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Web hosting vs domain explained
The difference between a domain and hosting is that a domain name is an address that is used by internet users to reach your website. On the other hand, web hosting is the place where are all the content of your website is stored.
What is a domain name?
The name of a website is also known as a domain name. In simple words, it is an address that is used by users to access the website. You might know that the computers use IP addresses to access a website. However, it is not easy for people to remember the IP address of different devices, so that’s why domain names were developed. We can access different websites with their domain names even if we don’t know their IP addresses.
A domain name can be a combination of letters or numbers with it. And have some extensions like .com .net and many more. The price of a domain name differs from seller to seller, however it is usually between $8-25 per year. Moreover, a premium domain name can cost even more.
A premium domain name can be a popular keyword or a brand name. These domains are bought after bidding and the highest bidder gets the domain. Different sellers offer promotions on the purchase of the domain name and if you’re lucky, you can get a special discounted price.
We often see that many domains have their personalized emails as well, these emails are created and provided by the domain provider for some extra charges. If you are planning to grow your business as a brand and promote it to bigger stages then having a professional email is suggested.
What is web hosting?
Hosting refers to a service that allows users and people to make and publish websites and web pages on the internet. All the services which are required to publish a web page on the internet are provided over the hosting. Servers are the computers that store and host these websites. And when any internet users want to access that website, all they need is to type the website name or domain name in the URL box. The server makes a connection with your computer and gives you the desired results by the browser.
Having a web hosting is important but what is the cost of it? A lot of people fear that a website hosting will cost them a lot but this isn’t true. You can purchase a web hosting for a reasonable price if you’re just starting a new website. You can move your website to a better and expensive hosting plan when it is getting enough traffic.
Different web hosting providers offer different packages for their hosting services and you should choose a package that suits you the best. If you’re planning to work on a number of sites then you should choose a package that allows hosting numerous websites rather than a single one. It might cost you a little extra but it is better than spending money on changing your hosting plan whenever you need to host another website.
Most of the people start with a hosting plan that charges for a year because this time period is best to work and rank their website. If you’re on a tight budget then you can also buy the hosting for a few months and extend it later.
Domain host vs web host: Are they the same?
We often see people comparing domain vs hosting. So, are they same or not? No. they are not same. A domain name only represents the name or identity of your website while a hosting is used to keep all of the data of your website. These two are connected together to build a website but there services are totally different.
The main reason of confusion in it; are the names and also the service provider. Because these both services (web hosting and domain registration) are provided from the same place.
Conventional DR (domain registration) nowadays, only offers to host websites. And, most web hosting organizations also have the facility for registering a domain name for users. And some hosting providers are providing domain names for free-of-cost, to get new customers.
If you are looking to get a domain name from a free provider, it is important to know that you might not get a TLD (.com, .gov, .edu, etc.) A TLD or Top-Level Domain is the highest level of hierarchal Domain Name System of internet. Most of the SEO experts suggest using a TLD and you shouldn’t be falling to buy a .website or other domain for free.
If I buy a domain name do I need hosting?
Web hosting is very important to make your website available for the people around the world. A domain name without hosting is of no use. You will not be able to set up the website if you only have a domain name. So, it is very important that you purchase a website hosting to install your domain name onto it. You’ll get to know more about their importance in the below comparison of domain vs hosting.
People usually think that a domain name is enough for them to start a website but it isn’t true. You’ll always need a hosting to make your website available to your customers or readers. Most of the domain name providers also offer some great tools known as website creators to make website creation easier for you. These tools make the website creation as simple as dragging and dropping. So, you can easily create your own website without asking for anyone’s help.
Domain hosting vs web hosting differences
Web hosting offers a physical space to display all of the items or content of your website. These items include images, text, videos and other content that build up a website. There are different web hosting providers like GreenGeeks and HostGator that provide the web hosting services. They provide you with a place on the internet to add your website’s content, moreover the tools that are necessary for managing and creating that content. These websites are stored in the servers of your website providers.
On the other hand, domain hosting offers the domain name. This domain name is used by internet users to reach your website. It can be anything like www.domainname.com. A domain name is more like an address that is used by people for reaching you. A domain hosting provider stores domain names and facilitates the procedure of domain registration. They don’t provide the hosting services. So, now you’ll have a good idea of the hosting vs domain difference.
Web hosting vs domain registration
Do you know the difference between web hosting vs domain? Domain name registration is registering your website’s name with a provider. When you register a domain name, an IP address is provided to the domain by the provider. Moreover, a domain name can only be bought by one person at a time. While a web hosting can be used to host different domain names depending on the package you select. Different web hosting packages are offered by different providers, and you can select a one that suits you the best.
Is it important to buy a good domain name and hosting plan?
The domain name of your website is used by people to reach you and it should be unique. But uniqueness of a domain name isn’t enough, you should also look for a domain name that represents your business or work.
A lot of people think that a good domain name helps you rank higher for the search results or helps in SEO, it isn’t true. Yes, including a keyword can give a little advantage but it doesn’t help a lot. There are many other factors that can help you rank higher but a unique domain name is not one of them.
A good hosting can affect the loading speed of your website and it is important that your website loads quickly. Loading time of a website is one of the important factors when it comes to the SEO. Moreover, you might end up wasting your money and efforts if you buy the hosting services from any seller. Only a reliable seller can guarantee you great uptime and ensure that your website stays live all the time. Because if your website fails to be live all the time then you might lose a client and that’s not good for any business.
Should I get the domain and hosting from the same place?
After reading the difference between domain and hosting, you surely know the importance of both. A lot of people think that it is better to get both the domain and hosting from the same place. But there are not any particular reasons to do that. You can get domain and hosting from the same place if you find a good deal. Otherwise, you can get both of them separately as well.
It will be easier to install the domain on hosting if you get both from the same place as compared to install the domain on a different web hosting provider. But if you feel more comfortable buying it from different sellers, that’s fine too. You can easily find a lot of guides that can help you install your domain on another seller’s hosting. Moreover, many hosting/domain services providers also provide you all the guidance you’ll need to host your domain on any hosting plan.
However, beginners prefer buying a domain and hosting plan from the same provider to save themselves from the trouble. Many companies that work on numerous websites and generate a lot of traffic per day uses dedicated servers that help them host big websites and manage their traffic more efficiently. But as a beginner, the only things you need is a domain, hosting and a little guidance related to working on your website.
Where do I get a domain or hosting?
If you are considering buying domain and hosting, then we have some recommendations for you. If you’re looking to buy the domain and hosting from the same provider, you can visit GreenGeeks or HostGator as they have the best deals for the customers.
But if you’ve planned to get both the things from separate providers, you can visit NameCheap, HostGator or GreenGeeks. You can also check hosting vs domain packages differences before you buy a package. You can use the promo code, “startblog” on the HostGator to get a free domain name with the hosting for a special price. You can also visit Start Blogging Online for more details about this coupon code. Moreover, we also have special coupon codes for the GreenGeeks as well.
Why GreenGeeks?
- Scalable hosting solutions including dedicated server packages, VPS, shared, and WordPress
- 30-day money-back guarantee if you don’t like the services
- Help center to solve all your issues
- An extensive range of client support channels
- Guaranteed uptime of up to 99.9%
- Free nightly backups
- Free domain name to start your website
- Free migration
- Eco-friendly web hosting solutions
- Free website builder
Why NameCheap?
- FREE Domain and Migration
- 30-day Money-Back Guarantee
- Fully-Loaded Value Plan
- Third-Party Reviews Are Excellent
Why HostGator?
- Stable Uptime (99.98%)
- Good Support
- 45-Day Money Back Guarantee
- Free Migration
- Uptime Guarantee
FAQ
How to find a domain name?
You can visit the domain name registrars to look for the domain name of your choice.
What things to look for in a domain name?
It would be best if you looked for a domain name that reflects your brand or business.
Can I make a website without a hosting plan?
It is best to buy a hosting plan because free hosting doesn’t offer all the necessary features.
Is every domain name unique?
Yes, every domain name is unique, and two domains will never have the same name.
What is the difference between domain vs website?
The domain is the name of the website while hosting is used to store the website’s content.
How to get a .com domain?
You can get a .com domain by searching on any domain registrar’s website. These domains are offered by every domain registrar.
Do I need to get a .com domain?
Although, these domains are the most common, you can look for other domains as well. You can get an .org if you’re running an organization or a .edu if you run an education department.
How to buy domain names?
Domains can be easily bought by searching them on a domain registrar’s website. Once you’ve found the perfect domain, you can choose a payment method and purchase it.
Do I need to buy multiple domains?
Well, it is not necessary to buy multiple domains because one domain is enough to make a website. But you can buy other similar domains and redirect them to your main website. This helps if someone types incorrect spellings of your domain name.
Should I use a domain name generator?
If you have a brand name then you should only buy the brand’s name domain. But if you only have a keyword then it is better to explore options with the help of a domain name generator.
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