When you’re setting up a campaign website, the web address is one of the first things to settle. A custom domain with just your name in it looks polished, but it also means choosing a registrar, paying a yearly fee, and connecting the domain to your site, all before you’ve published anything.
If you’re building with ActBlue Website Builder, you can skip those steps. Every site comes with an ActBlue-hosted web address, included in your subscription, that’s live as soon as you publish.
For most campaigns, that’s the right place to start. Your early weeks are better spent reaching voters and raising money than on website setup. A custom domain becomes worth adding later, once you’re printing yard signs and knocking doors.
This article covers how a hosted address differs from a custom domain, what’s included with Website Builder, when it makes sense to upgrade, and what a custom domain costs.
A few terms, explained
You’ll see the following words when you set up your site. Here’s what they mean.
- Web address (or URL): the address people type to visit your site, like janedoeforcouncil.com.
- Domain: the main part of a web address. In janedoeforcouncil.com, the domain is “janedoeforcouncil.com.” Think of it like a phone number for your website: it’s how people find you. There are two types of domains: custom and hosted.
- Custom domain: a domain you buy and control, with no platform name in it. An example of a custom domain is janedoeforcouncil.com.
- Hosted address: a web address provided by the platform your site is built on. It includes the platform’s name. If you’re using ActBlue’s hosted address, that would look like janedoeforcouncil.sitesab.com.
- Registrar: a company that sells domains. GoDaddy, Namecheap, Cloudflare, and Squarespace Domains are common ones.
- DNS records: behind-the-scenes settings that point your domain to your website. You’ll copy and paste these once when you connect a custom domain. You don’t need to understand how they work.
What’s the difference between a hosted address and a custom domain?
The main difference is who owns the address.
A hosted address is a web address that belongs to the platform your site is built on. The platform lets you use it for free while your site lives there. That’s why it includes the platform’s name. On ActBlue Website Builder, a hosted address looks like janedoeforcouncil.sitesab.com.
A custom domain is a web address you buy and control yourself. It has no platform name in it, just the name you chose, like janedoeforcouncil.com. You pay a domain registrar a yearly fee to keep it, and you decide which website it points to.
Think of it this way: a custom domain is like owning your own phone number: if you switch carriers, you take the number with you. A hosted address is like an extension on someone else’s phone system: it works exactly the same, but only while you’re on that system.
Is a domain included with ActBlue Website Builder?
An ActBlue-hosted address is included; a custom domain is not.
- Included: an ActBlue-hosted web address. You choose the first part (like “janedoeforcouncil”), and the address ends in “sitesab.com.” There’s nothing to buy and no technical setup. You can’t remove the “sitesab.com” part.
- Not included: a custom domain. ActBlue doesn’t sell domains, so if you prefer a custom one, you’ll have to buy one from a registrar (such as GoDaddy or Squarespace Domains) and then connect it to your site. If you already own a domain, you can connect that one instead.
| ActBlue-hosted address | Custom domain | |
| Example | janedoeforcouncil.sitesab.com | janedoeforcouncil.com |
| Who owns it | ActBlue | You |
| Cost | Included with Website Builder for $40/mo | About $10-$25/yr, paid to a registrar |
| Setup | Type in the domain name you’ve decided on. That’s it. | Buy it from a registrar, then connect it to your site. |
| On a yard sign or mailer | May be longer or harder to remember | Short and easy to remember |
Can I start with an ActBlue-hosted address and switch later?
Yes! Early in a campaign, what matters most is having a place to send people: a page that says who you are, why you’re running, and how to donate. That’s why we recommend starting with an ActBlue-hosted address.
On day one, you can choose your address, publish your site, and start sharing your link. There’s nothing to buy and nothing to set up. In the early weeks, most people will reach your site by tapping a link in a text, email, or social post, so they won’t need to type your address at all.
But as your campaign grows, what you need from your web address might change. A custom domain might be worth adding when you:
- Start printing materials. Yard signs, mailers, door hangers, and palm cards need an address that’s short and easy to remember.
- Ramp up your fundraising. When you’re sending more fundraising emails and texts and asking supporters to share your page, a short address that’s all yours is easier to pass along.
- Organize more in person. At forums, house parties, and the door, you’ll be saying your address out loud. “janedoe.com” is easier to remember than a longer hosted address.
- Want a campaign email address. A custom domain lets you set up an address like jane@janedoe.com through an email provider.
When you reach that point, buy your domain and connect it to the site you’ve already built. Your content stays the same, so you’re not starting over.
How much does a custom domain cost?
A .com domain usually costs about $10 to $25 a year. Here are a few things to know before you buy:
- First-year prices are often lower. Many registrars offer a discount for the first year, then charge more when you renew. Look for the renewal price before you buy.
- You pay every year. A domain isn’t a one-time purchase. If you don’t renew it, your site stops loading at that address, and someone else could buy it.
- It’s likely a campaign expense. In most cases, a domain for your campaign should be paid for and reported like any other campaign expense. Check the rules for your state or locality, or ask your treasurer.
Start where you are
You don’t need a custom domain, a finished website, or any technical experience to start telling voters why you’re running. Publish your site on your ActBlue-hosted address and share it with the people who already want to help: friends, neighbors, and early supporters.
As your campaign grows into yard signs, house parties, and bigger fundraising pushes, add a custom domain and keep building on the site you already have.
Build your campaign website and start accepting donations with ActBlue
ActBlue Website Builder comes with campaign-ready templates, an ActBlue-hosted web address, and a donate button connected to your ActBlue fundraising. No setup fees or technical experience required.
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