This post will show the difference between a domain name and web hosting. Web hosting is where the files on your website are kept. Together with a domain, the two make websites come to life. One cannot do without the other as both are needed for a website to function. A domain name or URL is what you type into the search bar of google when looking for a website. My previous post on how to search for a domain name explained all about domain names.
A domain name and web hosting can be purchased from two different companies. If you do it that way, then you must point your domain name to your web hosting company, by editing the domain name system (DNS) settings to point to the new host. Instructions or steps for doing this will usually be provided by the hosting company in case of transfer.
What is a Web Host?
A web host is a server on which websites are stored. These servers are owned by companies and it is for you to choose the company of your preference to host your site with.
Choosing a Web Hosting Service
Selecting a web hosting service can be a challenging experience as there are several out there. Look for a hosting service that is reliable and constant, having stood the test of time. What to check out for is
Speed by which information to your website is given to visitors.
Diskspace – checkup how much disk space is offered by the company and select the type you will need.
Reliable support for your problems. Chat service is desirable.
Price or Cost involved in purchasing from a site.
Types of web hosting
Shared hosting – can be purchased when you are just starting out. It is for small businesses and bloggers. With this type, the websites are stored with others on the same server.
VPS hosting – is for when your site has grown a bit bigger. With this type, although there is one physical server, your individual hosting is partitioned so you do not share hosting with anyone.
Dedicated hosting is for larger businesses, where the business has full control over the server. This is a business that has a sizeable amount of web traffic.
Factors that should inform your choice of a Web Host
- A fast server
- A great uptime throughout the year. You do not want a server that experiences downtimes that make it difficult for your website to be assessed.
- Sizeable enough to be able to host more websites when you have more
- SSD if they have it, sometimes increases the load time
- Bandwidth data transfer – to be able to transfer files within a certain amount of time. the bandwidth should be higher for this to be possible.
- email account provision – that you can put your domain name to e.g. [email protected]
- Annual renewal must not be too high – it is advisable to buy a hosting package that will last 2-3 years when you are starting out. This can be highly discounted and then the renewal price is rather high. It is necessary to check all these factors to be well informed.
Ease of transfer from one web host to another
Sometimes transferring from one host to another can be confusing, frustrating, and time-consuming. That is why for convenience, some will do everything at one company.
How can you know a good web host as a newbie?
You now know the difference between a domain and a web host. However, as a newbie, you will not know which web hosting service is best. You can only have an idea through the research you make, and recommendations made by others.
The best course of action is to trust the process, go ahead, and pick one that your resources can handle to gain the first-hand experience of it.