Learn what is the difference between web hosting and website builder!
If you are thinking of creating a website for your business, you’ve probably encountered the debate of web hosting vs. website builder and you might have also researched about the best solutions to put your business on the Internet.
But do you know the difference between web hosting and website builder? And what is right for your business? In this insightful blog below, we’ll explain the hosting vs. builder difference to help you decide your ideal fit.
– Website Hosting (Web Hosting Explained)
Staying in a hotel room means you pay to occupy space or a room for a period of time, right? Well, to work, online content – such as blogs, websites, and online stores – must be stored within a large computer called server. Hiring a hosting service for a website means renting a space within a server—this is where web hosting is explained—to store all the information of your website.
The hosting works as an online folder, which contains all the information of your website, including administrative data to which only you have access, and as an extremely versatile platform that you can use to start building your site. For this, you can install several platforms via cPanel, such as WordPress, which is one of the most popular tools for creating blogs and websites. Similarly, there’s Magento, which specializes in eCommerce.
If you have no experience in creating websites or a professional technology to create the design for you, you can find it a little difficult to do this in the beginning. In this case, it is better to opt for the option below.
– AI Website Builder (Website Builder Explained)
AI site builder tools demonstrate the web hosting vs. website builder very clearly and they’re ideal for anyone who needs a quick, no-IT approach to design their site. With simple and intuitive systems, you can even create pages, add text, photos, maps and videos using ready and editable templates.
To go live, the site created through a Website Builder vs Hosting setup must also be hosted on a server. But in these cases, you usually don’t need to worry, because the hosting is already included in the package.
They are designed to be simple—see Hosting vs Builder comparison to understand trade-offs. To build and manage the sites made with site builders, you may not have all the flexibility and other features that a site created from scratch has.
Ideal Web Hosting vs. Website Builder Use Cases
In the case you are confused about choosing web hosting or website builder, it is important to analyze which solution fits best, considering your business objectives, level of technical prowess, and need for scaling. Here is a straightforward decision guide:
- Pick web hosting if you want greater control, advanced options, comprehensive scaling, or future collaboration with developers.
- A website builder is recommended for small business proprietors or entrepreneurs who want to go online quickly, with no sophisticated technical skills needed.
- If you want both (web hosting + website builder): visual editing freedom and backend control, consider hybrid options such as Elementor, designed for WordPress.
Your emphasis on either getting to market quickly or planning further down the line for customized development determines your focus of use.
Web Hosting vs Website Builder: Quick Comparison Table
| Aspect | Web Hosting | Website Builder |
| Cost Over Time | Cheaper initially, more addons later | All-in-one, but can get pricey long-term |
| Performance & SEO | Faster, better SEO control | Limited control, slower on shared servers |
| Scalability | Highly scalable | Limited, not ideal for large growth |
| Security | Manual setup (SSL, backups) | Built-in basic security |
| Customization | Full control, custom code, plugins | Limited to templates and built-in tools |
| Support & Maintenance | Self-managed or with host support | Fully managed, easy for beginners |
This makes a big difference in hosting and website builder is that in addition to the first being a platform and the second a tool, the hosting behaves as a blank canvas, a platform where you can create a website in the way you want, provided you have some knowledge or a professional to develop your project. Meanwhile, the site builder is a tool designed for those who want something simple and fast, in which creation can be much more limited.
Before you choose between web hosting and a website builder, clearly define your website’s goals. Also, consider if you have someone with development skills on your team. Finally, be sure to consult with our experts to explore all your available options!
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FAQs
1. Do I need both a website builder and web hosting for my site?
No, you do not need both. Most website builders come with hosting solutions, like MilesWeb, providing an all-in-one publishing solution. If you want more control over your site and prefer using CMSs like WordPress, then you will need separate web hosting.
2. What control do I have over my website with each option?
With web hosting, you have full control of the website, including your site’s files, server settings, custom code, plugins, and more. With website builders, you have limited control and a simplified interface for ease of use with drag-and-drop features.
3. What option is best for someone with no coding experience?
People who are new to website creation, for them the best thing is to use the website builders. They are straightforward and user-friendly and do not require coding with templates that allow even novices to publish a site without hassle.
4. How does the cost compare between web hosting and website builders?
As a result of the inclusivity, website builders come with higher price tags than web hosting, which seems cheaper at first glance. In the long run, bundled hosting, along with templates and support provided with web hosting, can be more expensive in the long run due to needing a domain, SSL, and maintenance tools.
