In today's digital age, having an online presence is essential for businesses, organizations, and individuals alike. Two fundamental components that make this possible are domain names and web hosting. While they work closely together, they serve distinct functions. This article will delve into what domain names and web hosting are, and how they work together.
What is a Domain Name?
A domain name is a human-readable address used to access websites on the Internet. It translates numerical IP addresses, which computers use to identify each other, into easy-to-remember words. For example, instead of typing `172.217.14.206`, you can simply enter `www.google.com` to reach Google's homepage. Visitors can either directly enter your domain name into the address bar on their web browser, or they can find your website on social media, via links on other websites, or in search engines like Google or Bing.
Registering a Domain Name
To use a domain name, you must register it through a domain registrar such as HostPoppy. Registering a domain typically involves:
1. Choosing a Domain Name: Ensure it's unique and represents your brand or purpose.
2. Checking Availability: Use a registrar's search tool to see if the domain is available.
3. Registration: Provide contact information and pay the registration fee.
4. Renewal: Domains are leased, not owned; you must renew registration periodically.
Domain Name System (DNS) Servers
The Domain Name System (DNS) is often referred to as the Internet's phonebook. A DNS server maintains a directory of domain names and translates them to IP addresses. This process is essential because, while domain names are easy for humans to remember, computers and network devices access websites based on IP addresses.
When you have a website, your DNS may be provided by your domain name registrar, your web hosting provider, or an intermediary service like Cloudflare.
At the most basic level, you set your DNS servers at your domain registrar, and then any user’s request for your domain name will get routed to those DNS servers, usually referred to as “nameservers” for short, which will then tell the client the IP address of the server.
After registering a domain name and purchasing a hosting plan, you need to link the domain to the hosting server. This is done by configuring the domain's DNS settings:
1. Nameservers: Point your domain to the web host's nameservers, which tell the DNS where your website is hosted.
2. DNS Records: Configure records like A (Address) records to map your domain to the server's IP address.
For most clients, the easiest solution is to set the nameservers to those listed in your HostPoppy hosting account welcome email, however for clients with more advanced configurations, the IP address of the server hosting your website will be in that welcome email as well, so you can configure the suitable A records at your domain registrar or DNS provider.
If you need help connecting your HostPoppy web hosting account to your domain name, please feel free to reach out to our friendly support team any time.
What is Web Hosting?
Web hosting is a service that allows individuals and organizations to make their websites accessible via the Internet. Web hosts provide the technologies and server space needed for the website to be viewed online.
When you create a website, it needs to be stored on a server connected to the Internet. A server is a special type of computer that’s designed to run 24/7/365 and securely and quickly host your website. Web hosting companies like HostPoppy own and maintain these servers.
There are multiple different kinds of web hosting solutions to fit different needs and budgets, and HostPoppy offers a variety of services for all types of customers. For most client websites, a typical Website Hosting account will be the best option. Sometimes referred to as shared hosting, this gives you some space on a server to upload your websites files, content, databases, etc. You get allocated a certain amount of resources, and you share the resources of the large, powerful hosting server with other clients. While each website hosted on HostPoppy is isolated from the other websites, thanks to our CloudLinux servers, this resource sharing allows for a very low cost, easy to use service.
How Domain Names and Web Hosting Work Together
While domain names and web hosting are separate services, they work in tandem to make websites accessible. Let’s follow the journey of a web request for you to better understand how this all works.
The Journey of a Web Request
1. Domain Entry: A user types `www.example.com` into their browser.
2. DNS Lookup: The browser queries the DNS to find the IP address associated with `example.com`.
3. Server Connection: The browser connects to the web hosting server at the retrieved IP address.
4. HTTP Request: The browser requests the website's files from the server.
5. Content Delivery: The server sends the files back to the browser.
6. Page Rendering: The browser renders the website for the user to view.
Conclusion
Understanding the roles of domain names and web hosting is crucial for establishing an online presence. A domain name serves as the address of your website, making it easy for users to find you, while web hosting provides the space and resources needed to store your website's content.
By effectively managing both, you ensure that your website is accessible, performant, and provides a seamless experience for your visitors. Whether you're launching a personal blog or a complex e-commerce platform, the synergy between your domain name and web hosting forms the foundation of your online identity.
Embarking on your online journey is an exciting venture. With the right domain name and web hosting plan, you're well on your way to reaching a global audience. And by partnering with HostPoppy, your website is in good hands, and we’re ready to help you set up your domain name and web hosting account.