Having a site is a bit more complicated than just having a domain name and uploading files for it on a server. The web hosting service also includes things like domain records, databases, email addresses, stats, FTP access, and so on. Though they are probably not the first thing that comes to mind when you bring up the word “website”, they are an important part of any site and none of them can be skipped. If you'd like to start and keep a prosperous presence online, you will need an easy way to manage these things, specifically if you aren't very knowledgeable. Besides the convenience, it is also important to have full control over your domains and the hosting service associated with them.