Why You Should Keep Your Domain, Email, and Website Hosting Separate (Even if It Sounds Complicated)
Let’s say you’re ready to build your dream website. You hop online, find a platform that says “We’ll give you everything! A domain name, email, a website, and hosting—just click here!”
It sounds easy—and it is, at first. But down the line? That one-stop-shop setup can turn into a tangled mess. And when something changes (and it will), you’re stuck sorting it all out. Or worse—I’m stuck untangling it for you.
Let me break it down in a way that makes sense. Let me explain why keeping things separate is actually the smarter, safer move.
Picture Your Website Like a Home
- Your Domain (URL) is your PO Box – it’s the address people type in to find you online.
- Your Website Platform is your house – WordPress is like a mobile home you can take with you if needed. Squarespace is like a house in a planned community, you have to live within their rules.
- Your Hosting is the land your house sits on—either leased (via bundled platforms) or owned (with independent hosting).
Now here’s where things get tricky… It’s all fine when these things work together. But problems start when you try to change something and realize they’re all tied together
Why Separating Services Makes Life Easier
1. Moving is Easier When Things Aren’t Tied Together
If your domain, hosting, and email are all bundled through the same provider (like GoDaddy, Wix, Squarespace, etc.), it’s like having your PO box, house, and land deed all controlled by the same landlord.
What happens when:
- They raise your prices
- They go out of business?
- They make changes you don’t like?
You’re stuck navigating their rules to move everything. But when your services are separate, moving one part, like changing your web host, doesn’t disrupt everything else.
2. Platforms Change. A Lot.
Companies evolve. They update their policies. They merge, get sold, change pricing, or stop supporting the tools you use.
When each piece is separate, you’re protected from sudden, sweeping changes. You can change one thing—your host, for example—without losing access to everything else.
But What About Email?
This is where it gets a little… sticky.
3. Why Email Is the Hardest to Move
Email is like your mailbox. It stores client messages, receipts, passwords—critical stuff. And if your email is tied to your web host (e.g., Wix or Squarespace), moving it can get messy
Sometimes you lose your email history. Other times, switching means adjusting DNS records (behind-the-scenes technical settings most people don’t know about).
The smart move? Set up your domain email through a dedicated provider, like Google Workspace from the start. It’s more reliable, flexible, and secure.
Real Talk: Why I Recommend Keeping Things Separate
As someone who builds websites for a living, here’s what I see all the time:
- Clients get upsold on domains, email, and web builders they don’t need.
- They lock themselves into platforms that are hard (and expensive) to leave.
- They think they’re saving time or money—only to find out they’re not in control of their own online presence.
But when you own your domain (your PO box), host your website independently (your land), and set up email through a dedicated provider (your sturdy mailbox), you stay in control. You’re free to grow, evolve, and change—without everything crashing down.
So What Should You Do?
If you’re thinking about a new website—or cleaning up your existing one—here’s my best advice:
- Buy your domain through a registrar like Namecheap or GoDaddy.
- Choose your host separately, especially if you’re using WordPress (I can help with that)
- Set up your email through a dedicated provider, not your web builder.
This setup may sound more complicated up front, but I promise—it’s the cleanest, most flexible way to manage your digital life.
You wouldn’t build a house without knowing who owns the land or where your mail goes. Your online presence deserves the same thoughtful planning.
Need help making sense of it all? That’s what I’m here for. I’ll walk you through your options and help you build something that works for you, not just what a platform wants to sell you.