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Domain Hosting vs. Web Hosting: What’s the Difference?
Disclosure: We’re reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. For more information, see our Disclosure page. Thanks.
When building a website, you’ll encounter terms like “domain hosting” and “web hosting.” Though they sound similar, they refer to different services. Here’s a breakdown of each term and how they differ:
1. Domain Hosting (Domain Registration)
- What It Is: Domain hosting, or domain registration, refers to the service that allows you to register and own a domain name (like www.yourwebsite.com). The domain name is essentially your website’s address on the internet.
- Function: This service ensures that your website’s address (the domain) is linked to your content. It also manages the Domain Name System (DNS) settings, allowing the domain to point to the correct server.
- Providers: Companies like GoDaddy, Namecheap, and Google Domains provide domain registration services.
- Duration: Domains are typically rented on an annual basis, and you must renew them to maintain ownership.
2. Web Hosting
- What It Is: Web hosting is a service that provides the infrastructure to store your website’s files and data (like HTML, CSS, images, videos, databases). It makes your website accessible on the internet.
- Function: Hosting allows you to “host” your website’s content on a server. Without web hosting, even if you own a domain, there’s nowhere to store your website’s content, making it impossible for users to access it.
- Providers: Companies like Bluehost, HostGator, and SiteGround offer web hosting services.
- Types of Hosting: There are various types of web hosting, including shared hosting, VPS (Virtual Private Server), and dedicated hosting, each offering different levels of resources, performance, and control.
Key Differences:
| Aspect | Domain Hosting | Web Hosting |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Purpose | To register and manage a domain name. | To store website files and make the site accessible online. |
| Example | yourwebsite.com, mybusiness.org | The files and data that are served when someone visits yourwebsite.com |
| Service Provided | Domain name registration and DNS management. | Server space, data storage, bandwidth for running the website. |
| Required for Website | Yes, but only as part of the overall setup. | Yes, your website needs hosting to be live on the web. |
| How It Works | It ensures people can find your website using its domain name. | It makes sure your website’s content is available to visitors when they access the domain. |
Why Do You Need Both?
- Domain Hosting: Without a domain name, people won’t be able to find your website easily. It’s like buying a piece of land but not building anything on it.
- Web Hosting: Without hosting, even with a domain, your website has no content to display. It’s like owning a phone number but having no phone to receive calls.
In short, domain hosting lets you register and manage your website’s address, while web hosting ensures that the content of your site is available online. Both services are essential to getting a website up and running.
