Host Smart: Why You Need A Separate Domain Registrar and Web host 

Just like a well-constructed house needs a solid foundation, your online presence thrives when built on strong principles. Your domain name is like a key to your digital castle that makes it easy for people to find your website online. The more control you have over it, the more you can easily make decisions that will impact the growth of your online business. 

In this article, we will highlight some key points why you should keep your domain name separate from your web host. 

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Here’s what they (hosting providers) do not tell you. Having your domain name and web host under the same hosting provider sounds like a breeze, but remember, it limits the control you can have over your online business.

Host Smart: Your Online Presence Deserves A Separate Domain Registrar and Web Host

Here’s why your online presence deserves a separate domain registrar and web host.

1. Enjoy flexibility

So, if your domain hangs out with a different registrar, you’re the boss. It makes it easy for you if you ever need to switch to another hosting provider for your website or blog. When you register your domain and host your website with the same hosting provider, you give them more power over your website, and it may be difficult when you later decide to host your site with another hosting provider. 

Your hosting provider may have no problem, but as your online business grows, its needs also change. As you make decisions for the growth of your online business, one of them may be to migrate your site to a different host and with your domain hosted elsewhere with another domain registrar, migrating your site from your current host to another hosting provider can be more flexible. 

2. Gain more security

 For example, if your host suffers from damage or your site gets hacked by hackers, they can’t have total control over your site. If both your domain and hosting are under a single web host and this happens, you may lose everything. With a separate domain name, you can still restore your site from a backup file or direct your visitors to another location online where they can access the main features of your online business as you work on completely restoring your site. 

3. Avoid increases in hosting prices

Hosting providers can flip pricing plans. They may decide to increase their hosting prices. But with a separate domain, you can avoid this trap and easily migrate your site to a more affordable hosting provider at any moment without facing any challenges with your current hosting provider. This practice also helps you to stay flexible with your online business.

4. Avoid Domain Locking Drama

 Domain registrars often adhere to ICANN ( Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) policies, one of which is putting a 60-day transfer lock period in which newly registered domain names, cannot be transferred. This 60-day domain transfer lock period also applies when a domain renewal occurs, or when a domain is transferred to another domain registrar.  

So, how can this affect your online business? Say you just newly registered your domain and hosted your online business using the same hosting service, and later, you decide you need a different hosting provider for your online business, you will have to wait for 60 days to be able to transfer your online business to another host because your domain and hosting will be locked under one hosting service. 

If you registered your domain separately and you later decide to move your new site to another hosting provider, it becomes easy. Even if your domain is locked with another registrar because you separated it from your website host, you can easily migrate your website to another hosting provider. 

5. More options available for Top-Level Domains (TLDs) 

      A top-level domain refers to the last segment of a domain name. It is the part that follows after the “dot” symbol, like .com, .org and lots more. Most web hosting providers often offer only a handful of Top-level domains. It is true, especially for country-specific TLDs. So what if you want a domain extension that perfectly captures your niche or location like a .uk, .ca, .co.za, .cm, .ng, .ke, .in. Your best option will be to separately buy your domain from a domain registrar that offers your Top-level domain and separately host your site elsewhere. 

Final Thoughts

Your online presence deserves the best foundation, and by keeping your domain name separate, you’re unlocking a world of possibilities for your online business. This practice ensures security, flexibility, and adaptability in a dynamic digital landscape that is ever-changing. Remember that it is not just about setting up a website, but it is about setting it up for success.