If you’re planning, launching, or managing a website, you might hear terms like registration, hosting, web design, or even growth-driven design. These are all different services, and understanding what you’re paying for can help you make smarter decisions for your business.
Here’s a breakdown of what each one means — and why it matters:
What it is:
Domain registration is how you secure the name of your website (like yourcompany.com). You’re essentially renting the name for a set period, usually one year at a time.
Why it matters:
Without domain registration, your website has no address. It’s the first step in getting online.
Typical cost:
$10–$50/year
What it is:
Hosting is the service that stores your website’s files and delivers them to visitors. Think of it as the land your website lives on. With regular hosting, you have to manage the setup process and maintenance yourself, which can be difficult for non-technical users.
Managed Hosting is where we handle that process for you, which includes basic website updates, email configuration, SSL certificate issues, some database issues, etc.
Why it matters:
Without hosting, no one can see your website — it just sits in limbo. Managed hosting can be critical for your business to keep your marketing asset (your website), running smoothly.
Typical cost:
$400-$1200/year (or more for advanced hosting plans)
What it is:
Web design is the process of building and designing your website, including the look, feel, and functionality. This can include layout, branding, mobile responsiveness, SEO setup, and often custom features or integrations.
Why it matters:
Good web design builds trust, helps visitors take action, and supports your marketing goals. It’s your digital storefront.
Typical cost:
One-time fee of $2,500–$10,000+ depending on the scope.
To get your website live, the first two items — domain registration and hosting — are non-negotiable. If you’d like seasoned professionals to build your site (like us!), web design becomes the third essential piece. The fourth option, Growth-Driven Design, is ideal for businesses that treat their website as a key part of their marketing strategy — one that needs to scale with their goals and growth.
What it is:
Growth-Driven Design is a newer approach that treats your website as a living asset — continually being improved upon, based on best practices and real user data. Instead of one large upfront design, you start with a launch version and enhance it over time through ongoing iterations.
Why it matters:
Websites shouldn’t be static. GDD helps your site adapt to customer behavior, increase conversions, and align with your evolving business goals.
Typical cost:
Monthly retainer (usually $500–$5,000/month), depending on scope and services included (design updates, strategy, analytics, A/B testing, etc.)
We hope this helped clear up the differences between registration, hosting, web design, and growth-driven design. If you’re planning a new website or looking to upgrade what you have, understanding these pieces is the first step.
👉 Want to see exactly what’s included in our packages?
Check out our Web Design Pricing page to explore options, features, and transparent pricing.
