You have likely heard of web hosting and domain registration. You also probably know that you need both for your website. But, what are the differences between hosting and domain registration?
Put simply, without a domain your website visitors won’t have a memorable way to get to your website. Without hosting, there will be no website for visitors to go to. While this simplification gives a broad understanding, a more detailed explanation is helpful.
What is Web Hosting and How Does it Work?
Web hosting is an account on a server (a computer) that stores and serves website files via the internet. Though you can build and maintain your own server to store your website files, the much simpler and much less expensive solution is to rent space on a server owned by a hosting company. You pay a monthly fee to your hosting company and the company ensures that your website files are always saved, protected, and readily available.
When a site visitor comes to your website, their browser (Safari, Chrome, etc) requests your website files from the server. The server sends the files and the website loads on the site visitor’s computer.
What is Domain Registration and How Does it Work?
Domain registration is leasing a human-readable website name, like Google.com.. The domain acts as an address that points to the location of your website files on the server.
If you do not have a domain for your website your website files can still be accessed via an IP address, which is a string of numbers (192.168.0.1.1) that is placed into a browser address bar. But obviously, remembering and using google.com is much easier than remembering a string of numbers. Your domain name acts as a memorable link, a shortcut to the IP address of your website files.
When you register your domain name, you are leasing it from the Internet Corporation for Names and Numbers (ICANN). ICANN provides domain names through approved domain registrars, like godaddy.com. This gives you the right to use your website name and prevents others from using the same domain name. Usually, web hosting companies are also approved domain registrars and you can obtain your domain and your hosting from the same company, though you do not have to
Understanding Related Terminology
When setting up your website hosting and domain registration there are a few terms you will likely hear and should understand.
DNS
DNS stands for Domain Name System. The DNS is the system that does the actual translating of your domain name to the IP address of the website files. The DNS can also store records to send requests like email addresses to a server. Usually, your domain registrar or hosting company provides you with a DNS.
Content Management System
If you have a website over 15 years old, there is a good chance that your site was built with plain HTML files. Unfortunately, maintaining and updating HTML files can be a nuisance and requires an understanding of several coding languages.
Most modern websites are instead built with a Content Management System (CMS). A CMS is a visual interface, installed on your hosting account, that allows you to build, edit, and manage your website files from a single dashboard. The most popular open-source content management systems in the United States are WordPress, Joomla, and Drupal. Proprietary content management system/hosting/domain registration hybrids also exist, like Wix, Squarespace, Shopify, and Weebly.
Website Builder / eCommerce Software
Along with your website files, you can install software on your hosting account server (if you have this access to the server). One such software is a website builder. Website builders are tools that provide some form of drag and drop for building web pages and add website functionality. Some website builders are very basic with few options, while others can be overwhelmingly complex. Your website builder is often an add-on to your open-source content management system. With Wix, Squarespace, and similar systems a proprietary website builder is included by default.
Your Domain Registration and Website Hosting Options
There is a myriad of different ways you can set up your domain registration and host, but basically, they all boil down to three options.
Option #1: Buy Web Hosting and Domain Registration Separately
You will pay a domain registrar for your domain name and then pay a separate company to host your website files. You will have your domain registrar point your domain name to the server that houses your website files.
The flexibility of looking for different companies for the two services allows you to shop around for the ideal price/package for domain registration and the ideal price/package for web hosting. Given that companies often specialize in one service or the other you can get the best of both worlds.
At the same time, there are drawbacks to this approach. You now need to deal with two separate companies, as well as extra initial configuration steps. If you do run into a technical issue you may also end up with each company pointing the blame at the other, which can be frustrating. However, you can choose to move either your domain or your hosting to a different company if need be.
Option #2: Buy Web Hosting and Domain Registration Separately
Instead of using two separate companies, keep it simple, and use a single company for both services. This is the most common option. Most companies you consider will provide both hosting and domain registration. This is the most convenient option allowing for all setup and maintenance to go through one company. However, this may also be the more expensive option, even with bundled package pricing.
Option #3 Buy Web Hosting, Domain Registration, and Website Software Together
With the first two options you took care of domain registration and web hosting, but you still needed to install a separate content management system, like WordPress, as well as a website builder. If you are looking for the simplest option possible where your hosting, domain, and CMS are all provided by one company, then choose a company like Wix, Weebly, Squarespace or Shopify.
This is the most simple and convenient of all three options. You have speed, security, and maintenance all built into the package and everything is maintained by one company ensuring no compatibility issues. But, there are always trade-offs. You lose control and access to your server, you will end up paying more over the long-term, and you are limited to the features present in the CMS with very limited customization. If you choose this path you will also find it very difficult to switch to another company in the future.
You are Now Ready to Get Started
With a solid understanding of your different options and what to look for in choosing a company, you are ready to take the next step. If you still have additional questions or would like guidance, feel free to reach out to Mack Media. If you would rather the whole process just be handled by professionals, Mack Media provides full web design, development, and hosting services.
