New online business owners are not aware of the difference between domain name registration and web hosting.
We get this asked a lot by internet entrepreneurs who are planning to launch their e-commerce websites.
The reason for confusion between web hosting and domain name registration mainly stems from the fact that leading web hosting companies also offer domain name registering services to new website owners. This often leads the website owner to believe that domain name registration and web hosting are a combined, or even a single service.
There are several different aspects of a successful and completely operational website. Domain name and web hosting are two of the important aspects. Both of these are essential for an efficient website or blog to be launched. In addition, domain name registration and web hosting work in coordination and both are needed for any website.
However, domain name registering and web hosting are two different functions altogether.
In short and simple way, Domain name is the Home Address whereas Web hosting is a house or home.
First, let’s understand what domain name registration and web hosting are.
So, before wasting time, let’s start it..
Definition of Domain Name Registration
Domain name is the virtual address of your website on the worldwide web. Every website needs to have a domain name so users can find and access it.
Domain name registration means leasing out your website’s name with a domain registrar approved by the ICANN (Internet Corporation for Names and Numbers). A domain name can be almost anything. It is basically a string of characters that distinguish your website from the billion other websites that are currently online.
Details of Domain Names
Domain names were invented solely for users to remember the website addresses. The name of the website you enter in the browser’s address bar – e.g. www.wparena.com – has the website’s host server’s IP address attached with it. The main domain name is followed with a domain extension – usually “.com” however, there are other popular domain extensions to choose from including localized domain extensions that identify with a particular country.
Conventionally, every computer connected to the internet is assigned a unique IP (Internet Protocol) address. This IP address is made of 6 or more numerals that are separated by at least three dots. Although the server computer has no problem in identifying the computer from which the request for the website has come, it is tedious for us, as humans, to remember websites using this numeral system. Hence, domain names were introduced so users can simply type in the domain name, instead of the complicated IP address to access any website.
To put it in simple words, think of your website as a physical store and the domain name will be your store name.
Definition of Web Hosting
Web hosting allows the website to store its files online, usually by allocating specified amount of virtual storage space on a server computer.
Web hosting, in essence, is carried out by the numerous web hosting company that provide all the services required to launch and maintain a website on the internet.
Difference Between Domain Name Registration and Web Hosting
To make it simple for you understand the difference between domain name registration and web hosting, take a look at the highlighting differences between the two website services:
Domain Name Registration provides you with:
Unique domain name – The domain name of your choice (if available within the ICANN database) is entirely unique. There may be similar-sounding domain names however there will always be a difference in the way they are spelt or have a different domain extension if they are spelled the same.
Permanent virtual address – Domain names and IP addresses are yours permanently, for at least the time period specified in your registration contract by the domain name registrar. If you wish to retain your website’s name you only need to renew your domain name’s registration before ti reaches its expiry date.
- Web Hosting provides you with:
Email accounts – Leading web hosting company will always provide you with several email accounts registered with your domain name as the extension. These will be connected with your account and are extremely useful for official and promotional purposes.
FTP access – FTP, short for File Transfer Protocol, allows website owners to upload content and update their websites on the host server.
- Relation between Domain Names Registration and Web Hosting Services
As mentioned earlier, domain name registration and web hosting services are different but essential for a completely functioning website.
Every day, tens of thousands of new and completely unique domain names are registered with the domain registrars all over the world. Each of these websites need to have web hosting service to store the webpage files so users.
Hence, every registered domain name needs to have a web hosting service to back it in order to create operational websites. Thus, although domain name registration and web hosting are two completely different services, they work in-sync for live websites.
FAQs about Domain Names Registration and Web Hosting Services
- How do Domain Names and Web Hosting work?
To get started on building your website, a domain name and web hosting service are required. When you register your domain name with an ICAAN-approved domain registrar, you are practically renting out the domain name for a specified period of time, usually 12 months.
Next, you will need a host server space to store all the files that are needed to access your website. A web hosting company will be able to help you choose the best web hosting plan, according to your individual needs.
Once you have bought storage on the host server computer, your domain name settings need to be updated so they direct users to the relevant host server.
The next step involves actually designing and developing your website.
- Should Domain Name Registration and Web Hosting Services be from the same company?
Experts advise to keep the vendors for web hosting and domain name registering separate. It is advisable to register your domain name with a third party and choose a different vendor as your web hosting service provider.
This is to minimize the risk of losing your domain name (which is virtually your website’s identity for users) in case anything should go wrong with the web hosting service provider.
When you register domain name with another company and choose a different company as your web host server then you will only need to edit the DNS settings to direct your domain name towards the correct host server.
- What if my Domain Name Registration and Web Hosting services are provided by the same company?
In case you have already registered your domain name and leased web hosting space from the same company and wish to transfer your domain name registration to another registrar then you can do this easily.
Every domain name registering website has a complete and detailed set of instructions. These instructions guide you through the process to migrate your domain name from your current registrar to any other domain name registrar of your choice.
NOTE: it is highly recommended to wait at least 45 days from the date or renewal or purchase of domain name to request migration. By regulation, ICANN requires website owners to renew their domain name for at least 12 months every time domain names are migrated. Waiting for 45 days before requesting domain name registration migration to another registrar ensures you do not lose the current year’s renewal fee.
- Do I need to change Doman Name if I choose to change my Web Host service provider?
No, there is absolutely no need to change your domain name if you wish to change your web hosting service provider.
After you have purchased a web hosting plan from the new web hosting company, you will need to transfer your website data files to the new server storage.
You can then simply edit the setting of your domain name to point towards the new host server. This works even when transferring hosting to services with different domain extensions, wherein you will not need to change your domain name but only edit your domain name settings to direct user requests towards the new web host.
