What the hell are domains and hosting?

Getting started with domains and hosting.

When you realise you need a website, the technical terminology you come across can be a bit overwhelming. You’ll start to hear terms such as domains, domain registrars and hosting. What?! Luckily, they are simple to explain. And once you understand the difference, you’ll be ready to take on the web with confidence.

The Elements of a Website

In order to create a website, you need a few things: 

·      A domain name

·     A website hosting package

·      A website – designed and built by yourself or a web designer

·      Digital content – text, images, videos and anything else that your website visitors will see when they come to your site.

Domain Names

The first step in creating an online presence is to purchase a domain name. A domain name is the name and address of your website. It’s what comes after ‘www.’ in a web address. If someone wants to see your website, it’s this address that they need.

Think of it like this: If your website was a house, the domain name would be your address.

You may also hear the term ‘domain extension’. This is what comes after the name of your website (your domain name) and could be one of many options, including ‘.com’, ‘.co’, ‘.co.uk’, ‘.us’, ‘.info’ etc. Generally speaking, ‘.com’ is the domain extension you want to purchase, as it the most used worldwide and is essential if you want website visitors from around the world. Second best is .co.

All domains need to be purchased through a domain registrar – that is a specialist company that has permission to buy and sell domain names. I recommend www.names.co.uk – I have found them to be good value, with good service. It’s who I buy my domains from.

All domain registrar websites have a search tool so you can pop in your chosen name and see if it’s available.

Website Hosting

Website hosting where your website actually lives.

Think of it like this: website hosting is the plot of land that your house (your website) sits on.

Technically speaking, it’s an account on a large computer – aka a ‘server’ – that has the power to display your website to visitors that use your website address (domain name).

All websites need website hosting and, like domains, it needs to be purchased from a specialist company. If you are building a WordPress site, you’ll need to buy hosting from a hosting company - such as Siteground, but if you’re using an all-in-one solution such as Shopify or Sqaurespace, hosting is part of your website package. This often makes it easier for small business to get online quickly and easily.

In a Nutshell

You purchase a plot of land, build a house on it, and your address lets people find your house.

You purchase web hosting, build a website on it, and your domain name lets people find your website.

Make sense? Good!