What is the Difference Between Domain Name and Web Hosting (Explained in Detail)
We are often asked by our readers to explain in detail what is the difference between a domain name and a web hosting?
Many beginners do not know that these are two different things.
In this beginner’s guide, I will explain the difference between a domain name and a web hosting in detail.
So what is a Domain Name?
Domain name is nothing but the address of your website that people type in the browser’s URL bar to visit your website.
In other words, if your website is a place, then your domain name will be its address.
Now let’s dive into the detailed explanation.
Internet is basically a big giant network of computers connected to each other through some cables. To easily identify them, each of the computer is assigned a series of numbers and we call them as IP Address.
These IP addresses are combination of numbers separated with dots. Typically, IP addresses look like this:
66.259.64.1
Computers do not have any problem identifying and remembering these numbers. However, it is next to impossible for humans to remember and use these numbers to connect to websites on the internet.
To solve this kind of problem, domain names were invented.
A domain name have words which makes it easy to remember website address.
Now if you wanted to visit a website on the internet, you do not need to type numbers. Instead, you can type in an easy to remember words known as domain name, for example, letsplanout.in.
What is Web Hosting?
Web hosting is the place where all the files and data of your website live. It is nothing but the home of your website where it actually lives.
A best way to think about this is if the domain name is the address of your house, then web hosting is the actual house that address pointing to. All websites on the internet must need a web hosting.
When someone type in your domain name in a browser, the domain name is translated into the IP address of your web hosting company’s computer. This computer contains your website’s files, images, data, etc. and it sends those files back to the users’ browsers.
Web hosting companies are specialize in storing and serving multiple websites. Web hosting companies offer different types of hosting plans to their customers.
How Domain Names and Web Hosting are Related to Each Other?
Domain names and web hosting are two different services and they work together to make websites work.
Basically a domain name is like a massive address book that is constantly updated. Behind each domain name, there is an address of the web hosting service which is storing the website’s files.
Without domain name, it will impossible for people to find your website and without web hosting you cannot make a website.
This is why many top domain name providing companies also offer web hosting services.
What do I need, Domain Name or Web Hosting, to Build a Website?
To build a website you must need both a domain name and web hosting.
Buying a domain name only gives you right to use that particular domain name for a specific period.
You must need web hosting to store your website’s files and other data. Once you get hosting, you will need to update your domain name settings and point it to your web hosting service provider.
You can buy domain and hosting from the same company. Typically a domain name costs $10 to $15 / year, and web hosting normally costs $5 to $10 / month.
If you are starting your first website, then you will find it as a lot of money.
After purchasing hosting and registered your domain name, you can start building a website.
Do I have to buy Domain & Hosting together? Or separately?
One can buy domain name and web hosting from two different companies or one same company. In case if you buy them from two different companies then you will have to point your domain name to your web hosting company by editing its DNS settings.
On the other hand, if you buy your domain name and web hosting from the same company, then you will not have to change anything.
It is also much easier to renew plus manage both services under the same dashboard.
If you want to buy domain name, then you can do so from top providers like: Domain.com, NameCheap, Network Solutions, Godaddy.
Can I Move My Domain to a Different Company?
Yes, definitely you can. Normally when you register the domain name, you own the right to use it and transfer it wherever you want.
For example, let’s say you purchased your domain name from GoDaddy and bought your hosting from Bluehost. Now you want to move your domain name to same company which is Bluehost, so that it is easier to manage and renew.
You can do that easily. Both companies will have detailed step by step instructions that you can follow step by step to transfer your domain name.
Can I Move My Website to Some Other Web Hosting Company Without Changing Domain Name?
Yes, you can easily do it as well. You own the domain name and therefore you can change its settings to point it to any web hosting company.
For example, you purchased your domain name and hosting from Bluehost, and now you want to move your web hosting to NameCheap. So basically you can move your site from one host to another by simply transferring files and data. After that you need to edit some of your domain name settings and point them to your new web hosting provider.
I hope this article helped you learn the difference between a domain name and web hosting in detail.
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