What is the difference between a domain name and web hosting is one of the highly asked common questions from beginners.
Domain and web hosting is a must know basic term for the website creators and online marketers.
Whenever you have been starting a website, you always heard that choosing the perfect web hosting and Domain name is highly suggested by everyone.
So first, you need clarity between domain and hosting. We have given complete domain vs hosting knowledge.
This article explains domain definition, web hosting definition, website URL, web address, and basic things every beginner should know about hosting.
Table of Contents
What is a domain name?
Domain name is the name of a website. Domain is the identity of every website.
In other words, the thing that comes after www. in the web address is the domain name. If anyone asks your website name, the domain name is the thing you should give.
Domain names created for humans to easily remember the website names. A domain name is easy to share and identify individual websites.
Example for a domain name
- On my website, foxblogging.com is the domain name.
- For Facebook, facebook.com is the domain name
- For Google, google.com is the domain name.
Every domain name comes with domain extensions.
What are domain extensions?
Domain extensions are the extensions, that come at the end of every domain name.
For example – On my domain foxblogging.com, .com is the domain extension.
Here .com is the domain name extension, like this, every domain name will have its own domain extensions.
There are many domain name extensions available. But only a few domain name extensions are considered as Top Level Domain (TLD).
Top-Level Domain extensions
Here is a list of some famous Top Level domain names.
- .com
- .org
- .gov
- .edu
- .net
- .biz
- .io
These are some top-level domain names, you can choose the domain extensions based on your needs. Some domain name extensions have their own purpose, so select them carefully.
What is a web address?
Your URL is the web address of your website. The domain name with www. is the web address.
Searching the web address on the browser will directly take you to the website. Each website has its own web address.
What is a website?
A Website is a collection of web pages, that come under one domain name. The list of web pages you have created under a domain name is called websites.
With one root domain name, you can create one website.
Website is the place where everyone will visit your pages. It contains all the information you need to show to your visitors.
A live website is a bridge between you and the visitors. The webpages are created with web languages like Html, CSS, and javascript. It helps the search engines and web browsers to identify it.
For human visitors, your webpages will be shown in a readable format.
For example: Currently, you are reading content from the web page on a website. This article is one web page from my website.
Buying a domain doesn’t mean you have a website. After buying a domain name, you have to create a website by getting web hosting.
The web pages of the websites are stored in web hosting.
What is web hosting?
Web hosting is the process of storing and maintaining your website. Web hosting is the place where are all your website files are stored.
Hosting is a storage area to store the files. These files are stored in the hosting server.
The server is physical storage, which is like your computer’s hard disk. But the server is big enough to store more files.
The hosting servers are connected to thousands of computers and they are live. These servers are always live so that you can access your website with the internet from anywhere in the World.
Bluehost is one of the most famous web hosting service providers. It gives you a free domain name when you buy their hosting.
How Can I host my website?
Hosting your website is highly easy. Either you can buy and set up your own servers, which involves more technical skills. Or else, you get the rent the servers from web hosting companies.
Choosing web hosting companies is the best option. There are many trusted web hosting companies available and they are providing great hosting services.
You can buy hosting plans, based on your needs. On cheap hosting companies, you get web hosting for less than $1 per month.
Just simply visit the hosting companies and choose the plan for your websites. Every hosting company will have different types of hosting services.
So choose the hosting type, that suits your website. The hosting company where your website hosted is also named as host or hosting provider.
How to create a website?
- To create a website, you need to buy a domain. So buy a domain from any domain registrars.
- Then buy web hosting for creating a website. After buying the hosting, direct your domain to the website.
- Then start building your website. You can create an unlimited number of web pages under each domain name.
Here is a step-by-step process of creating a WordPress website.
What are domain registrars?
Domain registrars are the company, where you are buying the domain name. There are many reputed domain registrars available.
Some famous domain name registrars are Bluehost, Godaddy, and Hostinger.
Difference between Domain Name and Web hosting explained
We have seen all the important terms used in buying and using a website. Now here is a clear difference between a domain name and web hosting.
Domain Name
Domain name is the name of your website, through which everyone can find your website.
Web Hosting definition
Web Hosting is the place where you have been storing all your website files. So for creating a website, you need both domain name and web hosting.
Web hosting helps you to keep your website live every time and easily accessible to everyone.
Should I buy a domain name and web hosting from the same company?
Yes, you easily buy a domain name and web hosting from the same company. Most of the famous hosting providers have domain registration services. Some companies also giving a free domain name to their users.
So if you want to save the domain buying cost, then you get the hosting from free domain providers.
If you are maintaining many domain names, then have, one separate domain registrars. It is easy to maintain all your domain names under a single area.
You can also transfer your domain name to any other domain registrars, whenever needed.
Conclusion
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I hope it helps you to learn the difference between domain and web hosting. If you have any doubts and suggestions, then comment below.
