No. :) You can purchase your domain name and email address from ANY domain registrar.

There are many place to buy a domain name: GoDaddy, Namecheap, Google Workspace, Domains.com and others - and we provide help center articles to walk you thru the simple steps to update your own DNS Records on these different platforms.

However, if you purchase a domain name thru ShinePages Domains (Yes, it's a separate website from ShinePages.com) we will not only give you a fair price, we'll also be able to set up those DNS records FOR you if you wish. One less "tech thing" to think about! 

While related, website hosting and domain hosting are two different services.

Web hosts store content, like website pages, funnel pages, course pages, etc. on internet servers.

Domain hosts provide domain names, which are the addresses that help visitors access website content. (ie: www.yourdomainname.com)

ShinePages (ShinePages.com) is your Website Host. We host your website and your funnels as well as the tools to build and customize in the Builder, your Store and all your products, your Contacts, your Appointments, your Files and your Email campaigns and Automations.  We also provide you with an SSL certificate to keep your websites and funnels secure. 

ShinePages Domains (Domains.ShinePages.com) can be your Domain Host if you choose. This separate site is where you can purchase and host your domain names/URLs and your business email addresses/inboxes.

Note that Domains.ShinePages.com is a different site than ShinePages.com and is separate from the "ShinePages plans" of Spark, Glow, Shine, etc. 

While other platforms may sometimes "bundle" website hosting and domain hosting together in one "package" or "plan" - they are indeed two separate and distinct things and typically can be separated (and paid for separately as well). This "bundling" can often be a cause of confusion where people don't know where they purchased their domain name, how much it costs, what the difference is between the two or how to access their domain's DNS records. 

We have chosen NOT to offer "bundles" of web hosting and domain hosting together at this time.  Should you choose to purchase a domain name or business email address from "ShinePages Domains" it would be a separate transaction from your "ShinePages" plan (Spark, Glow, Shine, etc.).  We will however be able to gain access to the DNS records area of your domain to help set up the connection between your domain and your ShinePages website for you.

Links: 

ShinePages - https://shinepages.com

Website hosting, Funnel hosting, store, contacts, appointments, emails & automations, files, SSL certificate and more. 

ShinePages Domains - https://domains.shinepages.com

Domains and Business email addresses

Yes and No. :) 

YES, IF you'd like to send mass marketing emails (newsletters, email blasts, etc.) OR set up automated email sequences using the ShinePages "Emails & Automations" functionality. In that case you will need a "business email address" (ie: yourname@yourwebsitedomain.com) that matches your website domain. Note that you cannot use a free gmail, yahoo, prontomail, etc. email address to send these types of marketing emails as "Campaigns" or "Automations" within ShinePages. 

Bonus tip: We believe that a "business email address" looks more professional and polished than a free "gmail" email address - and gives an impression of legitimacy to others. While not "necessary" to have if you aren't planning to use the ShinePages Emails & Automations feature - it may be an investment to consider for your business regardless. :)  

NO, IF you DO NOT plan to use ShinePages Emails & Automations (or really any third party "email marketing" platform - as most platforms like Mailchimp, MailerLite, etc. also do not allow or do not recommend free "gmail email addresses") and instead plan to only communicate with your clients via your own email inbox.  

Note: Using ShinePages (or any other email marketing platform) does not replace your own email inbox.  You will still receive and send normal email communication back and forth with contacts via your own email in-box regardless of whether you have a paid "business email address" or a free gmail/yahoo/etc. email address. 

In other words - if someone "replies" to an email you send out via an Email Campaign or Automation - it will show up in your own email inbox where you can continue the back and forth communication with that person. 

Final note - All "system generated" or "transactional" emails such as order confirmations will automatically come "From" a no-reply email straight from ShinePages and will appear to be "From" your business name as set in your Website Settings. You do not need to supply your own email address for these transactional emails. 

At this time, NO, a Custom Domain name (ie: www.yourbusinessname.com) is not included in your ShinePages plan, however we do provide you with a "system domain". 

Your provided "system domain" will look like: https://yourchosennamehere.shinepages.com and is an active, live link to your website or funnel. Before you connect your purchased "custom domain" - you can use your "system domain" to share a link to your site.

You do not NEED to purchase or connect a "Custom Domain" to your website or funnel at any time - you can use your provided "System Domain" instead. However, we find that most people want to have a fully-branded domain name and will purchase a custom domain name for that reason. 

See the FAQ above regarding the difference between "Website Hosting" and "Domain Hosting" to read why we do not currently "bundle" websites and domains together. 

No. :)

If you are hosting your website with ShinePages we provide an SSL certificate with every plan to cover all websites and funnels on your project. Your site(s) will be secure already and typically no other "protection" is needed.

If you purchase a domain name from ShinePages Domains but do not host your website with ShinePages, you will want to check with your website hosting platform to see if they supply SSL certificates or not. If they do not - you can add-on an SSL certificate when purchasing your domain.

We're here to support you! 

Through our partnership with GoDaddy - you actually have TWO forms of support when purchasing your Domains and Business email addresses. 

To get your newly purchased domain connected to your ShinePages website or funnel - send us at email at support@shinepages.com and let us know you're ready to connect. Supply your name, email and the domain name you purchased and we can get you all set up!

If you have more technical questions on the set-up of your email inbox or anything else - GoDaddy customer support is available via phone at (480) 624-2500