Domain and hosting costs, explained.

What a domain and hosting should actually cost per year, and the quiet fees that inflate the bill elsewhere. No asterisks.

Updated 22 July 2026 · 5 minute read

Getting a website online has two core costs: the domain name and the hosting. Both are cheaper than most people expect, as long as you avoid the add-ons and renewal traps that some providers rely on.

How much does a domain name cost per year?

A common extension like .com usually costs somewhere in the low tens of dollars a year. With us, a .com starts at $12/yr. Other extensions vary: a .io or a trendy niche extension can cost more, while some are cheaper. The important number is not the first-year price, it is the renewal price, because that is what you pay every year after.

Cost	Typical range	With NameMarshal
.com domain	Low tens per year	From $12/yr, flat
WHOIS privacy	Often a paid add-on	Free
SSL certificate	Often a paid add-on	Free on hosted sites
Web hosting	A few dollars per month	From $4.99/mo, flat

The hidden costs to watch for

The sticker price is rarely the whole story. Before you buy anywhere, check for these:

Renewal hikes. A cheap first year that renews at two or three times the price.
Paid WHOIS privacy. Charging extra to keep your personal details off the public record.
Paid SSL. Charging for a certificate that many hosts include for free.
Checkout upsells. A cart pre-loaded with extras you did not ask for.

None of these are necessary. We include WHOIS privacy and SSL free, keep renewals flat, and do not upsell at checkout. If you are weighing options, our comparison of what to look for in a registrar lays it out.

What web hosting costs

Shared hosting starts at $4.99/mo with us and includes business email and free SSL. If you need more power, a VPS starts at $18.99/mo. See the full breakdown on the hosting page and the pricing page.

How to transfer a domain

Already own a domain and paying too much? Moving it is straightforward: unlock the domain at your current registrar, request the transfer or EPP code, then start the transfer at the new one. Most transfers add a year to your registration. You can begin one on our transfer page.

See the real numbers

Flat domain and hosting pricing, with privacy and SSL included. No first-year games.

See pricing Search a domain

Common questions

Costs, answered.

How much does a domain name cost per year?

A .com domain typically costs somewhere in the low tens of dollars per year. With us a .com starts at $12/yr, and the price does not jump on renewal. Prices vary by extension, so a .io or a niche TLD can cost more.

Why do domain prices jump on renewal?

Many registrars advertise a low first-year price, then renew at a much higher standard rate. It is a marketing tactic, not a rule. We use flat pricing, so your renewal matches your signup price.

Is WHOIS privacy free?

It should be. Some registrars charge extra for it. We include WHOIS privacy free on every domain, along with free SSL on every site you host with us.

How do I transfer a domain to a new registrar?

Unlock the domain at your current registrar, request the transfer or EPP code, then start the transfer at the new registrar. Most transfers add a year to your registration. You can begin one on our transfer page.