What’s the Difference Between a Domain, Hosting, and a Website?
It all begins with an idea.
If you’ve ever thought, “I bought my domain, so why isn’t my website live?”, you’re not alone. These words get tossed around like everyone should just know what they mean. But most small business owners aren’t in the tech weeds, and honestly? You shouldn’t have to be.
Let’s break it down with a simple metaphor I use all the time: building a house.
🏠 The Domain = Your Address
Your domain is your web address. It’s what people type in to find you online.
Example:
www.pixelandfern.comThink of it like your street address. It points people to where you live on the internet.
You buy this once a year (usually around $10–$20).
However, remember that buying a domain doesn’t automatically give you a house. It’s just the address.
🌳 Hosting = The Land
Hosting is where your website lives.
If your domain is the street address, hosting is the plot of land where your house sits.
Without land, your address doesn’t go anywhere. It’s just floating around.
Hosting usually costs $10–$20/month, depending on the provider.
Good hosting is safe, reliable, and gives your site space to grow.
🛋 The Website = The House
Your website is the actual house you build on that land. It’s the walls, rooms, paint colors, and furniture.
This is what people see when they “visit” your address.
Built with tools like Squarespace, WordPress, or Wix (your construction crew + interior designer in one).
You fill it with your words, images, and personality so it feels like you.
🔑 Why This Matters
A lot of frustration happens because people buy one piece (usually the domain) and expect the whole house to appear. But you need all three working together:
Domain = Address
Hosting = Land
Website = House
Once you see it this way, it feels a lot less mysterious.
5 Things Every Website Needs Before You Launch
It all begins with an idea.
Launching a website feels like a big deal, and it is!
But the good news? You don’t need it to be perfect before you hit publish. You do need a few non-negotiables in place, though. These five basics will make your site feel professional, trustworthy, and ready for visitors.
1. 🔒 SSL Lock (That Little Padlock in the Browser)
When you type in a website and see “https://” with a lock icon, that’s SSL. It keeps your site secure and gives visitors a sense of peace of mind.
Why it matters: Without SSL, browsers may warn people that your site is “not secure.” Instant trust-killer.
How to do it: Most hosting platforms (Squarespace, Wix, WordPress) include it automatically. All you have to do is double-check it’s turned on.
2. 📱 Mobile-Friendly Design
More than half of all web traffic comes from phones. If your site doesn’t adjust to smaller screens, people give up on looking at your site, and they do it fast.
Why it matters: Your gorgeous homepage on desktop might be a hot mess on a phone if you don’t test it.
How to do it: Preview your site on mobile before launch. Most platforms let you toggle views.
3. 🎯 Clear Call-to-Action
What’s the one thing you want people to do when they land on your site?
Book a call? Buy a product? Sign up for your email list?
Put that action front and center. Don’t make visitors hunt for it.
Bonus: use action-oriented buttons (e.g., “Let’s Chat,” “Book Now,” “Get Started”) instead of vague ones like “Learn More.”
4. 👋 An About Page That Actually Feels Human
People want to know who’s behind the brand. Your About page is where you show your face, share your story, and make a connection.
Why it matters: A well-written About page builds trust faster than any design trick.
Pro tip: Write like you’re introducing yourself at a coffee shop, not like you’re drafting a résumé.
5. ✉️ Contact Form (or At Least Easy Contact Info)
Make it easy for people to reach you without having to dig around.
A simple contact form works great, but even a clear email address or booking link does the trick.
Don’t bury it! Put it in your navigation menu or footer so it’s always one click away.
Squarespace vs. WordPress: Which One Is Right for You If You’re Not Techie?
It all begins with an idea.
One of the first questions people encounter when deciding to DIY a website is: “Should I use Squarespace or WordPress?”
Both are popular. Both can create a beautiful site. But they feel very different once you’re inside. If you’re not a tech person (and don’t want to be), here’s the plain-English breakdown.
Squarespace: The All-In-One Package
Think of Squarespace like moving into a furnished apartment.
What you get: Hosting, templates, drag-and-drop design tools, and built-in features (like SSL and mobile responsiveness).
Why people love it: It’s clean, simple, and takes care of the tech behind the scenes.
Best for: Small business owners, creatives, and service providers who just want something that works without 100 extra settings.
What to watch out for: Less customizable. If you want to code or add lots of unique features, you’ll hit walls.
WordPress: The Blank Canvas
WordPress (the .org version, not .com) is like buying land and building your dream house from scratch.
What you get: A powerful, flexible platform that can handle almost anything—from simple blogs to massive e-commerce shops.
Why people love it: Unlimited customization, thousands of plugins, and full control.
Best for: People who want total freedom—or who can hire a developer to build and maintain it.
What to watch out for: Steeper learning curve. You’ll need separate hosting, plugin updates, and occasional troubleshooting.
How to Decide
Do you want to drag and drop → Squarespace.
Do you want every customization possible → WordPress.
Do you break out in hives when you see the word “plugin” → Squarespace.
Do you want your site to scale into something huge over time → WordPress.
My Take
If you’re not techie and need a professional, easy-to-manage website, Squarespace is the friendliest place to start. If you know you’ll eventually want custom features—or you don’t mind getting under the hood—WordPress gives you more control.
There’s no wrong choice, just the right fit for where you are now.
Still Unsure?
If this decision feels like a coin toss, you don’t have to figure it out alone. I help small business owners cut through the overwhelm and get to the simplest solution for them.
3 Quick Website Fixes That Make You Look More Professional Instantly
It all begins with an idea.
Sometimes your website just needs a few small tweaks that make a big difference. If your site feels a little “DIY,” here are three quick fixes you can make today that instantly level it up.
1. Simplify Your Fonts & Colors
It’s easy to get carried away with fun fonts and color palettes, but too many at once can make your site look messy.
Stick to two fonts (one for headings, one for body text).
Keep your colors to three max (a main brand color, an accent, and a neutral).
Pro tip: Use bold text or size to create hierarchy instead of adding another font.
Result: clean, cohesive, and easier for visitors to trust.
2. Add a Favicon
A favicon is that tiny icon that shows up in your browser tab next to your site name.
Without one, most browsers just show a generic globe or blank icon.
With one, your site looks polished and branded—even in a tiny space.
Most platforms let you upload a simple square logo (usually in settings → site identity).
Result: a subtle but powerful signal that says, “This is a real business.”
3. Fix Your Buttons
Buttons guide your visitors toward action. If yours say things like “Click Here” or “Submit,” it’s time to upgrade.
Swap in action-oriented text:
“Book a Call”
“Let’s Chat”
“Get the Guide”
Make sure buttons are big enough to tap on mobile and use your brand color to stand out.
Result: more clicks, more clarity, more conversions.
If you don’t feel like doing this but want someone to help, contact me today!