A domain name is simply your website’s address or url, like www.highlightcreative.com. If you purchase a url, and visit it, all you’ll see is a parked page from the registrar. In order to build a website, you need a “home” for the files and databases that make up your site. That’s called web hosting.

A company that can register domain names is called a registrar. A company that provides hosting plans is called a web host. Most web hosting companies are also registrars. To own a website, you’ll need both a domain and a hosting plan.

It’s possible to purchase a domain from one company, and hosting from a separate company, or, they can be purchased simultaneously from the same company.

• If you don’t have a domain or hosting:
  Hop over to the post on web hosting to learn more about companies I recommend. You can purchase a plan from one of these companies that includes a domain and hosting.
• If you already have a domain, but not hosting:
  Read the post on web hosting to learn more about companies I recommend. When you sign up for an account, you’ll just purchase hosting, not a domain. Then, send me your domain registrar’s login name and password. I’ll connect the two accounts.
• If you already have a domain AND hosting:
  You’re all set, then, aren’t you? :)I’ll need to double-check your hosting plan to make sure it’s compatible with WordPress. Send me your hosting company’s website, and your account login and password, and I’ll let you know if anything needs to be done.