If you’re looking to buy a domain and get a website online fast, chances are you’ve seen Web.com pop up in search results with deals like “domains starting at $1.95.” On the surface, it sounds like a steal, but what’s the full story? In this blog, I’ll break down Web.com’s actual pricing, tools, and limitations so you can decide if it’s the right platform for your brand or business in 2025. Let’s get into it.
What Is Web.com?
Web.com has been around since 1999. It started as a hosting company but now offers domains, website building, email, and marketing tools in one place. It’s designed to be beginner-friendly, ideal for someone who wants to buy a domain, set up a site quickly, and manage everything in one dashboard. While it markets itself as a budget option, you’ll want to look closely at pricing beyond the first year.
Starting at $14/mo
Save up to 70% and get a free domain when you pay yearly
Key Features
AI-Powered Website Builder: Web.com offers an intuitive, drag-and-drop website builder enhanced with AI capabilities, allowing users to create professional websites without coding knowledge.
Comprehensive Hosting Services: All plans include web hosting with unlimited storage and bandwidth, a free domain for the first year, and an SSL certificate, ensuring a secure and reliable online presence.
E-commerce Functionality: The platform supports online store creation with features like secure checkout, integration with marketplaces such as Amazon and eBay, and tools for appointment scheduling and marketing.
Why We Recommend It
Web.com is ideal for individuals and small businesses seeking an all-in-one solution for website creation and management. Its user-friendly interface, combined with robust hosting and e-commerce features, makes it a practical choice for establishing an online presence efficiently.
Pros & Cons
- Easy-to-use builder suitable for beginners
- Comprehensive packages including domain, hosting, and SSL
- E-commerce capabilities for online selling
- No free plan available; only paid subscriptions
- Limited design flexibility compared to some competitors
- Renewal rates are higher after the initial term
Domain Pricing: Low Upfront, Higher Renewal Costs
Web.com advertises domains for $4.95 to $9.99 for the first year and sometimes as low as $1.95 if bundled with hosting. That’s great if you’re launching a site on a budget.
But here’s the catch: Renewal prices jump to $20–$37/year, which is much higher than alternatives like Namecheap or Hostinger, where renewals are usually $10–$15.
Sale up to 38% off
Key Features
Affordable domain registration with free privacy protection.
Web hosting and email services included.
Easy-to-use website builder and management tools.
Why We Recommend It
Namecheap is one of the best options for buying domains at low prices. It’s great for individuals and businesses looking for a simple, budget-friendly way to secure a domain and set up a website.
Pros & Cons
- Competitive pricing with free WHOIS privacy.
- User-friendly interface for managing domains.
- Reliable customer support.
- Some hosting plans lack advanced features.
- Upsells can be frequent during checkout.
Starting from $2.49/month
Get Hostinger web-hosting from $2.49 /mo + extra months
Key Features
Extremely affordable
User-friendly control panel
LiteSpeed Cache for faster loading times
Why We Recommend It
Storage and Bandwidth:
30 GB SSD storage
100 GB bandwidth
Extras:
Free SSL certificate
Pros & Cons
- Low starting price
- Good performance for the price
- No free domain in the lowest-tier plan
- Support can be slow during peak times
Also, domain privacy (which hides your personal info from public WHOIS records) costs extra here. Many competitors offer that for free. So, while Web.com gets you in the door cheaply, the long-term pricing adds up quickly.
Included Features (and What Costs Extra)
When you buy a domain, Web.com encourages you to bundle in web hosting, email, and site builder tools. Here’s a breakdown:
- Free domain for the first year (only if you buy hosting)
- Drag-and-drop site builder with templates (basic and beginner-friendly)
- SSL certificate is not always included unless you’re on a higher-tier plan
- Domain privacy protection is an upsell
- Email services come with paid hosting plans
Everything works, but you’re paying à la carte for features that are often included elsewhere.
Website Builder: Easy, But Basic
Web.com’s site builder is simple to use. You get categorized templates by industry and a visual editor that lets you drag and drop content. It’s fine for basic websites like portfolios, service businesses, or landing pages but don’t expect the flexibility of Wix or the power of WordPress. If you want advanced SEO tools, custom design control, or integrations with modern eCommerce plugins, you’ll hit limitations fast. That said, it’s enough to launch something clean and simple.
Domain Management Experience
This is where Web.com does well. Their domain dashboard is intuitive. You can:
- Enable auto-renew
- Edit DNS records
- Connect domains to your website or email
- Access billing and support in one place
However, transferring your domain out can be a little clunky and involves going through support instead of a seamless self-service process. Something to keep in mind if you plan to switch platforms later.
Watch Out for Hidden Fees
Web.com is known for its upsell-heavy model. You’ll often see a low price during checkout, but that jumps when you add:
- Domain privacy
- SSL
- Business email
- Hosting features like backups or analytics
None of this is shady, it’s just not obvious unless you read the fine print. You need to know what you’re paying for upfront versus what gets added later.
Who Should Use Web.com?
Best for:
- Beginners who want a simple, all-in-one platform
- Users who don’t want to mess with plugins, coding, or multiple services
- Businesses that need a basic website and domain without comparing every option
Not ideal for:
- Power users who want full design control or fast-loading WordPress sites
- Anyone building an online store or content-heavy blog
- Budget-conscious users focused on long-term savings
Final Verdict: Is Web.com Worth It in 2025?
Web.com is convenient but not the cheapest or most flexible. It’s best for beginners who value simplicity and want a quick launch without juggling separate services. But if you’re planning to grow your site, care about long-term savings, or need full control, you’re better off registering your domain through a platform like Hostinger or Namecheap and building your site on WordPress or Squarespace.
