The Difference Between Hosting and Domain
🏠 What Is a Domain Name?
A domain name is your website’s address on the internet—like yourbusiness.com
. It’s what users type into their browser to find your site.hostinger.com
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Example:
www.yourbusiness.com
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Purpose: Acts as a human-readable label for your website’s IP address.
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Ownership: Purchased and renewed annually through domain registrars.temok.com+13hostinger.com+1310web.io+13vodien.com
Think of it as the street address to your online presence. hostgator.com+2forbes.com+2wix.com+2
🗄️ What Is Web Hosting?
Web hosting is the service that stores your website’s files and makes them accessible on the internet.dorik.com+3beautifulthemes.com+3vodien.com+3
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Example: A server that holds your website’s content.
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Purpose: Delivers your website’s files to users’ browsers.
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Ownership: Rented or leased from hosting providers on a subscription basis.hostinger.comnibusinessinfo.co.uk+2vodien.com+2godaddy.com+2
It’s like the physical land where your house (website) is built. forbes.com+3godaddy.com+3hostinger.com+3
🔍 Key Differences at a Glance
Aspect | Domain Name | Web Hosting |
---|---|---|
Definition | Website’s address (e.g., yourbusiness.com ) |
Server space to store website files |
Function | Directs users to your website | Makes website content accessible online |
Ownership | Purchased and renewed annually | Rented on a monthly or yearly basis |
Customization | Limited to domain settings | Full control over website files and settings |
Cost | Annual fee | Recurring monthly or yearly fees |
🔗 How They Work Together
A domain name points to your website’s files stored on a hosting server. Without both, your website can’t be accessed online.
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Example: When someone types
www.yourbusiness.com
, the domain directs their browser to your hosting server, which then displays your website.
✅ Conclusion
Understanding the difference between a domain name and web hosting is crucial for building and maintaining a successful online presence.hostinger.com+4dorik.com+4nibusinessinfo.co.uk+4
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Domain Name: Your website’s address.
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Web Hosting: The server where your website’s files are stored.godaddy.com+3hostinger.com+3vodien.com+3vodien.com
Both are essential components that work together to make your website accessible to users worldwide.