Domain Names Vs. Web Hosting

Differences Between Domain Names & Web Hosting

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1 Differences Between Domain Names & Web Hosting

Domain Names & Web Hosting are perhaps two of the important terms any website owner should be familiar with. In fact, you can’t separate the two as both are equally crucial elements in website building. Being confused between domain names and web hosting is like being confused with bricks and mortar. Many small businesses might not know the difference between these two so investing in small business website design might be your best option.

Bricks and mortar make up the entire structural components of a wall and the former cannot simply be chosen to use over the latter. As stated earlier, domain names and web hosting are two essential elements in creating a website

What Are Domain Names?

Domain names and web addresses are often confused for the same thing, and depending on how you look at it, they are – except for one crucial thing. A domain name is the name of your website, although it’s not yet visible on the internet. Domain names are not yet considered to be web addresses, or more formally known as a URL (Uniform Resource Locator), that actually leads users to your website.

A domain name on its own and its corresponding website does not yet exist in the World Wide Web (WWW).In short, web addresses are domain names but domain names aren’t web address – yet. Confusing right? So how does a domain name become a fully functional web address that anyone can access? When it comes to creating a website, registering a domain is not yet the final process. This is where web hosting comes along.

What Is Web Hosting?

Even after registering a domain name, the domain name and its website content is still not yet available in the Internet for any internet user to access. You need a web hosting company to do that for you. Web hosting companies lease out server space, bandwidth, and internet connection at their data centers to website owners and allow their content to be visible in the World Wide Web.

Think of having a t-shirt brand. You’ve registered your brand and logo as your own intellectual property, although it’s not yet available to the market for any prospecting buyers. In order for people to buy your shirts, you need to rent a property where you can establish your shop. Only then can you start selling. That’s basically what web hosting is in the world of cyberspace.

If you’re still confused think of a domain and web hosting as part of the process in website creation. First, you build your website. Second, craft and register your domain name. Third, register your website and domain name at your selected web hosting company. See how simple that was?

Below is a short unordered list of popular domain name registrars and web hosting companies. If you notice repeated names on both lists such as GoDaddy and HostGator, then that’s because some domain name registrars also providing web hosting services. This makes it more convenient to any website owner wanting a more streamlined process.