What is the Difference Between Domain Name and Web Hosting Published: 07 Aug, 2023
What is the Difference Between Domain Name and Web Hosting
A lot of our readers often inquire about the difference between a domain name and web hosting. It's quite common for newcomers to be unaware that these are two distinct elements.
In this simple guide for beginners, we'll walk you through the fundamental difference between a domain name and web hosting.
What is a Domain Name?
A domain name is like the address of your website. Think of it as the way people enter your website's location in their web browser.
To make it simpler, imagine your website as a house. Your domain name is what points to that house.
Now, let's break it down further.
The Internet works like a big network of connected computers. Each computer has a unique set of numbers called an IP Address. These addresses look like this: 66.249.66.1
While computers handle these numbers well, humans find them hard to remember and use to reach websites online.
To tackle this, domain names were created. They serve as user-friendly labels for websites, making it easy for us to access them without dealing with complex numbers.
A domain name can include words, which makes it simple to remember website addresses.
Now, if you want to go to a website online, you don't have to type a bunch of numbers. Instead, you can enter a domain name that's easy to recall, like yourdomainer.com.
For more insights about domain names, explore our beginner's guide explaining how to select the domain name and how they function.
Additionally, take a look at our guide related to domain flipping and how to make money out of it.
What is a Web Hosting?
Web hosting is like a home for your website's files. It's where your website lives on the internet, just like a house where you live.
Think of it this way: if your domain name is your house's address, then web hosting is the actual house that the address points to.
Every website on the internet needs web hosting.
When you type in your website's address in a web browser, the address gets turned into a special number (IP address) that points to the computer of the company that's hosting your website.
This computer, also called a hosting server, has all the files that make up your website. It sends these files back to people's web browsers so they can see your website.
Companies that do web hosting are experts in storing and showing websites. They have different types of hosting plans, like shared hosting, VPS hosting, managed WordPress hosting, cloud hosting, and eCommerce hosting.
Check this guide on web hosting including WordPress Hosting to learn more about picking the right hosting for your website.
How Domain Names and Web Hosting Work Together
Domain names and web hosting are separate things, but they work together to make websites happen.
Imagine the domain name system as a huge address book that's always being updated. Each domain name has the address of the web hosting service that keeps the website's files.
Without domain names, no one could find your website. And without web hosting, you couldn't even build a website.
That's why many of the places where you buy domain names also offer web hosting services.
What You Need to Create a Website: Domain Name or Web Hosting?
To make a website, you require both a domain name and a web hosting account.
Simply buying a domain name allows you to use that specific name for a certain time (usually a year).
Web hosting is needed to save all your website's files. Once you have hosting, you must update your domain name settings to connect it with your web hosting service.
You can also purchase the domain and hosting together from one company such as NameCheap, GoDaddy or YourDomainer. Usually, a domain name costs around $14.99 per year, while web hosting is approximately $7.99 per month.
If you're new to create website online, this might seem overwhelming.
Here's an alternative choice: we're now suggesting Coudways, a fast-growing WordPress hosting provider. In our recent speed tests, Cloudways has proven to be faster than the rest.
After you've gotten your hosting and registered your domain name, you're ready to start building your website.
Do I need to buy them together? Or can I get them separately?
You're free to buy a domain name and web hosting from two different companies. But, if you go that route, you'll need to connect your domain name to your hosting by tweaking its DNS settings.
On the other side, when you get both your domain name and web hosting from one company, you can skip the domain name settings.
Managing and renewing both services under the same dashboard is also simpler.
If you'd rather buy domain names separately, you can do so from big-name domain registrars like Domain.com, Network Solutions, Godaddy, YourDomainer or NameCheap.
Easily Move Your Domain Name or Website to a New Company
Wondering if you can transfer your domain name to another company? Yes, you can! Once you've registered a domain name, you own it and can shift it wherever you like.
Imagine you got your domain from Domain.com and hosting from NameCheap. Now you're thinking about moving the domain to NameCheap for simpler management. That's doable! Both companies offer clear steps to guide you in transferring your domain.
Note: Wait around 45 days after registering or renewing your domain before moving it. ICANN, the global domain overseer, requires a year's renewal when a transfer happens. Transferring your domain could make you lose a year's renewal fee.
Can I Migrate My Website to Another Web Hosting Company Without Changing Domain Name?
Yes, you can do this too. You're in charge of your domain and can tweak its settings to point to any hosting company.
Imagine you bought your domain and hosting from Godaddy, but you want to switch hosting to Liquid Web. Just transfer your site's files and data, then update your domain settings to point to your new host.
Can I Change My Domain Name or Migrate My Website to a New Domain?
Once your domain is registered, you can't change it. If your business changes and your current domain doesn't fit anymore, you might want a new domain. In that case, buy a new one and link it to your site.
Moving your site to a new domain should be done thoughtfully so you don't lose hard-earned SEO and search traffic.
If you are planning to move your WordPress website to a new domain without losing SEO. It walks you through backing up, setting up redirects, informing Google about the new domain, and more.
We hope you've grasped the difference between domain names and hosting.
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