Domain and hosting for your esports website: what you really need

1. Domain and hosting: the difference

The domain is the address visitors type in (for example your-org.com). Hosting is the storage on a server where your site lives and is delivered from. You can book both from the same provider or separately. Important: the domain belongs to you even if you change hosting later.

2. Choosing the right domain

• Short and memorable: The name of your organization, without numbers and hyphens if possible. Say it out loud and check whether people spell it correctly.
• Extension: .com works internationally, a country extension such as .de feels familiar locally. Exotic extensions are often cheap but harder to remember.
• Check naming rights: Is the name a well-known brand or does it belong to another team? Avoid that before, not after the logo is printed.
• Secure matching names: Social media handles should match the domain so your presence looks consistent.
• Renewal: Domains usually run for a year. Switch on automatic renewal and enter an email address that several people read.

3. Hosting: three options

For most organizations, web space with PHP and a database is the best middle way. Clan CMS runs on it, you do not need a server of your own.

4. What to look for in a provider

• PHP and MySQL: If you use a CMS, check that a current PHP version and a MySQL database are included.
• SSL certificate: Standard today and often included for free. The site must be reachable via https://.
• Location and data protection: A data center in the EU and a data processing agreement make many things easier (see our guide to legal notice and privacy).
• Backups: Are there automatic backups, and how long are they kept? Make your own in addition.
• Email mailboxes: With your own domain, addresses like contact@your-org.com look more serious, especially to sponsors.
• Support and term: Availability, notice periods and what applies to price increases are in the terms.
• Storage: Images and videos need more space than text. A few gigabytes usually last a clan site for a long time.

5. Set up right away: SSL, email, backups

1. Point the domain to the hosting: At the provider you enter that the domain points to your hosting. This can take up to a few hours.
2. Activate SSL: Switch on the certificate and redirect http:// to https://.
3. Create an email address: A general one (contact@) and one for the operator. Use it in the legal notice too.
4. Secure the credentials: Write down access to the provider, the domain and FTP or SFTP in a safe place that at least two people can reach.
5. Plan backups: Decide who takes a backup how often, and test once that you can really restore it.

6. Common mistakes

• Domain registered to a single person: If they leave the organization, the address leaves with them. Enter the organization or at least a second person as contact.
• Only one access account: Everything hangs on one password in one head.
• No eye on renewal: When a domain expires, it is free for others after a short time.
• Too big a package out of fear: A small package is enough to start, you can switch later.
• Backup never tested: A backup that was never restored is only a hope.

With Clan CMS: You upload the software to your web space and set it up in the browser. Afterwards you manage teams, matches, news and applications in the browser as well. More on the Clan CMS page. If you are still weighing whether a CMS is right, the guide to the clan website compares five options.

7. Frequently asked questions