Table of contents

What is web hosting?What is a website builder?Key differences between web hosting and website buildersPros and cons of each optionWho should use web hosting?Who should use a website builder?Can you use both together?Hidden costs and long-term considerationsHosting optionsAdditional resources

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What is Web Hosting → Vs Website Builder

Web hosting vs website builder: What’s the difference and which do you need?

A lot of new website owners don’t realize that web hosting and website builders are two different things. One gives you the foundation to launch your site, and the other helps you build it. Let’s break down how each one works and how to decide which you really need.

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What is web hosting?

Web hosting is the service that makes your website accessible on the internet. When you buy web hosting, you’re essentially renting space on a server—a powerful computer that stores your website’s files and delivers them to visitors who type in your domain name.

Hosting providers offer storage space, bandwidth, and server resources so your site loads reliably. They also typically include tools to help you manage your site’s backend—such as a control panel (like cPanel), FTP access, domain email, SSL certificates, and security protections.

Every website needs hosting to be live on the web. Even website builders rely on hosting—they just bundle it into their service so you don’t have to set it up separately.

There are several types of web hosting:

Shared hosting is the most affordable option, where your site shares resources with others on the same server.
VPS (Virtual Private Server) hosting gives you a portion of a server with isolated resources.
Dedicated hosting provides you with an entire physical server for full control and performance.
Cloud hosting uses multiple connected servers for flexibility and uptime.

Web hosting is ideal if you want full control over your website’s design, functionality, and performance—or if you plan to use a CMS like WordPress.

What is a website builder?

A website builder is a platform that helps you create a website through a visual interface, often with drag-and-drop tools, pre-designed templates, and built-in hosting. It’s designed for users with little to no technical knowledge.

Builders take care of everything: you choose a template, add content, customize the layout, and publish—all from the same dashboard. You don’t need to install WordPress, manage a database, or upload files via FTP.

Popular website builders include:

Wix – known for its easy drag-and-drop interface
Squarespace – stylish templates for creatives and small businesses
Weebly – beginner-friendly with ecommerce features
Shopify – built specifically for online stores

These platforms are great for launching a website quickly, but often limit your ability to customize code or move your site elsewhere later on.

Key differences between web hosting and website builders

Web hosting and website builders often get lumped together, but they serve different functions.

Web hosting is the infrastructure—your server space, bandwidth, and backend controls. A website builder is a design tool that often includes hosting as part of the package.

If you use a hosting provider, you’ll usually pair it with a CMS (like WordPress or Joomla) or build your own site manually. If you use a website builder, the hosting is handled for you, but you’re limited to the features that platform allows.

Here’s how they compare:

Pros and cons of each option

Each approach has its advantages, depending on your goals and comfort level.

Web hosting:

Pros:
- Full access to server files, settings, and software
- Works with any CMS or framework (like WordPress, Laravel, or Magento)
- Easier to scale and optimize as your site grows
Cons:
- Requires setup and occasional maintenance
- More technical learning curve for beginners

Website builders

Pros:
- Extremely easy to use—no coding required
- All-in-one solution: templates, hosting, updates, and support
- Perfect for launching a simple website fast
Cons:
- Less customization compared to self-hosted sites
- Limited access to advanced features and third-party tools
- Migrating to another platform can be difficult

Who should use web hosting?

If you want maximum flexibility, long-term scalability, or plan to use WordPress or another CMS, web hosting is the better option. It’s ideal for:

Developers and tech-savvy users
Businesses that want custom features or integrations
Bloggers and content creators looking to scale
Online stores using WooCommerce or Magento
Agencies building multiple client sites

Even if it takes longer to set up, hosting gives you complete control over your site and future.

Who should use a website builder?

Website builders work best for people who want to skip the technical setup and start creating content right away. Choose a builder if you:

Are building your first website
Want a simple brochure site or portfolio
Don’t want to deal with hosting or software updates
Need a fast solution for a personal project, event, or side hustle.

Builders shine when you need convenience more than customization.

Can you use both together?

In some cases, yes—you can use a builder on a self-hosted site or choose a platform that blends both models.

For example:

WordPress.com is a builder with bundled hosting, but you can upgrade to connect your own domain or move to WordPress.org.
Webflow offers visual design tools with the option to export your code for self-hosted use.
You can also install WordPress on a hosting plan and use drag-and-drop builders like Elementor or Beaver Builder.

This hybrid approach gives you ease of use with more control and scalability.

Hidden costs and long-term considerations

Cost is another key difference—and it’s not always obvious upfront.

With hosting, you pay separately for server space, domain registration, email, and sometimes your CMS tools. But you can choose exactly what you need and upgrade only when necessary.

With a website builder, most features are bundled. That’s convenient, but long-term costs can rise quickly—especially if you need ecommerce tools, email marketing, or third-party integrations.

Also keep in mind:

Builder platforms can be hard to leave or migrate from
Hosting gives you the freedom to change themes, plugins, and CMS anytime
Hosting often includes better SEO options and site performance tuning

Next steps for choosing between web hosting and website builders

Both web hosting and website builders help you get online—but they serve different needs. One gives you total control and flexibility, the other gives you speed and simplicity.

If you want to grow your site long-term, web hosting with a CMS like WordPress is the better investment. But if you need a fast, no-fuss solution, a builder might do the trick.

The next step is to choose a hosting solution that fits your needs, and that’s where Liquid Web comes in. We offer the industry’s fastest and most secure VPS and dedicated servers—for Windows or Linux, unmanaged or fully managed.

Click below to explore options or start a chat with one of our hosting experts now.