Domain name and web hosting are two important aspects of running a website. Most beginners confuse the two and many don’t even realise that they are separate things.
Although these two often come together, they entirely different things. In this post, we explain what hosting and domain are, how they work and how they’re different from each other.
What is a Domain Name?
Simply put, a domain name is a website’s address on the web. When you want to visit a website, you type in the domain name in your internet browser’s URL bar.
The web is essentially a huge network of interconnected computers. In order to make it easy to identify each computer, they are assigned a series of numbers known as IP Address. IP addresses are a long string of numbers separated by dots.
An IP address would look something like this:
195.248.0.1.1
Computers do not have any problem remembering and identifying these numbers. However, it’s difficult for humans to memorise and use these numbers to connect to websites online.
Domain names solve this problem.
A domain name is made of words, making it easy for users to remember a website address.
For example, torquaywebdesign.com.au
So instead of typing a string of numbers to access a website, you can lease a domain name that will route to the IP address of your website.
We have been working with, and recommending VentraIP for all your domain name needs, for a while now. Great service and support!
What is Web Hosting?
Web hosting is the location where the files making up your website are stored. It’s the home where your website rests.
If a domain name is the address of your house, the hosting server is the actual house. You will need a domain name as well as web hosting to set up your website.
When a user types your website address (or domain name) in their internet browser, the domain name is converted into the IP address of your web host’s servers. This server contains all the files and content of your website and it relays those files back to your user’s browser. That’s how people can see your website on the web.
Technically, it’s possible to build your own server, but it’s more cost-effective and efficient to buy web hosting from a hosting service.
A web hosting company owns several servers that they lease out for a fee.
The web hosting company we fully recommend, as we have worked with them for a while now, is VentraIP – WordPress hosting specialists, that offers great plans at affordable prices.
Wrapping Up
We hope this post clarified the differences between web hosting and domain name. Should you need more assistance or need help building your business website, contact the web design specialists at Torquay Web Design. Call us for a quote.
