Do you know how domains and web hosting work? What is the difference between them? How are they related?
With the increasing popularity of digital technology, having a website for business or non-business purposes is essential for virtually any organisation or individual seeking to increase their digital footprint. Managing websites can therefore be quite daunting for those who are unfamiliar with the technical aspects. Domain names and web hosting are two major components that must be understood in order to effectively utilise a website. According to reports released by Verio in 2019, over 338 million domain names were registered worldwide, showing a year-on-year growth rate of 8%.1 Moreover, as of October 2019, the United States was hosting 121,979,200 websites on its server.2 This demonstrates the importance of understanding how domains and web hosting works, and how the two are connected.
In this article, you will learn the different components of domains and web hosting, how they fit together and the important considerations you need to make when setting up your website. You will also learn about the various challenges that may be associated with web hosting, and the best practices you should adhere to in order to maximise performance and security. Finally, the article will explore some of the most popular hosting platforms available and highlight their key characteristics.
Overall, understanding how domains and web hosting works is essential for ensuring your website performance meets its intended purpose. Not only will your website be optimised for speed and reliability, but following the right practices will also ensure there are minimal security risks to protect your data. And by learning about the different hosting platforms, you are more likely to select the most appropriate option to suit your needs.
References
1. Verio, 2019. https://www.verio.com/domain-profiles
2. Netcraft, 2019. https://news.netcraft.com/archives/2019/10/30/october-2019-web-server-survey.html
Definitions
In this article, You will learn:
A domain name and web hosting are two vital components of running a website. Domain names are unique Internet addresses that can be used to identify a website, and web hosting is physical space on a server that stores the files, images, and other content associated with a website. To understand them better, it’s important to look at each of them individually.
Domain name – A domain name is the address of a website. It’s typically a combination of numbers, words, and/or hyphens and ends in a “top-level domain” such as .com or .org. The domain name acts as an easy-to-remember address for web visitors, so they can easily find a website by typing it into their browser’s address bar.
Web hosting – Web hosting is the space on a physical server that is used to store the files, images, and other content associated with a website. Web hosting is provided by a web hosting company, which makes its servers available to store website files. When someone enters the domain name into their browser, the browser retrieves the appropriate files off the web hosting server.
For a website to go live on the Internet, both a domain name and web hosting are necessary. The domain name will point web visitors to the web hosting server where the files, images, and other content associated with the website will be stored. And that’s how domains and web hosting works together to power websites.
What is a Domain Name?
What is a Domain Name?
A domain name is a web address used to access and read a website. It is the media by which people access websites on the internet. It is a text-based identifier that is associated with particular IP addresses. Domain names allow people to access websites with an easy to remember name instead of a lengthy numerical IP address.
Domain names provide a website with its own identity. They are the barcode, label, or brand of a website on the internet. A domain name is usually structured like “www.example.com” but can also be found in a variety of other forms such as “www.example.net” or “example.org”. The “www” portion of a domain name is optional, but, if it is present, it should always be followed by a dot (period).
How Does a Domain Name Work?
Every computer connected to the internet has an IP address (such as 123.456.789). When a user types a domain name into their browser, the browser looks up the IP address associated with it in a Domain Name System (DNS), which is a database that stores all domain names and their associated IP addresses. The browser then communicates with the server at that IP address in order to access the website.
In the event that the domain is a subdomain, such as “www.example.com/subdomain”, then the DNS will look up an IP address associated with “example.com”. The browser will then make a request to the web server at that IP address and the web server will bring up the subdomain with “subdomain” as the specific page for the visitor.
How Does Web Hosting Work?
Web hosting is the practice of providing storage and access to websites on the internet. It involves the placement of websites on the internet and making them accessible all around the world via the web.
When a website is created, it needs to be hosted on a server located in a data center. The web server must have an IP address and the domain name associated with it must be registered. The web hosting provider provides the necessary services and infrastructure for the websites to be viewed online. Web hosting providers are usually companies that have their own servers and offer other hosting-related services, such as website and email hosting, web analytics, and data storage.
The process of setting up a website on a web hosting server involves installing the web server software, configuring the database, uploading the webpages and associated content, and linking the domain to the server. Once completed, a website can be accessed by anyone around the world.
Benefits of Web Hosting
- Increased Reliability – Instead of having a single server, web hosting providers usually store websites on multiple servers, giving users access to the website during downtimes.
- Security – Web hosting providers actively monitor their data centers and provide secure storage for all the websites.
- High Speed – Web hosting providers usually provide high-speed internet connections, ensuring the website runs fast and smoothly.
- Cost Efficiency – Since web hosting providers often host multiple websites on the same server, the cost of hosting a website can be significantly reduced.
- Scalability – Most web hosting providers offer different plans that allow websites to grow and scale as their needs increase.
What is Web Hosting?
Web hosting is the service that makes it possible for websites to be viewed on the internet. It involves providing a server, referred to as a webhost, where the files that comprise the website can be stored. The webhost also provides the necessary internet connectivity and processing power for the website to be viewed across the world.
Web Host Provider
The webhosting provider is responsible for the management of the server. This includes ensuring the server is up-and-running, installing web server software, providing technical support and performing regular maintenance and security updates. The provider also ensures the server is connected to the correct ports on the internet, allowing website visitors to access the website from anywhere around the world.
Domains
Domain names are the web address that allows website visitors to access the website. The domain name is linked to the IP address of the webhost server and when a visitor types in the domain name, the web browser is directed to the correct server. Domain names are typically registered with a domain registrar and include extensions such as .com, .net, and .org. The most popular domains are called generic Top-Level Domains and are available for anyone to purchase.
When purchasers register a domain name, it can remain linked to the webhost server for up to 10 years. However, it can be pointed to different IP addresses at any time, allowing the registrant to change the webhost server without having to purchase a new website name.
In conclusion, web hosting is the service that enables websites to be viewed online. It involves providing a server where the files that make up a website can be stored. A webhost provider is responsible for managing the server and keeping it up-and-running. Domain names are the web address that allow website visitors to access a website. Domain names are typically registered with a domain registrar and are available for anyone to purchase.
How are Domain Names and Web Hosting Connected?
Domain Names and web hosting are connected by the fact that they are both part of the foundation that enables websites to be hosted on the Internet. Domain names provide the address to a website, while web hosting provides the server space and the technology necessary for the website to be accessed online.
What is a Domain Name?
A domain name is an address that identifies a specific website. It is typically composed of two main parts. The first part is the top-level domain (TLD) which is the .com, .net, .org, or other suffix in an address. The second part is the unique label for the website, which is often branded or associated with a business, organization, or individual. The sum of the two, separated by a full stop, make up the domain name.
What is Web Hosting?
Web hosting is a service that provides users with the server space and technology needed to store and serve content on the web. When a website is intended to be hosted online, a web hosting provider is required to store and manage the website’s files on a server and also configure the network between the server and the domain name. Without web hosting, websites cannot be accessed through the Internet.
These services are typically offered at a cost by web hosting providers along with other features like a domain name, email hosting, secure sockets layer (SSL) certificates, website development tools, website templates, and other features. Depending on the size and nature of a website, users can choose from different types of web hosting services such as shared, dedicated, cloud, or virtual servers.
Overall, a domain name and web hosting are connected in the sense that without web hosting, a domain name would have no active online presence. Web hosting provides physical space on a server and the technology needed to host files and make them accessible online. The domain name then serves as the address to the hosted files and websites that can be accessed and viewed online through an Internet browser.
Conclusion
Thought-provoking question on topic:
What are the benefits of having a web hosting and domain setup in place?
Having a domain and web hosting in place provides businesses and individuals with a platform to easily establish an online presence and take advantage of the internet’s capability to reach a broad array of audiences. These set-ups not only enable users to easily construct websites and build their online presence, but also allow for the development of content to interact with customers, users, and potential customers via blogs, applications, and more.
If you’d like to learn more about the complexities of setting up a domain and web hosting, make sure you check out our blog for timely updates with helpful tips and tricks. You won’t want to miss out on our future releases and new content!
Take a moment and answer few most frequently asked questions related to domains and web hosting now:
What is the difference between a website and a domain? A website is the collection of webpages hosted on a web server and associated with a domain, while a domain is simply the name of a website. For example, the domain name of this website is ‘example.com’ and the website is made up of a collection of webpages.
What is a domain? A domain is a human-readable name used to identify a website or group of websites on the internet. Domain names typically consist of one or more parts that are separated by periods or dots and generally end in a generic top-level domain such as ‘.com’ or ‘.net’.
What is web hosting? Web hosting is essentially the process of renting out space and resources on a server in order to host a website. Since the files of a website are stored on a web server, web hosting is necessary to allow users to access the website online.
Do I need a domain and web hosting? Yes, in order to have a website, you need both a domain name and web hosting. Without them, it would not be possible to create or view a website online.
What are the benefits of having a domain and web hosting setup? Having a domain and web hosting setup allows businesses and individuals to take advantage of the internet’s ability to reach a wide audience. It also enables users to easily construct websites and build their online presence, as well as develop content to interact with customers, users, and potential customers via blogs, applications, and more.
