A domain name is a unique, human-readable label that acts as a shortcut to a website’s IP address. Without a domain and hosting, a website would only be accessible using its numeric address which is hard for people to remember.
Similarly, a web host provides the server space and technical infrastructure that stores all of a website’s files and makes them available to users over the internet. A website is composed of many folders, files and unique data, which all need to be stored on a server in order for the site to function properly.
Because of the way that they work together, it is common for a domain and web host to be offered by the same company. However, there are some key differences between these two services that should be kept in mind before making a purchase.
The first thing to understand is the difference between a domain and a web host. A domain is a unique, human-readable label used to identify and locate websites on the internet. A domain name is usually made up of two parts: the actual name, and a domain extension (such as.com or.net). The domain extension determines what kind of website you can build.
When you buy a domain, it’s typically registered with a domain registrar. A registrar is the place where you can register or transfer a domain name, and it’s usually required to buy a hosting plan from a separate web host in order to use your domain. Many companies offer both domain registrar and web hosting, so you can do all of your shopping with the same company and save time.
However, purchasing both services from the same provider can be a mistake. It’s best to separate the services because it helps protect you against hackers who could take control of your domain by hacking your web host or your registrar. If they have access to your domain, then they could also get into your web server and steal all of your files.
Keeping the domain and hosting services separated also gives you more flexibility if you decide to change hosts down the line. If you’ve had issues with your web host such as poor support or high renewal prices you can cancel your web hosting service without impacting your domain. You can then simply move your domain and the associated files to a new provider.
So if you’re thinking about buying domain and hosting from the same company, make sure you do your research. It might be cheaper to go the separate route, but there are some significant drawbacks that should be considered before settling for a deal that combines these two important services.
