Website
If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to put a website online, you’re not alone. For many small business owners, the world of domains, hosting, and email feels like a different language. The good news is that it’s simple once you break it down.
To have a website, you need three main things: a domain name, web hosting, and an email service with your domain. On top of that, you’ll usually use a control panel to manage it all. Let’s look at each one.
What is a domain name?
A domain name is the address people type to visit your site. For example, ronahsolutions.com. Think of it like the street address for your business online. Without it, people would never find you.
Domains are registered through companies called registrars. You usually pay yearly, and the cost depends on the extension (.com, .net, .org, etc.). For small businesses, .com is still the most trusted choice.
What is web hosting?
If the domain is your address, hosting is the building where your website lives. It’s where your files, images, and data are stored so people can access them 24/7.
There are different types of hosting. Each one has its advantages and disadvantages:
- Shared hosting: You share a server with many other websites. It’s affordable and usually includes tools like cPanel for free. The downside is performance: if one site on the server gets a lot of traffic, your site may slow down. Good for small sites, but limited for growth.
- VPS hosting: VPS stands for Virtual Private Server. You get your own slice of a server with more control and stability. Faster than shared hosting and better for medium businesses. Costs more, and cPanel here is not free — it’s a paid license if you want to use it.
- Dedicated hosting: The entire server is yours. Maximum performance and control. Perfect for high-traffic websites or custom applications. Very expensive and usually requires more technical knowledge.
- Cloud hosting: Your site runs on a network of servers instead of one machine. Scalable and flexible, good if your traffic grows or spikes. Prices vary based on usage.
What about email with your domain?
Having an email like [email protected] makes you look professional. But not all hosting plans include email accounts, and even when they do, they can come with limitations.
The main issue is reliability. On shared hosting, your email is sent through the same IP address as many other customers. An IP address is like the online “license plate” that identifies your server. If someone else on that server sends spam, the entire IP can get flagged, and your legitimate emails may land in the spam folder instead of the inbox.
With VPS or dedicated hosting, you usually get your own private IP. This means you are not affected by other users’ activity. Your emails are more reliable, but the setup is more technical and often requires extra cost.
This is why many businesses choose to use professional email services like Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, or Brevo. These services give you better deliverability, stronger spam protection, and extra tools like calendars, storage, and automation. The cost is monthly, but the peace of mind is worth it for most businesses.
Control panels: managing your hosting
When you buy hosting, you usually get access to a control panel. This is the dashboard where you manage your site: adding email accounts, uploading files, creating backups, and installing apps.
Some of the most common control panels are:
- cPanel: The most popular. Easy to use, included for free in many shared hosting plans. On VPS or dedicated servers, it requires a paid license. Advantage: very user-friendly, with many tutorials. Disadvantage: extra cost outside shared hosting.
- Plesk: A solid alternative to cPanel, popular on Windows servers but also works on Linux. Advantage: modern interface, good integration with WordPress. Disadvantage: requires a license, not as widely offered on budget hosting.
- DirectAdmin: A lighter option. Advantage: cheaper license, runs fast on limited resources. Disadvantage: fewer features and less user-friendly than cPanel or Plesk.
- Coolify: An open-source panel. Advantage: no license fees, gives developers full control to deploy apps and websites. Disadvantage: not aimed at beginners, requires more technical knowledge to use effectively.
Putting it all together
To launch a website you need a domain name so people can find you, hosting so your site has a home, and an email service so you can communicate under your brand. On top of that, a control panel makes managing all of it easier. Shared hosting may be enough at first, but as your business grows you may need VPS, cloud, or even a dedicated server.
The key is to choose based on your needs and budget. Start small, and upgrade when your business and traffic demand it. Once you have the basics, the next step is building a website that fits your goals. If you want something beyond a starter template, we can help with custom web development designed around your business.
Dive Deeper
- What is a Domain Name?
- What is Web Hosting?
- How to Set Up Email with Your Domain
- What is a Hosting Control Panel?
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Entrepreneur, founder, and relentless explorer of new technologies. Building websites since age 13, I’m passionate about turning ideas into digital reality and always seeking the next innovation.