Website Hosting vs Domain Hosting

Did you know that there are over two billion websites in the world? With almost four billion people online, the internet is a great place to access potential customers. 

Whether you’re attempting to build your website yourself or just want to learn more on the topic, there’s a lot to discover. One area that causes a lot of confusion is website hosting vs domain hosting. These two topics are related but are quite different. 

This guide will discuss everything you need to know about website hosting and domain hosting. 

What Is Web Hosting?

A web host gives you the space where you’ll display your website’s content. This includes the following:

• Images
• Videos 
• Text

A web host doesn’t give you the web address your visitors will use to get to your website, like www . yourbusiness . com.

You can think of the web host as the server that stores your website’s files on the internet. If your domain is your address, then the web host is your website’s house. 

Some examples of web hosting options include:

• WPEngine
• Siteground
• Bluehost

A qualified digital marketing agency will help you determine the best web hosting option for your needs. 

How Much Does Web Hosting Cost?

The cost of domain hosting depends on several things, including how many resources that you need. Resources can include some of the following:

• Storage and memory space
• Company reputation 
• Security
• Software
• Bandwidth
• Human customer support

Most websites operate on a shared hosting platform. That means the hosting company leases out various accounts on a server. The company then manages the resources throughout all of the accounts. 

Shared hosting prices vary depending upon your selected plan. 

How Can I Find a Reliable Web Host?

A good web host company will match your goals and budget. They’ll provide you with the services that they promised to you. 

Each business has different needs and goals. The cost might be more important to you than services. You might not mind limited customer service if you’re getting a good deal. 

Can I Transfer My Web Host?

Yes, you can transfer your web host. One thing you’ll want to keep in mind is that the next company you choose has the same tech stack that your current one does. 

Since you own your domain name, you don’t have to worry about changing the domain if you change your web host. You’ll just want to adjust the settings for your domain name to reflect the new web host. 

What Is Domain Hosting?

Another term for internet addresses is IP addresses. An IP address is a series of a lot of numbers that don’t really make any sense. Instead of telling your customers to type in a bunch of numbers to get to your website, you can register your domain name that will take them to your IP address. 

A domain host gives you the domain name that visitors can type into the search bar to find your website. As we mentioned earlier, the domain is like your street address for your website’s house. 

A domain host will store various domain names and keep them registered. 

What’s the Cost of a Domain Name?

A domain name will cost a flat fee that you’re charged per year. The exact price depends upon a variety of factors. These factors include:

• The registrar’s business model 
• The domain’s status
• Markup

A generic domain, like a .org or .com, can vary in price. If you want to buy a country top-level domain, such as .com.au, you’ll have to pay for the base cost, plus markup and the registrar’s business model. 

Another factor that might affect the pricing is if you want to buy a domain that’s already registered. You’ll have to negotiate a price with the current owner of the domain, so they’ll sell it to you. There are also domain marketplaces where domains go up for auction. 

Can I Get a Domain Without a Web Host?

Yes, you can purchase a domain without also getting a web host. There are a variety of reasons a person might want to purchase a domain before they’re ready to build a website. These reasons can include:

• You want to claim the domain name
• You want to redirect the domain to a current project
• You want to protect its trademark 

How Do I Choose a Domain Name Company?

There are plenty of domain registrars to choose from. As you figure out which one is best for your needs, think about what features you want. 

Some questions you can ask yourself include:

• Is online chat fine for customer support?
• Do you want a small upstart or an established company?
• Do you want to purchase one domain or several?
• Do you want to buy your domain and web hosting from one company?

Website Hosting vs Domain Hosting — Which Do I Need?

To create a website, you’ll need both domain and website hosting. When you purchase a domain name, you can typically only use it for a specific period of time. Most of the time it’s only for one year, so you’ll have to renew it when the time comes. 

Once you have your domain registered, you’ll need web hosting so you can store your website’s files. After you’ve secured your web hosting, you can update your domain settings to point to your web host provider. 

You can oftentimes purchase web and domain hosting from the same provider. If you do that, you don’t have to worry about updating the settings for your domain. It can be easier for some people to renew and manage their services from one location. 

Partner With Polka Dot Marketing for Your Website Needs

There’s a lot to learn about website hosting vs domain hosting. While they’re two connected services, they perform two vastly different jobs. Hiring a qualified digital marketing agency is essential to ensuring your website operates without a hitch. 

Contact Polka Dot Marketing to learn more about our website design and building services.