Written By Jerry Low . Published on 1 May, 2008 .
It is very common for newbies to get confused between a domain name with a web hosting. However, it is very important to be crystal clear on the differences between the two before you move on to your first website.
Domain name And Web Hosting Explained
To simplify: A domain name, is like the address of your home; web hosting on the other hand, is the space of your house where you place your furniture.
Instead of street name and area code, set of words or/and numbers are used for the website’s naming’. The same goes with hosting, computer hard disk and computer memory are used instead of instead of wood and steel for storing and processing data files. The idea is presented clearer with the diagram below.
What’s A Domain Name
When you register a domain, it gives you sole ownership and rights to the name of your site. No one else in the market has the access to the actual name of that particular domain besides you.
However, just because you have a domain does not mean that you are ready to serve your website to the world. To put up and operate a website, you will need a domain name, and a proper-configured web server (hosting). Details on domain name and DNS system were explained previously so we are not digging any deeper on this here – just be clear that (1) a domain name is like your house address; and, (2) a domain name can be registered only with a domain registrar.
What’s A Web Hosting
A web hosting normally refers to the web server (big computer) that stores lots of data files). A web hosting providers normally rent out web servers and network connection to the end-users or the resellers. For most cases, the hosting providers will be the parties handling most server maintenance work (such as backup, root configuration, maintenance, disaster recoveries, etc); but for certain cases, the end users will need to get everything cover by themselves.
You can learn more about web hosting in our previous article.
Going Further: Understand Types Of Different Web Hosting Services
Understanding the differences between web hosting and domain names is the very basic start of your venture. Moving on, you should have a brief idea on how each type of hosting works. Get yourself clear on Shared Web Hosting, VPS Web Hosting, Dedicated Web Hosting, Reseller Hosting, as well as Cloud Web Hosting.
For advance readers, our article on inodes should be your next stop. I bet most hosting shoppers have not heard about inodes. It is, after all, an (almost) abandoned topic in hosting industry that reveals the secrets behind unlimited hosting offers.
good explanation, simple and useful. Thanks
Thank you for this. now I know what is is
Thank you for explanation.
very clear explanation.greetings
very clear .simple,easy and nice .thanks
its good
good information. Thanks. but still looking for how to create a website.
thanx good explanation
nice explanation, thanks alot
I appreciate,concrate elloboration and detailed explaination
Best Regards
simple and useful information.thanks
nice explanation man
thank you
Thanks for your post with simple example
Thank u! a very useful article….explained in simple terms.
Thanx,a lot-It was very useful, short and to the point. Are you a Teacher by trade
Very nice explanation. Now I could understand What is the difference between a domain and web hosting
good, A common person can understand esaily from your explanation
very nice explanation thank you…..
Thanks, its quite simple to catch
excellent explanation thanx
Very good explanations! I read through all of your links from this page. I feel much more comfortable about choosing a web host now. Thanks a million!
tanx but still not satisfied
Great! I like the way you represent the idea of host and domain.
Great! I really like the way you represent the idea of host and domain.
very clear, great mate!
That picture could not have explained it better. Thank you, sir!
Thank you so much!
Get it in one view, Thanks
Very clear. thanks
The way you have explain the concept of Web hosting and Domain Name its amazing. I think everybody will get benefit by going through this difference.