As a web host we often encounter entrepreneurs on their way to building businesses online. Since the web is quite a broad topic, it’s useful to new persons to web hosting to understand the difference between domain name registration, website hosting, and website design.
Domain registration, website hosting, and website design are three distinct components that play crucial roles in establishing and maintaining a website on the internet. Here’s a breakdown of each, along with examples and costs.
1. Domain Registration
Domain registration is the process of acquiring a unique name on the internet that allows people to access your website. This name is known as a domain name (e.g., www.example.co.za). It’s akin to registering a business name such as a CC in the physical world; however, in the digital realm, it ensures that no one else can use the same web address.
- Example: Registering a domain like “mybusiness.co.za” for your company.
- Cost: R 99 per annum. This fee is paid annually to keep the ownership of the domain name. Prices can vary based on the domain extension (.co.za, .com, .org, etc.), but the provided example costs R 99 per year.
2. Website & Email Hosting
Website & email hosting is a service that allows your website and email to be accessible on the internet 24/7. Although it’s colloquially referred to as “web hosting”, it’s actually web and email hosting and automatically includes both services. It involves renting space on a server where your website’s files are stored. Hosting companies such as Vander Host maintain these servers, ensuring your site is available to users around the clock. Web & email hosting is typically charges per gigabyte of disk storage.
- Examples:
- Annual Hosting Plan: Pay annually with a month provided free as part of a deal for annual payment. For example, 5 GB space = R 1089 annually, and 1 GB space = R 759 annually. Bonus, on annual plans your first year’s domain registration is included free of charge.
- Monthly Hosting Plan: The above packages are also available monthly, e.g. 5 GB = R 99 per month, and 1 GB = R 69 per month. Please note we don’t accept EFT for most monthly plans so you’ll need to pay using card or debit order.
3. Website Design
Website design refers to the process of creating the visual layout, appearance, and usability of a website. It involves everything from the color scheme and graphics to the navigation and user interface. The cost of website design can vary greatly depending on the complexity of the site, the design elements required, and whether you hire a professional designer or agency.
- Example: Designing a simple website for a small business might cost significantly less than creating a complex e-commerce platform with custom graphics and functionalities.
- Cost: “How long is a piece of string?” It depends significantly on the specifics of the website. For a basic design, you might pay a few thousand Rand, while more complex sites could cost tens or even hundreds of thousands of Rand.
- How we can help: Vander Host is a hosting company, and we offer two great avenues for building web sites.
- Use our Expert’s portal to have a web specialist set you up: https://vander.host/experts
- Build your own with WordPress, Sitepad, or SiteJet.
- Contact us should once you have decided your budget and time constraints and we can send you in the right direction.
In summary, to set up a website for your business in South Africa, you would need to budget for:
- Domain Registration: R 99 per annum for your unique web address.
- Website Hosting: From R 759 per annum (or R 69 per month if paying monthly) to keep your site accessible online.
- Website Design: Costs can vary widely based on your requirements, from a few thousand to much more for a custom, professionally designed website.
These costs provide a starting point, but it’s essential to understand and consider the specific needs of your website project for more accurate budgeting. Please contact us should you require assistance.
