Introduction
In today’s digital world, having a website has become vital for businesses, entrepreneurs, and even individuals who want to create some sort of presence on the internet. Whether you want to create a simple blog, an eCommerce store site, or a portfolio, there are two words that you will hear right from the very beginning: web hosting and website builders.
Though these two are crucial for creating and publishing a website, they are used for different purposes. Knowing how both differ will be very important for making the right choice in developing your website and its success. In this guide, we look at what web hosting is, what website builders are, and how they differ, and help you decide which option best suits your needs.
Whether you are a budding developer or an experienced one, this article will no doubt shed light on what you really need to put up and maintain a successful website.
What is Web Hosting?
Web hosting is a service that allows users, individuals, or organizations to publish a website on the Internet. A web hosting company provides the server and resources required for your website’s files and data to be kept and accessed by people visiting the site. If there wasn’t any web hosting, then your website would not have appeared online.
How Web Hosting Works:
When you are creating a website, all the text, images, and other files actually need to be hosted somewhere. Web hosting companies like Bluehost, HostGator, or SiteGround sell space on their physical or cloud servers for hosting these files. When a user types your website URL in a browser, it connects to the server that hosts your website and shows your website.
Types of Web Hosting:
Shared Hosting:
This is cheaper because many websites will be sharing the server resources. It is perfect for those small websites out there that have minimal traffic.
VPS Hosting: Abbreviation for Virtual Private ServerIn VPS, you are allocated more resources than in shared hosting due to a portion of the server assigned to your website to improve its performance and security.
Dedicated Hosting:
With a dedicated server, you are in full control over it and the resources available. Therefore, it is ideal for big high-traffic websites that require strict security and performance.
Cloud Hosting:
In cloud hosting, the website uses many servers to make sure that it’s available and reliable. Being scalable, it is also good for fast-growing websites.
Some of the advantages of Web Hosting are as follows:
Full Control and Flexibility: You can choose your platform, for example, WordPress, or Joomla, and customize the features of your website.
Scalability: Without much hustle, scale up your hosting plan as your website grows. Variety of Options: Hosting plans differ for small and large personal blogs to enterprise sites. CONS OF WEB HOSTING Technical Knowledge Required: Setting up and managing web hosting can be quite complicated, mainly for beginners. Maintenance: You have to update the software, secure the site, and do backups yourself. Costs: Higher-tier hosting plans can get a bit pricey, let alone when extras such as security features start piling up in droves.
What is a Website Builder?
The website builder is software that enables one to build a website, with or without any prior experience in coding. Website builders make the process easy with built-in drag-and-drop features and templates with design, to help even a complete novice. Popular examples of website builders include Wix, Squarespace, and Weebly.
How Website Builders Work:
Website builders come with everything you may want or need to create, design, and publish a website in one place. They usually have pre-designed templates that can be customized through a simple interface, so no coding is required by hand. In most instances, web hosting is available with it, so you do not have to buy a hosting plan separately.
Types of Website Builders:
All-in-One Website Builders:
Combined systems, such as Wix and Squarespace, host your website along with being able to register a domain, including any technical elements that are required to get your site up and running; you just worry about the design and content.
CMS-Based Website Builders:
Content Management Systems, like WordPress.org, often offer plugins, including website builders, to build a website by dragging items into place and dropping them. You would obtain web hosting separately.
Advantages of Website Builders Easy to operate: It is ideal for complete beginners who even need not know coding. Fast Setup: You can design and go on air within hours. All-in-One Solution: Most website builders include hosting, domain registration, and even SSL certificates in their packages. Pre-designed templates: With hundreds of expertly designed templates, you can have an attractive website up fast. Cons of Website Builders
The smaller footprint of customization: with website builders, you can build some great-looking sites, but your customization is usually at the mercy of what the platform will allow. Subscription-based pricing model: many website builders operate on a month or yearly subscription-based model, and within a year or two, it may add up. Performance limitations: there is partial control over server resources that will always lead to slower site performance, especially in the low-tier plans. Main differences between web hosting and website builders’ functionality:
Web hosting refers to storing your website’s files and making them accessible online, while website builders are about the design and creation of your website. In other words, hosting gives you the land, while the website builder equips you with the tools to construct something on that land.
Ease of Use:
Website builders are made to be super intuitive; thus, they will be ideal for those beginners who want to have a working website with no hassle as quickly as possible. On the other hand, web hosting can be way more technical, especially if paired with something like WordPress.
Customization: With web hosting, full customization can be done since you are allowed to select any CMS or make your website from scratch using code. Website builders don’t give you that latitude; the template and feature selections they have available greatly impede your capabilities.
Control: You have a great deal more control over server settings, security configurations, and site performance with web hosting. Website builders do this for you, but you have less control over each of these areas.
Cost Structure: It will also be priced differently depending on how many resources you require. Basic shared hosting can be very affordable, but the premium features will raise the price. Website builders operate on a subscription basis and generally have tiered pricing, in which you get hosting and design tools all for one price.
Do You Need Both Web Hosting and a Website Builder?
That depends on the platform and your goals. Here’s how it works:
By using an integrated website builder, such as Wix or Squarespace, you do not need a separate web hosting service. With these services, hosting is also included, and thus everything becomes managed for you.
You will want to use self-hosted web hosting with a self-hosted CMS platform, such as WordPress, and you may also want to take advantage of a website builder plugin like Elementor to help you with design.
For most small businesses, personal blogs, and portfolios alike, an all-inclusive website builder will be sufficient. However, if advanced functionality, custom integrations, or full control over the website is what you want, then you’re going to have to marry hosting with a more flexible content management system.
Pros and Cons of Web Hosting
Pros:
Full control and flexibility
Scaling for growing websites
Customization with any CMS or custom-built site
Higher-tier plans generally offer better performance
Cons:
Requires technical knowledge
Premium services are more costly. Owner maintenance and management are required in the long term. Pros and Cons of Website Builders Pros: Extremely easy to use even a complete novice can use them. Super fast setup and design. Pre-built templates mean hosting, design, and domain registration all come in one package.
No maintenance is required since the platform assumes responsibility for security and updates. Cons: Difficulty if you want to do something that is unique-you have limited customization and flexibility. Subscription-based pricing becomes costly over time. Performance is mediocre, which may be unsatisfactory for websites with much traffic. Conclusion: Which One is Right for You?
From web hosting to website builders, the final decision would be taken based on individual needs budget, and technical skills.
When to Choose Web Hosting:
You want all the powers of your website with you and also want to customize it deeply.
You are building a large or complex site; for example, an eCommerce site or a forum.
Do you have technical knowledge or would you hire a developer?
When to Choose a Website Builder:
You want it easy and want a solution that is basically for beginners without coding.
You want to get your website up and running as quickly as possible. You’re a small business, blog, or personal site looking to keep things overall simplified on the platform. Eventually, it should correspond with the goals of your site, how much control you want, and the level of technical ease you have. Both web hosting and website builders have their strengths; understanding that difference will help you make a proper decision for your online presence.
What is the main difference between web hosting and a website builder?
Web hosting is a service of storing your website files on a server so that they are accessible over the internet. When you buy web hosting, what you are actually doing is renting space on a server where data related to your website, such as text, images, and other media, are stored. Users will then access your site through its domain name, which points to the server hosting your content. Hosting can be sold in many forms such as shared, VPS, dedicated, and cloud hosting, among others; by traffic requirements, performance, and security.
On the other hand, a website builder is a specific web service that allows users to build their site by using the tools it provides, but with no actual coding. Website builders come with pre-designed templates and drag-and-drop interfaces, making it quite easy for users to customize their sites. Many website builders also include web hosting in their service; thus, users do not have to seek and purchase hosting elsewhere, because in the builder, they will be able to create and publish their site.
Conclusion: Which Is Right for You?
Choose Web Hosting if:
You want full control over your site and require advanced customization.
You need to create an extremely large or complex site for things like eCommerce, forums, or blogs.
You are comfortable with many aspects of technology, or you will outsource to a developer.
Choose a Website Builder if:
You desire an easy, totally beginner-friendly solution with no coding.
You want your website up as soon as possible.
You run a small business, blog, or even a personal site; you just want simplicity.
In the end, it should meet your goals for the website, desired control, and comfort with technology. Both web hosting and website builders have their strong points, so knowing the difference will help in making the right choice for your online presence.
FAQ
Am I supposed to get a separate hosting service if I use a website builder?
Not necessarily. Most website builders already offer hosting within their service, while self-hosted services like WordPress require hosting separately.
Can I migrate from a website builder to web hosting later?
Yes, as it requires migration of your content and probably some redesigns in your site. It is better to have a backup for your data.
Which one is more advisable for beginners: web hosting or website builder?
Generally, a website builder is better for the sake of beginners because it is quite user-friendly and easier to use.
How much do web hosting and website builders cost?
Web hosting has several pricing schemes, but with a website builder, it’s usually subscription-based. The amount will vary greatly based on which features you decide upon.
