What is a Domain Registrar? Why Do I Pay for That and Hosting?

What_is_a_domain_registrar_blog_cover_20230818_145632_0000

One of the most important benefits of hiring a professional web development company is that you don’t have to worry about the nuts and bolts of your website. I constantly tell my clients, don’t worry about the technology, just do your job and I’ll handle the web!

This is great, but you should have at least a baseline knowledge of things like domain registrars and hosting.

Domain Registrar

You must either own your own name or have your web developer purchase it on your behalf. You never really “purchase” your domain it’s more like renting it. Through “Domain Registrars” you can rent your domain for X number of years and set up auto renews on those rental agreements so you never lose it.

Examples: GoDaddy (recommended), Network Solutions, Name Cheap… this could go on forever.

Pricing: This is a low cost item ranging anywhere from $10-$50/year.

Hosting

Your hosting account (or server) is where the files for your website and database actually live. This is literally a computer somewhere that is optimized to “serve” your website up to the world.

Here are the logistics: you register your domain, point the domains DNS towards your server, then your server tells incoming traffic which files to show for that specific domain. All this happens when someone clicks a link to come to your website!

Hosting is extremely important to your website, it needs to be flexible, reliable, and fast! Many companies like the domain registrar companies above will offer low cost hosting plans that end up crushing your website and it’s possibilities. These companies put thousands of websites on a “shared server” and then let those websites fight for resources. Also, all of these websites have the same IP (backend address), so if you have a bad neighbor on these servers they can get that IP blacklisted. More on blacklisting later, let’s just say it’s bad.

      
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   Adam Ruffin 
 2024-04-02
 
 
   Fantastic service! Donny was very patient with our changes during the process and we would highly recommend his company !
  
 
 
       
   Craig Williams 
 2024-04-02
 
 
   Donny has been hosting and handling our website for years.  I would highly recommend Grover Web Design!
  
 
 
       
   Amanda Bigger 
 2024-04-02
 
 
   As a small business owner it is extremely difficult to find a website builder and designer that is willing to cater to your needs, regardless of your budget. In the four years we have been with Grover Web Design we continue to be impressed with their knowledge, attention to detail, prompt response time, and professionalism.  Thank you Grover Web Design for continuing to provide us at Bigger Glass Company with the best all-around website support!
  
 
 
       
   Teri Todd 
 2023-10-20
 
 
   We have always received compliments on our website design! Donny was understanding of what we needed and created a site that was truly reflective of who we are and what we do!
  
 
 
       
   Beth Bunge 
 2023-10-20
 
 
   GWD is the Best in the industry. They designed our website and listened to our input and gave great ideas and expertise. We get tons of compliments on our website and that has increased business for us! In addition, they manage our website and taught us how to do some changes ourselves. If we ask they immediately update and makes changes as needed. They are responsive and so professional and fun to work with. Highly recommend!
  
 
 
       
   Clare Hungiville 
 2023-10-19
 
 
   I cannot say enough good things about Donny Grover and his team at Grover Web Design !  I contacted Grover Web Design to do a series of web pages for various companies. They are fast, cost efficient and super creative !!  Their customer service followup is simply the BEST.  Never going to another designer again !  Donny, thank you for all you do,  Clare Hungiville.
  
 
 
       
   Tanner Renken 
 2023-10-13
 
 
   I’ve been working with GWD for a few years now and have nothing negative to say. Donny and his team do awesome work! They are quick to respond and help out whenever they can! 10/10 recommend!
  
 
 
       
   Ron Norris 
 2023-06-22
 
 
   We have been fortunate to have Grover Web Design as our website developer for the past 8 years. Their service and support have been exceptional throughout our partnership. What sets them apart is their ability to assist us with any IT related question or project. We highly recommend Grover Web Design for their expertise and dedication to their clients.
  
 
 
       
   Denada Jackson 
 2023-05-10
 
 
   It is always a pleasure to work with Donny and Team. I appreciate their prompt responses and always capturing our client's vision.
  
 
 
       
   Womens Health Action 
 2023-05-08
 
 
   As a small team based in New Zealand, we've used Grover Web Design to help with the running/maintenance of the Global Big Latch On website. We've always found Donny to be easy to communicate with, professional, and responsive (despite our time zone differences). We would recommend GWD to others.
  
 
 
  
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