If you are a beginner in website building, you must have frequently heard of terminologies like domain and hosting. Although related and needed to run a website, they are two very different things.
This distinction is important to know for those who want to set up a website either for personal use, for a blog, or for a business.
This guide will walk you through the following: what domains and hosting are and their interplay, the differences between them, and how to select the appropriate services for your website.
Difference Between Domain Name & Hosting?
What is Domain Name ?
A domain name is simply the address of your website that people type in their browser to reach you. It is basically an address of you on the Internet, just like you have a home address.
There would be no domain name, instead a visitor would have to remember different (sometimes complex) numbers (IP address) in order to visit a website.
How Domain Names Work
When someone types in a domain name such as www dot example. When a user types in a domain into their web browser (let’s use domain.com as an example) it first contacts a Domain Name System (DNS) server and translates that domain into an IP address. Next, the IP address sends the visitor to the appropriate web hosting server and provides the address where the website is stored.
Types of Domain Names
Domains can be of different varieties, such as:
TLDs — This includes the ever-popular extensions such as. com,. org,. com, the trend toward greater specific domains such as.net, and country-specific domains like. ca (Canada) or. uk (United Kingdom).
SLD (Second-Level Domains) – This is the main part of your domain, where example in example. com.
SubDomains – These are extensions of a domain like blog. example. com or shop. example. com, which is commonly used as a delimiter between different sections of a website.
Premium Domains – Certain domain names are designated as desirable names and deemed premium domains based on their attractiveness, such as short and branded names that carry a higher price tag.
Pros of Domain Names
- It helps users to find and memorize your website easily.
- Assists in branding and online presence.
- More room for customization and personalization.
- It helps businesses build credibility on the internet.
- If necessary, it can be take between registrars.
Cons of Domain Names
- Must be renewed every year (unless long term registration is paid in advance)
- Keep in mind, good domain names could be already in use by someone else.
- Others can get a bit pricey depending on demand and availability.
- Of course, this consistency is branding and is difficult to change once established.
What is Web Hosting?
Web Hosting refers to a service that allows you to store and maintain everything needed to keep a website up and running online. Hosting providers lease space on a server that stores and serves your website files (HTML, images, video, etc).
How Web Hosting Works
When you upload files to your website hosting server, anyone can visit your website using your domain name over the internet. They keep your site online, manage performance, and provide security features.
Types of Web Hosting
Various Types Of Hosting Services Are:
- Shared Hosting – Many sites host under a single server. Good for small websites and novice users.
- VPS Hosting – Virtual Private Server hosting offers greater resources and control for websites with larger traffic.
- Dedicated Hosting – One server per website, managing high performance and security.
- Cloud Hosting: More scalable and reliable, this type of hosting uses a network of servers.
- Managed WordPress Hosting: Specifically optimized for WordPress sites that offer automatic updates and enhanced security.
- Reseller Hosting – Enables someone to resell hosting services (in a privatized manner)
Pros of Web Hosting
- Make sure that your website is available online 24/7.
- Helps in taking care of all the security, backups as well as performance optimization.
- There are multiple types of hosting and everyone has different needs and budgets.
- Scalable, upgrade as your website grows.
- Most of the hosting providers comes with a technical assistance to help us out.
Cons of Web Hosting
- Subscription-based with monthly or annual fees.
- Bad Hosting may result in slow website performance and downtime.
- A few hosting companies have a complicated pricing policy and additional fees..
- If switching providers can prove tricky to migrate
- There can also be security risks if it is a low-quality provider.
The Key Differences Between Domain & Hosting
| Feature | Domain Name | Web Hosting |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | The address of your website (e.g., example.com) |
The storage space where website files are kept |
| Function | Helps users find your website online | Stores website content and makes it available online |
| Dependency | Cannot work without hosting (needs a place to point to) | Can work without a domain but would use an IP address instead |
| Cost | Typically purchased annually | Usually a monthly or annual subscription |
| Provider Examples | GoDaddy, Namecheap, Google Domains | Bluehost, SiteGround, Hostinger |
Analogy: Domain vs. Hosting
Consider a website as home:
- A domain name is like the address of the house. It assists individuals in locating its whereabouts.
- Think of web hosting as the actual house. Berhead stores all the furniture, stuff, and decorations (website files) that gets you to another website.
- Without hosting, well your domain would just be an empty address. People wont even know where to find your website without a domain.
Do you need a domain and Hosting both?
Yes! A domain name will not run alone, a domain works with web hosting to have a fully functional website. Here is how they mix:
- Learn about registering a domain name, for example, yourwebsite. com).
- Get web hosting from a good enough service provider.
- Link up your domain to your hosting provider — so when someone types in your domain, they are taken to your website files.
- Begin creating your website using a web builder like WordPress or custom code.
A few hosting providers give free domain registration with hosting which is an easy way to set up a website.
Final Words
Domain names and web hosting are two vital terms to know when it comes to building a website. Your website needs a domain a.k.a– address and hosting a.k.a– home for the files to be displayed. Both of these together bring your website online.
So whenever you are creating a website, always go with a trusted domain register and best hosting provider for optimal performance, security and simplicity.
