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Rana Wael
Rana Wael

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Domain Name vs. Web Hosting

Before comparing them, we need to define some abbreviations.

What does "IP" mean?

An IP is a unique address that identifies a device on the internet or a local network. It is responsible for routing packets to their correct destinations over the internet.

What is a Domain Name?

A domain name is a uniquely human-readable name used to identify a website (e.g., google.com).

What does "DNS" mean?

DNS stands for the Domain Name System, which is responsible for translating domain names into IP addresses. A computer sends a DNS query to a DNS server, which returns the corresponding IP address.

What is a Host?

A host is any computer that has full two-way access to other computers on the internet.

What is the meaning of Web Hosting?

Web hosting is an online service that allows you to publish your website files onto the internet. So, anyone who has access to the internet has access to your website. We refer to web hosting as the home of your website. This means it is a physical server connected to the internet that store website data.

Domain Name vs. Web Hosting:

  • When you buy a domain name you just buy an address IP for yourself
  • Web hosting is what allows you to set up the website (make it visible across the internet)
  • If you buy a domain name but you don't get hosting, you just type your domain name, you will see locked screen indicating that the IP address is parked but not active, So in order to go live you need web hosting

The main difference between a domain name and hosting is that domain name is the address, which allows a visitor to easily find your website online, while hosting is where the website files are stored.

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