A domain is your business’s address on the web. Hosting is the service that delivers your website to visitors. An email service receives and sends your business’s messages.
These can be with the same provider or separate services. Replacing your website therefore does not automatically mean changing your domain or email address.
Your website and email can use different providers. Confirm how email will continue before ending the old hosting service.
What does each service do?
| Item | Purpose | Good to remember |
|---|---|---|
| Domain name | Your business’s web address | The same domain can be connected to a new website |
| Hosting | Making the website available online | Hosting can be included in a website service |
| Web hosting package | A hosting package that may also contain other services | What is included varies by provider |
| Email service | Your business’s messages and mailboxes | Can run on a completely different service from the website |
| DNS (Domain Name System) | Directs domain traffic to the right services | The website and email can be directed to different places |
The roles of domains and web servers are also explained in MDN’s guides to domain names and web servers.
What happens to email when the website changes?
You usually do not need to change your email service when replacing your website. Your website and email can use the same domain even when they run on separate services.
The DNS settings must remain correct so that launching the new website does not disrupt email. MX (Mail Exchange) records, for example, direct incoming email to the right service.
What should you find out before changing websites?
Make a short list of your current services. You do not need technical expertise for this.
| Information to find | Where can you look? |
|---|---|
| Domain registrar and renewal | Domain invoice, renewal message or management account |
| Where DNS is managed | Current developer, registrar or service control panel |
| Email service and addresses in use | Email invoice and administrator details |
| Other services in the old contract | Contract and itemised invoice |
You can check .fi domain details through Traficom’s Whois service (in Finnish).
Once the information is available, the new provider can plan the switch without unnecessary changes.
Do you need a new domain when replacing a website?
Usually not. The same domain can be connected to a new website.
This matters for a business because its familiar web address can stay in use even when the website itself is completely redesigned.
You still need to take care of the domain renewal fee. Traficom’s guidance explains how to obtain and keep a .fi domain (in Finnish).
How does this work in GC’s website service?
GC’s service includes website hosting and connecting your existing domain to the new site.
Help with email setup and migration is also included. We review your current situation before development and help with the agreed setup or migration. Email-provider subscription fees are paid separately to the provider.
In practice, this means you do not need to work out yourself what needs changing in the domain, DNS or email for the new website.
See what the website service includes.
When can you end the old service?
Once you have confirmed it is no longer needed for the website, email, DNS or any other service still in use.
A well-managed switch includes testing the new website, email and contact form before closing down the old setup.
If you do not know where your current email or domain is hosted, that does not prevent you from replacing your website. Get in touch and tell us what you know about your current setup.
At a glance
Is a domain the same as a website? No. A domain is the address connected to the website.
Do you have to change email for a new website? Usually not. Working email can often stay as it is.
Is hosting included in GC’s service? Yes. Connecting your existing domain and help with email setup or migration are also included.