Web hosting guide

How to buy web hosting and a domain, step by step

Updated on ยท 8 questions answered

Buy web hosting in six steps: pick the hosting type, pick the plan, pick the period, add your domain name, apply a coupon code, and read the cart total before you pay. The whole order takes a few minutes.

A deal that passed our last check:

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How do I buy web hosting step by step?

  1. Pick the hosting type your website needs.
  2. Pick the smallest plan that covers your number of websites and your storage.
  3. Pick the period: 12 months or longer for the lowest monthly price.
  4. Add a domain name, or enter one you already own.
  5. Apply a coupon code in the cart.
  6. Read the total today and the renewal price, then pay.

What do I need before I buy web hosting?

You need three things: an email address, a way to pay and a name for the website.

You can look up whether a domain name is already registered with the ICANN lookup tool.

Should I buy the domain and the hosting together?

Yes, when the plan includes the domain at no charge. In our test the Hostinger cart added a domain at no charge for the first 12 months on periods of 12 months or longer. The 1-month period had no free domain. After the first year the domain renews at its regular price. The guide on a free domain with hosting lists what to check.

A domain you already own does not have to move. You keep it where it is and point it to the new hosting.

Which period should I buy?

Buy the longest period you are sure to use. The hosting company bills the whole period on the first day, and the monthly price is lower on longer periods. The comparison of monthly vs yearly hosting shows the difference on plans we tested.

How do I use a coupon code when I buy?

Enter the code in the cart, before the payment step. These are the steps we used at the Hostinger cart:

  1. Open the Hostinger website, pick a plan and select "Choose plan". The cart opens.
  2. Set "Period" to 12, 24 or 48 months.
  3. Under "Order summary", select "Have a coupon code?".
  4. Type FAISAL and select "Apply".
  5. Check the order summary. It shows a line "FAISAL -20%" and a lower total.

The Hostinger coupon code page lists the plans and periods the code worked on.

What should I check in the cart before I pay?

The Hostinger cart offered these extras next to the plan when we read it: Hostinger Ecommerce, Hostinger Reach email marketing, Daily auto-backup. The guide on hidden hosting costs explains which extras a new website needs.

What happens after I pay?

The hosting company creates your account and sends a receipt to your email address. You then log in to the control panel, connect the domain and install the website software. A domain bought with the plan is connected for you. A domain you own elsewhere needs its nameservers changed at the company where you registered it.

Can I get my money back if I change my mind?

Yes, within the refund period. Hostinger refunds a hosting plan within 30 days of purchase. The free domain that comes with a plan is not refunded. The page on the hosting money back guarantee lists what a refund covers.

Which other Hostinger deals passed our last check?

These plans passed the same check, each at the period with the biggest discount.