Difference Between Domain and Web Hosting
Last Updated on 2nd October 2023 by Ajmer Singh
Do you want to know about the “Difference between domain and web hosting”?
Having a website is essential for any business or individual looking to establish a strong online presence.
But in order to create a website, two key components are necessary: a domain name and web hosting.
Despite their importance, many people are not familiar with the differences between these two elements or how they work together to create a functional website.
In this article, I will provide a comprehensive guide to understanding the difference between domain and web hosting, as well as how they work together to create a website.
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What is a Domain Name?
At its most basic level, a domain name is the address people type into their web browser to access your website.
Just like your home address tells people where to find your house, your domain name tells people where to find your website.
A domain name consists of two parts: the top-level domain (TLD) and the second-level domain.
The TLD is the part of the domain name that comes after the “dot,” such as .com, .org, .net, and so on.
The second-level domain is the part of the domain name that comes before the “dot,” such as “google” in google.com.
For example, if you wanted to start a website selling handmade crafts, you might choose the domain name “handmadecrafts.com.”
“Handmadecrafts” is the second-level domain, while “.com” is the TLD.
Choosing the right domain name is important because it’s often the first impression people have of your website.
You want your domain name to be memorable and easy to spell, and it should reflect the content of your website.
What is Web Hosting?
Web hosting is the service that provides the infrastructure and technology needed to store and deliver the content of your website to the internet.
Essentially, web hosting is the “home” of your website, where all of the files and data that make up your website are stored and made available to visitors who access your site.
There are many different types of web hosting, but some of the most common include shared hosting, dedicated hosting, and VPS hosting.
For example, let’s say you have a website that sells handmade jewellery.
When someone types in your domain name, their web browser sends a request to the web hosting server where your website is stored.
The server then retrieves the website files and sends them back to the user’s web browser, displaying your website on their screen.
Web hosting is essential for ensuring that your website is always accessible to your visitors.
If your web hosting is down, your website will be inaccessible to your audience, and you’ll miss out on potential traffic and revenue.
Choosing the right web hosting provider is important for the success of your website.
Purpose and Functionality of a Domain
Branding: Domains enable businesses and individuals to establish a memorable online presence.
A well-chosen domain can reflect the brand name, making it easier for users to associate the domain with a specific company, organization, or individual.
Professionalism: Having a domain-specific email address (e.g., info@yourbusiness.com) enhances the professional image of a website owner.
It conveys credibility and authenticity, compared to using generic email services.
Navigation: Domains make it easier for users to navigate to a website.
Instead of remembering and entering the IP address (a series of numbers) associated with a server, users can simply type the domain name in their browsers, allowing for a more intuitive and user-friendly experience.
Purpose and Functionality of Web Hosting
File Storage: Web hosting services allocate space on servers to store website files, including HTML documents, images, videos, databases, and other content that make up the website.
Server Management: Web hosting providers handle server maintenance, ensuring the servers are running smoothly, securely, and up to date with the latest software and technologies.
They also manage server backups, security measures, and technical support.
Website Accessibility: Web hosting ensures that a website is accessible to users 24/7.
When a user enters a domain in their web browser, the browser sends a request to the appropriate web hosting server.
The server then retrieves the requested files and delivers them to the user’s browser, allowing them to view and interact with the website.
Major Differences between Domains and Web Hosting
Ownership and Control: Domains can be registered and owned by individuals or organizations, while web hosting services are provided by hosting companies, giving them control over the server infrastructure.
Function and Role: Domains primarily serve as an address for accessing a website and contribute to branding and navigation.
Web hosting focuses on storing website files and data and ensuring their accessibility to users.
Accessibility and Visibility: Domains determine the visibility of a website by providing an easy-to-remember address.
Web hosting determines the accessibility of a website by storing and delivering its content to users.
Examples to Illustrate the Difference
Domain-only Scenario: In a domain-only scenario, let’s consider an individual named John who registered the domain “johndoe.com” for personal branding purposes.
Although John has a registered domain, he hasn’t subscribed to any web hosting service.
As a result, when users enter “johndoe.com” in their browsers, there are no website files or content to be delivered.
In this scenario, the domain exists, but there is no web hosting infrastructure to store and serve the website.
Web Hosting-only Scenario: In a web hosting-only scenario, let’s consider a company named XYZ Corporation.
They have a website hosted on a server provided by a web hosting company. However, they haven’t registered a unique domain for their website.
Consequently, the website is accessible through a subdomain provided by the hosting company, such as “xyzcorporation.hostingcompany.com.”
In this case, the website is functional and hosted on a server, but it lacks a distinct domain name for branding and easy access.
Combined Domain and Web Hosting Scenario: In a combined scenario, imagine a small business called ABC Coffee.
They register the domain “abccoffee.com” and sign up for a web hosting service. The web hosting provider allocates server space to store the website’s files and data.
Now, when users enter “abccoffee.com” in their browsers, the browser sends a request to the web hosting server.
The server retrieves the website files and delivers them to the user’s browser, allowing them to access ABC Coffee’s website.
In this example, the combined use of a domain and web hosting ensures that the website has a unique address and the necessary infrastructure to store and deliver the website’s content.
How do Domain and Web Hosting Work Together?
Domain names and web hosting work together to ensure that your website is accessible to your audience.
When someone types in your domain name, their web browser sends a request to the web hosting server where your website is stored.
The server then retrieves the website files and sends them back to the user’s web browser, displaying your website on their screen.
Without a domain name, people wouldn’t know how to find your website.
And without web hosting, there would be nowhere to store your website files and data.
Think of it like a physical address and a house: your domain name is the address that tells people where to find your website, and web hosting is the house where all of your website’s content is stored.
Let’s say you have a website that provides online courses for learning to play the guitar.
You’ve purchased the domain name “learnguitar.com” and signed up for web hosting with a provider.
When someone types in “learnguitar.com” into their web browser, their request is sent to the web hosting server where your website files are stored.
The server then retrieves the files and displays them in the user’s web browser, allowing them to access your website and its content.
Purchasing a Domain Name
There are many domain name registrars where you can purchase a domain name, such as GoDaddy, Namecheap, and Google Domains.
Before you choose a registrar, consider factors such as pricing, customer support, and additional services such as email hosting and website builders.
When choosing a domain name, try to keep it short, memorable, and easy to spell.
Avoid using hyphens or numbers, as these can make your domain name harder to remember or confuse potential visitors.
It’s also important to choose a domain name that reflects your brand or business and is relevant to your industry or niche.
For example, let’s say you’re starting a blog about healthy cooking.
You might choose a domain name such as “HealthyKitchen.com” or “CleanEatsBlog.com”.
These names are memorable, relevant to your niche, and easy to remember.
Once you’ve chosen a domain name, you’ll need to register it with a domain name registrar.
Purchasing Web Hosting
Determine your website’s needs:
Before purchasing web hosting, it’s important to determine your website’s needs.
Consider the amount of traffic you’re expecting, the type of content you’ll be hosting, and any special requirements you might have.
Choose a web hosting provider:
There are many web hosting providers to choose from, ranging from small-scale providers to larger, well-established ones.
Some popular web hosting providers include Cloudways and Rocket.net.
Choose a hosting plan:
Once you’ve chosen a web hosting provider, you’ll need to choose a hosting plan.
Web hosting plans vary in terms of features, storage, bandwidth, and pricing.
Some providers offer shared hosting, which means your website will share a server with other websites.
Others offer dedicated hosting, which means your website will have its own server.
Sign up for your hosting plan:
Once you’ve chosen a web hosting plan, it’s time to sign up. This typically involves providing your personal information and payment details.
Install and set up your website:
Once you’ve signed up for your hosting plan, you’ll need to install and set up your website.
This involves uploading your website’s files, setting up email accounts, and configuring any necessary settings.
Connecting Your Domain Name and Web Hosting
Once you’ve purchased a domain name and web hosting, the next step is to connect them so that your website can be accessed by visitors.
Step 1: Locate Your DNS Settings
The first step is to locate your domain name system (DNS) settings.
This is where you’ll add the name servers provided by your web hosting provider.
Step 2: Add Your Hosting Provider’s Name Servers
Next, you’ll need to add your hosting provider’s name servers to your DNS settings.
This tells the domain name registrar where to find your website’s files. Your hosting provider will provide you with the name servers to add.
Step 3: Wait for DNS Propagation
After adding the name servers, you’ll need to wait for DNS propagation to occur.
This process can take up to 24 hours, and during this time, your website may be unavailable or show an error message.
Step 4: Test Your Website
Once DNS propagation is complete, you can test your website to make sure it’s working properly.
You can do this by entering your domain name in a web browser and checking that your website appears.
Examples:
Let’s say you purchased your domain name from GoDaddy and your web hosting from Cloudways.
To connect your domain name and web hosting, you’ll need to log in to your GoDaddy account and locate the DNS settings for your domain.
Then, you’ll add Cloudways name servers to your DNS settings.
After waiting for DNS propagation to occur, you can test your website by entering your domain name in a web browser.
If your website appears, you’ve successfully connected your domain name and web hosting.
Wrapping Up – Domain vs Web Hosting
Domain and web hosting are essential components for a successful website.
While a domain provides a unique address and online identity, web hosting ensures the availability and accessibility of the website’s content.
Choosing a reliable domain and web hosting provider is important for ensuring the smooth functioning and growth of a website.
I hope these examples and explanations provide a clear understanding of the difference between domain and web hosting.
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