Definitive Difference Between Domain Name And Web Hosting

The primary distinction between a domain name and web hosting is that a domain is an address that allows a visitor to easily discover your website online, whereas hosting is the location where the website contents are stored. A domain name and web hosting space are both required for a functioning website.

Because these aspects work in tandem, it’s critical to grasp the distinctions between them before developing a website.

This article will teach you all you need to know about a domain name and web hosting, including how they work and how they vary. Just calmly read through, and if any questions, please feel free to use the comment section below.

What Is A Domain Name?

A domain name is the address of your website that visitors type into their browser’s URL bar to visit.

To put it another way, if your website were a building, your domain name would be its address.

Let us now go on to a thorough explanation.

The Internet is essentially a massive network of computers linked together by wires. Each machine is issued a sequence of numbers known as IP Addresses in order to be easily identified.

This IP address is a string of digits separated by dots. IP addresses are typically formatted as follows:

41.58.236.212

These numbers are easily recognized and remembered by computers. Humans, on the other hand, cannot recall and utilize these numbers to connect to websites on the internet. The format of the numbers also varies from country to country and device to device.

Domain names were created to address this issue.

A domain name can contain words, making website URLs easier to remember.

You no longer need to type a string of numbers if you want to visit a website on the internet. Instead, provide an easy-to-remember domain name, such as expomaster.com.ng

Different Types of Domain Names and Pricing

Domain extensions, also known as top-level domains (TLDs), are the final portion of a domain name.

TLDs, as the name implies, are at the top of the internet’s DNS (Domain Name System) hierarchy. The IANA (Internet Assigned Numbers Authority) maintains and also frequently updates hundreds of TLDs available on the internet.

TLDs are classified by IANA into four major categories based on their purpose and location, which are as follows:

1. gTLDs (Generic Top-Level Domains).

The most often utilized domain name since it may be used for any website. This contains well-known domain extensions such as; .com, .org, and .net. as well as other unusual names like; .xyz,.biz, and .tech

2. sTLDs (Sponsored Top-Level Domains).

These domains are only available to specific organizations and groups. .gov is commonly used for government websites, .edu for educational organizations, and .post for postal services.

3. ccTLDs (Country Code Top-Level Domains).

It refers to a certain area of the country or region using ISO codes. For example, .us is for the United States, .in is for India, .es is for Spain, .id is for Indonesia, .gh is for Ghana, and .co.uk is for the United Kingdom.

4. Infrastructure is the highest-level domain.

It only has one domain name, which is .arpa, which stands for the ARPA (Address and Routing Parameter Area). This domain name is largely reserved for resolving difficulties with internet infrastructure. The TLD should ideally symbolize the purpose of your site.

A .club domain, for example, should be used for club websites, .org for organizations, .com for commercial websites, .io for crypto/finance-related websites, and so on. If you want to register a domain name, knowing all of your possibilities might help you pick the appropriate extension.

What Is Web Hosting?

You can publish your website on the internet using web hosting services. If you purchase a hosting service from a provider, you will have access to a portion of their web servers to store the files and as well as data for your website.

When someone puts in your website’s domain name, it is up to your web hosting company to provide its content to the visitor.

Web hosts also give user-friendly tools for all users, allowing you to administer your website with little to no technical knowledge. A hosting service may also provide customer assistance, server maintenance, and website builders to assist users in creating and maintaining their websites.

A web host not only stores website data but also secure the server and your website files against dangerous attacks.

Some web hosting companies, such as GoDaddy and Hostinger, also offer domain registration to assist you in creating a website more quickly and efficiently.

That being said, it is critical to conduct extensive research before selecting a hosting business. There are several aspects to consider, including:

1. User-friendliness

Every web host has a control panel through which you can manage your web hosting account. Check that the dashboard provided is simple to use and offers a wide range of features.

2. Server uptime and speed

Choose a web hosting firm that guarantees quick loading speeds and a high uptime guarantee so that your site has as little downtime as possible.

3. Plans and pricing

Before you buy a hosting plan, think about the add-ons and renewal fees that will match your budget in the long run.

4. Customer Support.

Choose a hosting business with a dependable support team to provide you with rapid assistance if you have a technical problem.

Different Types of Web Hosting and Pricing

Various hosting providers such as GoDaddy, SiteGround, NameCheap, DomainKing, and Hostinger provide a variety of hosting options that are appropriate for everyone who wants to construct a website, whether it is a personal blog or an eCommerce site. Here’s a basic rundown:

1. Shared Hosting

Shared hosting, which ranges from $1.99 to $15.99 per month, is where multiple websites share the same physical server and have a set amount of storage and resources. It is the most cost-effective option and is ideal for small enterprises or personal websites.

2. Virtual Private Server hosting (VPS)

A physical server is virtually divided into numerous partitions, providing users with a private environment and dedicated resources. This hosting option is ideal for medium-to-high-traffic websites.

VPS hosting options range in price from $3.49 to $77.99 per month.

3. Cloud Hosting.

The website is hosted on a cluster of several servers. When one server fails, another swiftly steps in to keep your site up and running. Cloud hosting is an excellent choice for sites that require high availability, such as eCommerce stores. Prices start at $9.99 per month and go up to $29.99 per month.

4. WordPress Hosting.

It offers an optimum environment, performance, and security for WordPress site hosting. This hosting package includes WordPress-specific functionality and customization choices to help you maintain and expand your site. WordPress hosting options range in price from $1.99 to $11.59 per month.

5. Email Hosting

You can use a web hosting service to establish bespoke email addresses based on your domain name (for example, lawrence@expomaster.com.ng).

A Domain name and web hosting ain’t the same thing. They do, however, collaborate to make websites possible.

A domain name system is essentially a big address book that is regularly updated. Each domain name contains the URL of the web hosting service that stores the website’s files.

People cannot find your website without domain names, and you cannot develop a website without web hosting.

As a result, several of the biggest domain name registrars also provide web hosting services.

Frequently Asked Questions About Domain Name and Web Hosting

What exactly are a domain and hosting?

While they are related, web hosting and domain hosting are not the same things. Web hosts, like websites, store content on internet servers. Domain hosts give domain names, which are the addresses that allow website visitors to access the content. This guide differentiates between the two types of hosting.

Why is hosting required?

A hosting service provides the server space where your website “lives.” Just as you need a location to store all of your website’s vital files and data if you reside in an apartment or house. Web hosting is similar to providing a home for your website.

Can I Transfer My Website to a Different Web Hosting Company Without Changing the Domain Name?

Yes, you can do that, too. You own the domain name and can point it to any web hosting company you like.

Can I change My domain name later?

No, you can’t change your domain name. Once purchased, it can’t be changed. However, you can buy another preferred domain name and transfer every single file from the previous website to the new one with your chosen domain name.