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The terms “web hosting” and “domain hosting,” although used interchangeably, are two different services closely related to each other. Both use different approaches to getting a website online.
On one hand, a web host allows you to build and store content for a website on the internet on its servers. On the other hand, the web domain host will enable you to use the domain names to help visitors access the web content. Both hosting and domain names are essential for any website, and you must learn the basics of these before you create a website.
Difference between Web Hosting and Domain Hosting
You can even use both hosting approaches together for hosting a website. The below article will explain what is web hosting, domain names, and domain hosting, how they work, and the difference between web hosting and domain names.
What is Web Hosting?
Web hosting is a location where you can store website-related files, documents, and media. You can consider the host as a home for the website where it resides on the internet.
All the data is stored on the server, and this data is available to users who access the website. Web hosting provides resources and services, like servers, bandwidth, and storage, for your website. A web host allows you to manage your website with fewer tools.
With a web host provider, you do not have to worry about managing the backend of your website. However, you must make a smart choice while choosing the right web host provider. A perfect web host will give you the freedom to focus on creating your website with more innovation without being distracted by technical work.
Features of a Web Host Provider
- Bandwidth: It specifies the amount of traffic received by your website and the number of pages visited. Make sure your web hosting plan covers the maximum bandwidth needed for your website. Doing so will help you manage thousands of customers at the same time without crashing the website.
- Data Storage: Data is dynamic when it comes to website content. It tends to increase with time. Make sure you have sufficient storage included in your web hosting plan. Always try to opt for additional space so that you can accommodate your changing business data over time.
- Uptime Specifies the time for which the server is up and running. Ensure your web host provides the same uptime as they have mentioned in their plan or offer. It is important since when the server goes down, and if you have poor uptime, then your customers will face hours of website outrage.
- Make sure your web host provider allows you to create a domain-associated email address within its plan without additional cost.
- FTP: It allows you to upload files directly from your computer to the server. You, as a web hosting provider, might not need this function, but some end-users will require it.
- Make sure you get a hosting provider that offers swift tech support to maintain and handle your website issues. It will save you from handling issues if you are not into technical work.
Add-ons by a Web Host Provider
Web hosting is not limited to just storing your website content. It will solve many of your website-related problems, like security, storage, tools, and support. Below are some value-added features that come with a web hosting provider:
Some web hosting companies allow you to buy and manage your domain name through them. It may or may not charge you extra for this service. However, having domain hosting from the same provider may or may not be a good practice.
- Website Builder: Provides a variety of tools to assist you in creating your website.
- Email Hosting: You can set up an email account with a web hosting to send and receive notifications from and to the customers for the latest website updates.
- System Support – Provides assistance with necessary hardware (server configuration) and software (CMS, server operating system).
What is a Domain Name for a Website?
Before we move forward to domain hosting, we must understand the domain name and its use. A domain name specifies the address of your website to be searched on the internet by users to access your website.
You can say the domain name is the URL for your website provided in the browser in the proper form. The domain name has two parts separated by a dot. The first part specifies the brand name for your website, while the second part specifies the domain extension.
While creating and registering the domain name, make sure you have a unique domain name for your website. This makes it easier for users to access and remember your website.
What is a Domain Hosting?
Like web hosting, domain hosting is also a service that provides a website’s domain name. It allows you to sell and register companies for varying prices depending on the plan you choose.
The domain directs the visitor to your website just like an address. You will also get a static IP address for the domain that will provide the location for your website. You will have different domain categories, such as top-level, generic-level, and second-level.
Domain hosts store your domain names and allow their registration. If you are using a third party for registering your domain, it will be your domain host.
How do You Register a Domain Name?
The process of registering a domain name is easy these days. Below is the entire process, step-by-step:
- Consider a unique name that reflects your brand.
- Be ready with various domain name alternatives in case your main pick is already taken.
- Use various online tools to check the uniqueness of your chosen domain name.
- After a successful search, you can continue by registering your domain name.
- Various domain name registration platforms will charge you differently as per your chosen plan.
- After this, the registration work is completed.
- Finally, you need to redirect or link the registered domain name to your web hosting to create a link to access your website.
Domain Hosting versus Web Hosting Summary
Web Hosting |
Domain Hosting |
| Provides space to host your site, content, images, etc. | Provides address (domain name) that people can use to find you (www.google.com) |
| It is your storehouse that hosts your data | It is an address-forwarding service |
| Web hosting providers can be changed | A domain name cannot be changed |
Advantages of Keeping Domain and Web Hosting Separate
It is not always good to buy a domain hosting and web hosting from the same provider. Some reasons why it is not recommended by some experts:
- If you keep both your domain and web hosting, you can keep your website safe and secure from being attacked by hackers. However, if hackers get into your domain, they can easily access all your files hosted on the server. Consequently, it will be easier for hackers to crash your website or move it to another domain.
- If your domain name provider and web hosting provider are the same, your domain may be put on hold after your web hosting service expires. You will lose the domain if you do not get the opportunity to switch your host before that happens.
- If your hosting provider fails, at least you have your domain name, and you can host it anywhere on another host. You should choose a third party to register your domain.
Disadvantages of Keeping Domain and Web Hosting Separate
These are the issues too that you need to keep in mind while separately managing domain hosting and web hosting:
- You may miss out on short-term special offers and discounts.
- It may not be convenient if you are a single company.
- You have to shuffle and troubleshoot among different companies.
- You will have to follow extra configuration steps.
Conclusion
Though both domain hosting and web hosting are required for any website seeking to establish an online presence, they work in very different ways. Most web host providers offer domain hosting facilities, but it is up to you to decide whether to use the domain hosting from the same provider as the web hosting.
If you are a large organization with a lot of critical data, then you have to make a smart choice. It is recommended not to buy both hosting plans from the same provider for the long term. Yes, this means you can start out with it but change it at some point later.
The above article describes how web hosting and domain hosting work together and separately. After you understand its advantages and disadvantages, you can make up your mind and make the right choice. All the best!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Should I buy a domain and hosting from the same website?
It is not necessary to buy both from the same vendor
2. Why do I need web hosting?
A website hosting plan is a requirement if you want your website to be live online, or in other words, if you want people other than you to be able to see it.
3. Is Google a web host?
Providing cloud hosting for developers and small businesses, Google Cloud Platform includes Google’s web hosting service.
4. What are the types of web hosting?
Web hosting can be classified into four types:
- Hosting that is shared.
- Hosting for VPSs (virtual private servers).
- Hosting on a dedicated server.
- A cloud hosting service.
5. Who is the best web hosting company?
Go daddy and Hostinger are the best websites for hosting
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