- 2 days ago
- 8 min read
Updated: 11 hours ago
The perfect domain is just a click away: claim your domain →
You do not strictly need to buy a domain name to publish a website, because many website builders provide a free version of a URL to get you started.
When you are ready to put your ideas online and make a website, the technical side of things can feel a bit overwhelming. You have likely heard terms like "IP address," "DNS," and "hosting" thrown around. But the most common question we hear is whether you actually need to open your wallet and buy a unique custom domain name just to get a site live.
The answer is a little nuanced. While you can technically exist online without paying for a custom name (like yourbrand.com), sticking with a free address (like username.wixsite.com/site) sends a very different message to your visitors. It really comes down to what you are building and who you are building it for.
This guide breaks down exactly when you can get away with a free address, when you should definitely upgrade and how to make that switch without a headache.
TL;DR: do you need a domain for a website?
If you are in a rush, this table breaks down the core differences between using a free URL provided by a platform and buying your own custom domain.
Feature | Free subdomain (e.g., user.wixsite.com/site) | Custom domain (e.g., yoursite.com) |
Cost | Free forever | Yearly fee (usually $10-$20/year) |
Professionalism | Low (best for personal projects) | High (standard for businesses) |
Memorable | No (long and complex) | Yes (short and catchy) |
SEO potential | Limited | High (Google prefers custom domains) |
Ownership | You rent space on the platform's domain | You own the address completely |
Email address | Generic (e.g., gmail.com) | Branded (e.g., info@yoursite.com) |
Secure your perfect domain in just a few clicks with Wix. Get everything you need in one place: business email, reliable hosting, SSL protection and full privacy. With 24/7 support and no hidden fees, getting your site live is simple and worry-free.
The difference between a website and a domain
A website is the collection of pages, images and text that you create, while a domain is the specific address people type into their browser to find it.
Think of it like a house and a street address. Your website is the house: it holds all your furniture, your style and your content. The domain name is the address on the mailbox. You can build a beautiful house, but if the address is impossible to find or hard to remember, fewer people are going to stop by.
Technically, every website has an IP address (a string of numbers like 192.158.1.38), but humans are terrible at remembering long random numbers. That is why we use domain names. They act as a user-friendly mask over those numbers.
Discover more:
When you can skip the custom domain
You can skip buying a custom domain if you are just testing an idea, building a school project or creating a site for personal use.
If you aren't trying to sell a product or build a global brand right now, a free URL is perfectly fine. When you build a website on a platform like Wix, you are automatically assigned a web address. A Wix URL allows instant publishing without you needing to enter credit card details or configure complex settings.
Here are a few scenarios where a free domain makes sense:
Personal portfolios: If you are sending a link directly to a hiring manager, they care more about your work than your URL.
Event invitations: For a one-time birthday party or family reunion, a free link to your event website works just fine.
Beta testing: If you are just seeing if anyone is interested in your new blog idea, start free and upgrade later.
Class projects: Students rarely need to purchase digital assets for homework.
In these cases, Wix provides free web hosting alongside that free URL, so your site is live and secure without any extra cost.
Learn more about domain name and website hosting.
Why you probably want a custom domain anyway
You likely want a custom domain because it makes your brand look credible, protects your brand name and helps people find you on Google.
While "need" is a strong word, "should have" is definitely applicable here. If you are running a business or trying to establish yourself as an expert, a custom domain is one of the cheapest investments you can make for your credibility.
Builds immediate trust
Imagine you are looking for a lawyer. Would you trust lawyer-steve.wixsite.com/legal-help or stevelegal.com? The custom domain signals that you are established and professional. Wix offers personalized addresses to help you make this jump from hobbyist to professional.
Helps with SEO
Search engines like Google look at your domain name to understand what your site is about. A clean, keyword-rich domain name (like chicagopizza.com) gives you a slight edge. Plus, as you build authority on that domain, that value stays with you forever.
Makes word-of-mouth easier
Try telling someone your website address in a loud coffee shop:
Option A: "It's my name, then dot wixsite, then slash, then 'consulting'."
Option B: "It's SarahConsulting.com."
Option B wins every time.
Learn more: what to do if domain name is taken.
How to get a domain name for your website
Whether you buy a new domain or connect an existing one, the goal is the same: creating a smooth, reliable connection between your domain name and your website.
Getting a domain name is usually much easier than people expect. In most cases, you have two simple options: either buy a new domain directly through your website platform or connect an existing domain you already own from another registrar. You don’t need coding skills or technical knowledge, as the setup process is mostly guided and can be completed in just a few steps.
For most people, purchasing and managing everything in one place is the easiest route. However, connecting an existing domain works just as well if you already have one you love.
01. Buying a new domain
This is the simplest and most beginner-friendly path. You can purchase a domain directly through Wix inside your dashboard during or after the website setup process. Wix offers a domain name search tool and domain name generator to help make selecting a domain name as simple as possible.
The main advantage is convenience: your website, domain, billing and renewals are all managed in one account. That means fewer logins, fewer renewal reminders to track and less risk of your site going offline because of missed payments or expired settings.
Buying through your website builder also helps streamline setup because the domain connects automatically and you don’t need to configure technical settings manually. Once purchased, your domain is ready to use immediately with your site.
02. Connecting an existing domain
If you already bought a domain from a domain provider, you don’t need to abandon it. You can connect that domain to your new website by updating a few connection settings.
There are two main ways to do this:
Option 1: Name servers (recommended)
This option allows Wix to host your DNS (Domain Name System). In practical terms, that means you manage your domain connection settings directly from your Wix dashboard.
Why this is usually best:
Easier to manage everything in one place
More stable connection in the long term
Simpler troubleshooting if something goes wrong
Faster setup for most users
For most website owners, this is the smoothest and most reliable option.
Learn more about domain transfer.
Option 2: Pointing
Pointing keeps your DNS settings with your original registrar while directing website traffic to Wix.
When this makes sense:
You have existing email hosting you want to keep unchanged
You use advanced DNS configurations with your current provider
You prefer managing DNS externally
While pointing works well in certain situations, it can be slightly more complex to manage since your website and domain settings live in separate accounts.
The cost of upgrading
Buying a domain usually costs money, but connecting it to your site often requires a premium plan on most website builders.
It is important to distinguish between the cost of the name and the cost of the connection.
Domain price
This is paid to the registrar (like a rental fee for the name). It’s usually $10-$20 a year.
Learn more: how to choose a domain registrar.
Hosting/Connection price
Wix Premium plans include custom domains as a feature. On the free plan, you must use the free URL. To connect your own yoursite.com, you upgrade your site plan.
Many annual plans actually come with a voucher for one year of a free domain, so Wix simplifies domain management by bundling the costs for the first year.
Learn more: how much does a domain name cost?
Do you need a domain for a website: making the right call
You need a domain if you want your website to function as a true business asset, but you can still start without one if you’re simply exploring or testing an idea.
Don’t let the decision slow you down. The web is flexible, and you can begin with a free site today, build your content and grow your presence over time. When you’re ready to take the next step, Wix simplifies domain registration for your business, making it easy to move from a trial stage to a professional online presence without complicated setup.
As your site grows, security becomes just as important as branding. That’s why Wix ensures secure domain registration with SSL certification, helping protect visitor data and reinforcing trust with both users and search engines.
And when you decide it’s time to go all in, speed matters. Wix offers quick domain registration, so you can secure your name fast and keep moving forward without unnecessary delays.
If you’re ready to look professional, grab that domain. If you’re still experimenting, enjoy the free version. The most important step is simply hitting “Publish.”
You may also be interested in: how much does an SSL certificate cost?
Do you need a domain for a website FAQ
Can I change my domain name later?
Yes, you can change your domain name later. If you start with a free URL, you can switch to a custom domain at any time. If you already have a custom domain, you can purchase a new one and connect it to the same site, though you should be careful about losing traffic from the old name.
Learn more:
Does a domain name include email?
No, a domain name does not automatically include email hosting. However, once you own a domain (like myshop.com), you can purchase a personalized mailbox (like info@myshop.com) through Google Workspace or similar providers and connect it to your domain.
Learn more: does Wix provide email hosting?
What is a top-level domain(TLD)?
A TLD is the extension at the end of your domain name, such as .com, .org, or .net.
Wix provides a list of TLDs to choose from, so if the .com version of your name is taken, you might be able to find it with .net or .studio.
Is domain privacy protection worth it?
Yes, domain privacy protection is usually worth the small extra cost. When you register a domain, your contact info is added to a public directory called WHOIS.
Privacy protection hides your personal details from spammers and telemarketers. Wix protects private information when you select this add-on during purchase.
Learn more about domain security with Wix.
