Domain Name vs. Web Hosting
Understanding the key difference between a domain name and web hosting is essential when building a website.
When setting up your first website, it’s common to get confused between domain name registration and web hosting.
A domain name is essentially the address of your website (e.g., www.mynewcompany.com). It’s what visitors type into their browsers to find your site. Domain names can be purchased from a domain registrar, and typically cost between $10 and $50 per year, depending on the extension (e.g., .com is usually cheaper than .ca).
On the other hand, web hosting is the service that stores your website files and makes them accessible on the Internet. To get your site online, these files need to be uploaded to a server provided by a hosting company. Hosting plans typically range from $10 to $50 per month, depending on the type of server, storage space, and bandwidth your site requires.
While you can purchase your domain and hosting from separate providers, it’s often more convenient to buy both from the same company, allowing for easier management of your website’s settings and services.
Datakraft recommends MochaHost as one of the best hosting providers, offering both domain name registration and hosting services at highly affordable rates, starting from $1.95/month for web hosting. While you can purchase a domain name and host it elsewhere, using MochaHost for both simplifies the process.
Once you’ve purchased a domain name, you’ll receive login details to access your account. It’s crucial to keep this information safe and share it with your web developer.
If you buy your domain from one provider but decide to host it elsewhere, you’ll need to log in to your domain registrar account and update the DNS settings. This change directs your domain to the new hosting provider.
Before updating your DNS settings, be sure to review any email accounts associated with your domain. If you’ve set up email addresses through your domain registrar, you’ll need to configure them with your new hosting provider. To avoid potential email disruptions, it’s a good idea to consult with your web developer or IT department before making any changes.
While domain registration and hosting setup can seem overwhelming, it becomes much easier once you’ve done it a few times. For those setting up a new site, MochaHost makes the process simpler by providing both services in one place. If you’ve already purchased your domain elsewhere, just ensure you have your login details for both the domain registrar and hosting provider, and pass this information along to your web developer.