Greetings everyone!

My objective is to launch my initial website onto the internet. As I researched the process, I found myself a bit confused. There are multiple domain registrars alongside various hosting services.

I'm having trouble understanding why many experts advise against registering a domain through my chosen hosting service. Instead, they suggest using a reputable organization such as reg.ru.  If I picked a hosting service, like the highest-rated services for this year - beget.com or timeweb.com, would registering my domain with them be considered unwise? Furthermore, if you have any recommendations for hosting services that balance price and quality, I would love to hear them.

Do any of you have experience with launching websites? I'd greatly appreciate any advice or suggestions!

Let me provide some advice regarding launching your first website. Instead of dealing with the hassle and expenses of paid web hosting and domain registration, I suggest going for a free web hosting with a free domain. This way, you can try things out without wasting money, learn from any mistakes, and then upgrade to a better service once you have gained more experience.

You can find an extensive list of free hosting services at www.free-webhosts.com. For obtaining a free domain, check out www.freenom.com.

Do keep in mind that while free web hosting and domains come at no cost, they may have limited features and are not suitable for large-scale websites. However, it's a great option to get started and test the waters!

It's worth noting that domains can be transferred from one registrar to another. The hosting providers you mentioned are typically affiliated with larger registrars. If you're only planning to use a few domains, choosing a registrar-based hosting provider makes little difference.

However, if you intend to work with many domains, selecting a registrar separately might be a better choice. By doing so, you can consolidate all of your domains in one place while selecting hosting services based on your website's requirements.

It's important to differentiate between domain name services and hosting services. While you can register a domain name with one company and acquire hosting services from another, the two are essentially separate services.

Generally speaking, the domain name registrar provides Name Servers (NS) which allow you to edit your DNS records. To connect your domain name with the IP address of your hosting provider, you can set up an 'A' record with the domain name registrar. By doing so, you can direct internet traffic to your hosting server.

When experts recommend using a dedicated domain registrar like reg.ru instead of your hosting service, they often do so for a few reasons. First, if you register your domain with your hosting provider, you could face complications if you ever decide to switch hosting services. It can be trickier to transfer your domain if it's tied to your hosting account. Also, some hosting companies might charge higher renewal fees for domains compared to standard registrars. This can really add up over time.

Now, about beget.com and timeweb.com, they are indeed highly-rated, but if you register your domain with them, you're also tying it to their services. This isn't necessarily unwise, but it's something to think about. A big reason many prefer different companies for domain registration and hosting is to keep things flexible. If the hosting service goes down or has issues, your domain is separate and accessible, giving you more control.

As for hosting services that balance price and quality, there are a few options worth considering. SiteGround is well-regarded for its support and performance, though it might be a bit pricier. Bluehost is popular among beginners for its user-friendly approach. If you're looking for something cheaper, A2 Hosting can be a great alternative without compromising too much on speed.

In my experience, launching a website is not just about picking a service, but understanding how these elements work together. Always read reviews and maybe even seek recommendations. And remember to look into the support options available, as having good customer service is invaluable, especially for someone just starting out.