Not sure what the difference is between web hosting and domain names? Don’t worry, it’s common to mix them up—but we won’t let that stop you from creating a website for your business with confidence.

Beyond the differences between a domain name and web hosting, there are also different types of each. Once you get familiar with those, you’ll know what you need and how you might want to bundle these services together.

Web Hosting vs. Domain Names

A domain name is your website’s permanent address on the internet. It’s how people find your site. The web host is a service provider with many online servers, and it rents out internet storage space on these servers for websites. This is where the files and content for your website are stored, which allows your website to function.

You can think of domain names and web hosting in terms of a house. The web host is the home’s foundation that everything is built on, and the domain name is the address where the house is located. Consider them the building blocks of your digital real estate.

FAQs about Web Hosting

  • What is web hosting? Essentially, it is online storage space for your live website’s files.
  • How does web hosting work? Web hosts will store your website’s data on their servers for a fee. Whenever someone accesses your website, their browser retrieves the code, images, and copy that make up your site from the web host.
  • Do web hosts also offer domain names? Some do, some don’t. Many of the best web hosts offer domain names in their packages, which can simplify the process of setting up your website.

The Different Types of Web Hosting

The server space you receive from your web hosting provider varies based on your hosting plan. Each plan is distinct in terms of server technology, additional services included, and the extent of support provided.

There are five main web hosting options that you should know.

Shared Hosting

Shared hosting is simple and easy to use. As the name suggests, you share server space and resources with multiple websites. Since you share the server with others, you have minimal control over it, and your website can slow down at times due to overload.

However, the performance is still great most of the time, making it very appealing when combined with the plan’s affordability. We highly recommend shared hosting options for small businesses and blogs just starting out.

Dedicated Hosting

Dedicated hosting gives you complete administrative control of your server. You can install any software you want and consistently enjoy high-performance levels with reliable uptime. Understandably, the exclusive perks and additional features are also reflected in the price tag of dedicated hosting plans, making it a premium option.

VPS Hosting

VPS hosting is a more advanced form of shared hosting. It provides resources that are exclusive to you, such as RAM and bandwidth, which can improve the speed and performance of your site. It also enhances your data protection by providing an isolated environment, meaning your site won’t be affected if others on the server are compromised.

VPS hosting is an excellent option if you want some customization and enhanced performance without the premium price of dedicated hosting.

WordPress Hosting

WordPress hosting is WordPress-specific. If you have a WordPress website or blog, it’s best to purchase a WordPress hosting package that’s optimized to meet your website’s requirements.

Reseller Hosting

Reseller hosting is an excellent option for those wanting to get into the hosting business. You can rent out or resell the same hosting services provided by the parent hosting company to others. You can also upsell all the other web services the parent web host offers, such as domain registration, SSL certificates, website builders, and email hosting services.

How to Find the Best Web Hosting Provider to Partner With

The functionality of your website relies on your web host provider, so it’s essential to choose the right one for your business. There are many providers available, and they aren’t all created equal.

Hostinger homepage with pricing and a button to claim deal.

Due to our experience with high-traffic websites, we highly recommend Hostinger as a web host. It offers a 99.99% uptime guarantee, 24/7 customer support, and several hosting plans. Still, it’s still important to consider your individual website needs and research different companies to find the best web host provider for you.

To help narrow down your choices, ask yourself these questions about each provider you consider:

  • Does it guarantee at least 99% uptime?
  • What is its market reputation, and what do past and current customers have to say about it?
  • Does it have reviews? If yes, are they negative or positive?
  • Does it offer 24/7 support with trained personnel?
  • Does it offer any freebies, such as a free domain name?
  • What security measures and backup protocols does it provide?

FAQs about Domain Names

  • What is a domain name? A domain name is your website’s address. It’s what people type in the URL bar to find your little corner of the internet. For example, our domain name is quicksprout.com.
  • How do domain names work? When you register a domain name, that name is associated with a unique IP address where your website is hosted. The IP address is the digital address for your website, and it’s represented by a string of numbers like 66.249.66.1. This is difficult to remember, so domain names provide a more user-friendly way of navigating to a website without memorizing random numbers.
  • Do domain registrars also offer web hosting? Yes, many of the best domain registrars combine domain registration with web hosting so you can get everything you need in one place.
Quicksprout homepage with a red box around the URL.

The Different Types of Domain Suffixes

As a small business owner venturing online, one of your first digital decisions is choosing the right domain name for your website. There are three main types of domain suffixes to choose from, and selecting the right one can influence the perception of your brand.

  • Top-Level Domains (TLD): Top-level domains are the most popular option in the Domain Name System (DNS). While there are thousands of TLDs, the most common ones are .com, .org, and .net. In fact, nearly 50% of websites use a .com suffix. A TLD is a perfect option if you want your business to have a global reach, as these are universally recognized and trusted.
  • Country Code Top-Level Domains (ccTLD): These are two-letter domain suffixes corresponding to a geographic region, such as .ca for Canada or .uk for the United Kingdom. These are commonly used by companies building dedicated sites for specific areas.
  • Generic Top-Level Domain (gTLD): gTLDs are domain suffixes that are not restricted by geography but have specific use cases, such as .edu for universities or .gov for government sites. Brands should choose gTLDs that align closely with their industry sector to help users quickly identify their content.

Tips for Choosing the Best Domain Name

One of the most exciting parts about creating a website is choosing a name for it. Below are some guidelines to help you select the best one.

  • Choose a name that sounds professional and is easy to remember.
  • Keep it to three words or fewer to make it easy for users to remember.
  • Choose a TLD suffix like .com for universal recognition, a ccTLD for country-specific audiences, or a gTLD to reflect your industry.
  • Check to make sure the name is available for registration and not trademarked by someone else.

Should I Bundle Web Hosting with Domain Name?

Bundling is when you get your domain name and web hosting from the same provider. It’s important to review the pros and cons of each one to determine if bundling is right for you.

Hostinger Free Domain Name page with a search bar.

Bundling Pros

  • Potential savings: Many providers offer discounts or promotional rates when services are bundled. For example, a free domain name is a common perk of bundling with a web host provider.
  • Simpler management: Having both your web hosting and domain name with a single vendor simplifies account management and renewals.

Bundling Cons

  • Less flexibility: Bundling may limit your ability to switch providers for one service without affecting the other, potentially locking you into a less-than-ideal situation.
  • Fewer choices: When you bundle, your options are limited to the services and features offered by that specific provider, which may not meet all your changing needs.

Bundling is generally a great approach for website owners, but there are exceptions. If you have specific hosting preferences or domain name needs such as a ccTLD or specialized security requirements, it may be better to keep them separate to allow for greater customization and flexibility.

Whether you’re leaning toward bundling or considering separate providers, it’s crucial to understand the nuances of both hosting and domain names to make an informed decision.

How Do Domains and Web Hosts Work Together for Your Website?

A domain and a web host are both essential for a website to work. Your domain is the address people use to find your website, and the web host is the physical location where your website files are stored.

Here’s how they work together:

  1. Your domain registrar updates the DNS records to associate your domain name with the IP address of your web host’s server.
  2. A user types your domain name into a web browser, and the DNS translates it into the corresponding IP address.
  3. The browser sends a request to the IP address to retrieve the website data.
  4. Your web host’s server receives the request and returns the necessary website files.
  5. The user can view and interact with your website.

Your domain name is essentially a signpost pointing to your web host’s server, where your website lives. Without a domain, users would have to memorize an IP address to visit your site, which is not user-friendly. Without hosting, you wouldn’t have a place to store your website’s code, text, and images.

Can You Buy a Domain Without Getting a Web Host?

Yes, you can buy a domain without getting a web host at the same time or from the same provider, but you will need one eventually to launch your website.

Is It Possible to Move Domains and Web Hosts?

Absolutely. There are many reasons for wanting to transfer a domain name, such as dissatisfaction with your hosting provider or wanting to combine your domain and hosting under one account.

How to Transfer a Domain Name to a New Host

There are a few steps involved, but it is possible to move domains and web hosts:

  1. Select your new web host provider and create an account with them.
  2. Disable domain privacy so that your contact information is available.
  3. Unlock your domain name, making it accessible for transfer.
  4. Request an authorization code where you identify yourself as the domain name holder.
  5. Move the domain name to its new home by initiating the final transfer.

How to Move Your Website to a New Web Host

Not all web hosts are created equal, and you may eventually need a new provider to get better uptime, faster loading times, or a more affordable plan.

Here’s how:

  1. Purchase and activate an account with your new web host.
  2. Move all your website files, including databases and email accounts.
  3. Install and configure your applications such as a WordPress content management system or PHP version at the new host.
  4. Check out the new site on a staging or temporary URL.
  5. Identify and eliminate errors.
  6. Point your domain DNS records to your new web host.

These are just the general steps to switch web hosts. When the time comes, we also have a step-by-step guide to migrating your website, which will walk you through the process in more detail.