What Is Domain Hosting? A Simple Guide for Beginners

When you look into setting up a website, you might find that you need domain hosting. However, it’s easy to get this mixed up with other technical terms like web hosting. What’s the difference? And do you need both?

If you want to create your own website, you’ll typically need both a domain name and a hosting provider. This way, you can show people where to find your content and make sure your website is available for customers to interact with.

In this post, we’ll take a closer look at domain hosting and discuss how it differs from web hosting. Then, we’ll help you choose a domain provider. Let’s jump in!

What is a Domain?

Every website requires a domain name so that visitors can access it online.

Essentially, your website’s domain serves as the face of your website address. People can type it into the search bar to reach your website.

Without domains, we’d have to enter complex numerical internet protocol (IP) addresses. These are the true destinations of websites. But thanks to the domain name system (DNS), we never have to use them.

Instead, each IP address corresponds to a domain name. So, when a person enters your domain into a browser, it’s automatically translated into the IP address. This enables the server to deliver your website files to web browsers.

Why Are Domains Important?

Domains are important because they offer a convenient way for people to find your website.

But what are the additional benefits?

First, if you use a website builder, you might get free web hosting and a free domain name. The catch is that your website usually gets set up on a subdomain that includes the name of the website builder.

With a custom domain name, it’s easier to establish credibility with people who are unfamiliar with your business. The domain will contain your business name which enhances professionalism.

Not only that, but it’s a great way to reinforce your brand identity (without providing free advertising for your web hosting company). You might also like to set up a professional email account that uses the same domain to maximize consistency.

As we mentioned, the first part of the domain typically contains your brand or business name. Some websites prefer to include key search terms and phrases to capture highly relevant traffic from the search engine results.

However, you’ll also need to choose an appropriate top-level domain (TLD) or domain extension. Popular domain extensions include .com and .org. But there are plenty of great .com alternatives if your preferred domain name is taken.

An Introduction to Domain Hosting

The typical route to obtaining a domain name is to set it up when you buy a web hosting package. That said, if you aren’t ready to set up a website yet, you may simply require domain hosting.

Domain hosting is provided by companies that are registered under the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (or ICANN). This authority coordinates domain databases on the internet.

As we mentioned, many web hosting providers offer this service. But if you’re not interested in a web hosting service, you can use a domain registrar instead:

As the name suggests, these companies facilitate easy domain registration and transfers. You’ll be the sole owner of the domain, so you can tie it to any hosting provider you like.

If you choose to set up web hosting with a different provider, you’ll need to point the domain to your new hosting server. Most quality registrars also offer features to help manage and protect your domain.

It’s important to note that when you purchase a domain name, it’s only valid for a limited time (usually one year). After that, you’re responsible for renewing the domain. Otherwise, the domain will expire and become available for purchase once again.

Domain Hosting vs Web Hosting

Domain hosting and web hosting are certainly related, but they are two different services. Often, you’ll find them bundled together, but it’s possible to purchase them separately.

The domain name essentially works like a street address that tells people where they can find your content. Meanwhile, a web hosting provider functions like the actual house that stores your website’s files.

If you register a domain name without web hosting, you won’t be able to create a website. The browser won’t be able to display any content because there isn’t a physical server associated with the domain.

You also can’t set up web hosting without registering a domain, otherwise people won’t be able to locate your content online. As you can see, both services work closely together.

You can buy web hosting and domains separately (and then point the domain to your hosting server). However, it’s more convenient to purchase a domain name and web hosting from the same company.

For starters, it’s easier to manage renewals from one central dashboard. Plus, many hosting services (including NameHero) offer free domain names when you sign up for a web hosting account:

The good news is that NameHero has a range of hosting plans including shared hosting and virtual private server (VPS) hosting. Therefore, you’re sure to find something that meets your requirements.

All packages come with an SSL certificate, unlimited storage, and a free security shield. If you already have a website, NameHero offers free website migrations.

How to Choose a Domain Hosting Provider

As we’ve discussed, you’ll need to purchase your preferred domain from a licensed domain registrar.

Here’s what to consider when choosing a domain hosting service:

• Price. Many companies highlight introductory offers which allow you to buy domain names at a discounted rate. Make sure you check for hidden fees and renewal rates.
• Domain transfer. A good hosting company makes it easy to move your domain, but others may impose transfer fees.
• Registration period. The best domain hosting providers carry out domain name registrations that last at least one year. Check the expiration policies and/or grace periods in case you forget to renew it.
• Technical support. It isn’t uncommon for websites to run into domain-related issues. In this instance, it’s important to be able to contact support to quickly resolve the problem.
• Reliability. Like web hosting, you want to ensure that your domain name remains accessible at all times, so it’s a good idea to research the provider’s uptime record.
• User experience. There are certain tasks involved with managing domains. You might need to update your DNS settings or renew the domain. In these instances, a user-friendly interface simplifies the process.

You should also be aware that some domain companies like NameHero offer add-ons like DNS management and domain privacy protection which can be handy:

The best thing about NameHero is that you can use the free domain search tool to find your desired domain. Once you’ve made your purchase, it’s easy to manage all of your domains (and website resources) from your NameHero hosting account.

Conclusion

Domain names are a user-friendly way for people to find content online. You can think of them as the address for your website. However, you’ll also need a web hosting provider that’s more akin to the house where your content lives.

The two are related but you don’t have to buy them together. There are benefits to using the same provider, including free domain registration. But if you don’t need web hosting, you can simply use a reputable domain registrar.

At NameHero, we offer a wide range of web hosting plans, and many of them include a free domain name. If you’re only interested in domains, you can get started with our free domain search tool. You can even register domains for up to nine years, and customize your order with optional add-ons like domain privacy protection. Get your domain name today!