Do I need hosting if I use a free website builder? No — it's already included
This is one of the most common questions before launching a first website, and the answer is genuinely simple. A free website builder already hosts your site for you — there's no second bill, no server to rent, nothing to install. Here's exactly what's covered, the rare cases where you'd pay for hosting, and how to launch without hiring anyone.
No, you do not need to buy hosting if you use a free website builder. Hosting is built in — when you hit publish, the builder puts your site on its own servers and it goes live instantly. You only pay for separate hosting if you choose a self-hosted route like WordPress.org or a developer-built custom site. For most small businesses and sellers, a hosted builder removes that step entirely.
TL;DR
- • Free builder = hosting included. No separate hosting account, no extra payment, no setup.
- • You also get a free web address (a subdomain like yourname.sitesplaced.com) at ₹0.
- • You only pay for hosting if you self-host (WordPress.org, custom code) — that's a deliberate, more technical choice.
- • SitesPlaced free lets you build and publish a real online store — unlimited products, COD/UPI/WhatsApp, 0% commission — hosting included.
First, what is hosting — and why people ask this
Every website is just files that live on a computer (a "server") connected to the internet. Hosting is renting space on that server so anyone can load your site. A website builderis the tool you use to design and edit the site. They're two different jobs — which is why the question comes up.
The confusion is fair, because there are really two worlds. Hosted builders (SitesPlaced, Wix, Squarespace, Shopify) do both jobs for you: you build, they host, you publish. Self-hosted software (WordPress.org, a custom-coded site) gives you the software but you arrange hosting yourself. If you're on a free builder, you're in the first world — hosting is part of the package.
Hosting included or bought separately? A clear comparison
| Approach | Hosting | Web address | What you do | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free website builder (SitesPlaced) | Included free | Free yourname.sitesplaced.com | Just build & publish | ₹0 |
| Hosted builders (Wix / Squarespace) | Included in plan | Paid (often after yr 1) | Just build & publish | ~$16–17/mo |
| Shopify | Included in plan | Paid add-on | Build & publish | ~$29+/mo |
| WordPress (self-hosted) | You buy separately | You buy separately | Set up + maintain | ~₹3k–₹15k+/yr |
| Custom site by a developer | You (or they) arrange | You buy | Deploy + maintain | ₹30k–₹5L+ build |
Figures are approximate, entry-tier and region/2026-dependent — always confirm on each provider's site. SitesPlaced free includes hosting at ₹0.
When you do need to pay for hosting
Being honest: hosting isn't always free, and sometimes paying for it is the right call. You'll need separate hosting if you go down any of these routes:
- WordPress.org (self-hosted). The software is free and open-source, but you rent hosting (~₹3k–₹15k+/yr, or $50–$200+), buy a domain, and often pay for a theme and plugins. You also handle updates, backups and security. Powerful and flexible — but it's real work.
- A custom-coded site. If a developer builds something bespoke (a complex web app, a booking engine, an unusual integration), it has to be deployed and hosted somewhere — and someone has to maintain it. Custom builds commonly run ₹30k–₹5L+ ($1,000–$10,000+), plus ongoing hosting.
- Outgrowing a builder. If you genuinely need features no hosted platform offers, moving to self-hosted (and paying for hosting) can make sense. For the vast majority of small businesses, that day never comes.
If any of that sounds like you, it's worth reading whether to build it yourself or hire a developer and what hiring a developer actually costs before deciding.
For most people, a hosted builder is the whole point
If you run a shop, a service, a portfolio, or want to sell online, you almost certainly don't need to think about hosting at all. That's exactly the problem a hosted builder solves — it bundles the server, security, SSL, backups and the editor so you can focus on your business instead of becoming a sysadmin.
With SitesPlaced, the free plan goes further than most: you can build and publish a real online store for free on a yourname.sitesplaced.com address — unlimited products, unlimited orders, COD + UPI + WhatsApp checkout, inventory, coupons, PDF invoices and order emails — all at 0% commission, with no code and hosting included. Free comes with a small SitesPlaced badge, 500 MB storage and no AI. When you're ready for your own domain, the Ecommerce plan (₹499/mo, $14.99) adds a custom domain, removes the badge, turns on online card/UPI payments via Razorpay, AI copy, order tracking, Shiprocket shipping — and a dedicated person who sets it all up for you. Hosting is included on every tier. No hiring, no separate hosting bill, no GST surprises buried in a hosting invoice.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to buy hosting if I use a free website builder?
No. With a free website builder like SitesPlaced, hosting is already included — your site lives on the builder's servers and is live the moment you publish. You don't sign up for a separate hosting company, install anything, or pay an extra hosting bill. The one place you'd buy hosting separately is self-hosted software like WordPress.org, where the software is free but you rent the server yourself.
What's the difference between a website builder and web hosting?
Hosting is the server space where your website's files live so people can load them. A website builder is the tool you use to design the site. Hosted builders bundle both — you build the site and they host it for you. Self-hosted setups (like WordPress.org) split them: you get the software for free but pay a separate hosting provider for the server.
Is free website hosting actually any good?
From a modern hosted builder, yes. SitesPlaced's free plan gives you real hosting, SSL/HTTPS, and a fast yourname.sitesplaced.com address with no commission on sales — enough to run an actual online store. The trade-offs on free are a small SitesPlaced badge, 500 MB storage, no AI, and a subdomain instead of your own domain. The old-school 'free hosting' that injects ads and goes down is not the same thing.
When would I ever need to pay for hosting?
Only if you go self-hosted (WordPress.org, a custom-coded site, or an app a developer builds for you). Those give you full control but you rent the server, manage updates and security, and usually need technical help. For most small businesses, sellers and creators, a hosted builder removes that work entirely — and that's the point of using one.
Does a free website builder include a domain too?
It includes a free subdomain — like yourname.sitesplaced.com — at no cost. A custom domain (yourbrand.com) is a separate thing you'd add on a paid plan. On SitesPlaced the Ecommerce plan (₹499/mo, $14.99) connects your own domain, removes the badge, and adds online card/UPI payments and AI, with hosting still included.
Skip the hosting headache entirely
Build and publish a real store for free — hosting included, 0% commission, COD/UPI/WhatsApp built in. Or have a real person set it up for you.