What is a Domain Name?

In essence, a domain name serves as the internet address for your website. It’s a distinctive name that distinguishes your website and makes it accessible to users. A domain name entered into your browser is translated into an IP address that is used to find the server hosting your website. For instance, your browser converts “google.com” into an IP address (172.217.1.46) that is then used to find Google’s server.

The top-level domain (TLD) and the second-level domain make up a domain name. (SLD). The TLD is the component of a domain name that comes after the dot, such as.com,.org,.net, and so forth. The SLD, which comes before the dot, contains the specific name that distinguishes your website. For instance, “example” is the SLD and “.com” is the TLD in the domain name “example.com”.

Why is Choosing the Right Domain Name Important?

Because it can affect your website’s visibility, brand awareness, and search engine optimization, picking the appropriate domain name is crucial. (SEO). Your domain name ought to be memorable, pertinent to your company or brand, and distinct. Additionally, it should be simple to say and spell so that potential visitors may locate your website with ease. Additionally, because it’s one of the things search engines take into account when ranking websites, your domain name may have an impact on your website’s SEO.

What is a Server Name?

The name assigned to the server that hosts your website is referred to as a server name or hostname. In order to retrieve the website’s files and data when someone visits your website, their computer talks with the server. The server name is essentially the server’s internet address. A server name might be “www.example.com” or “mail.example.com,” for instance.

Users typically don’t directly interact with server names because they are typically used for administrative purposes alone. However, as it’s required for setting up and maintaining your website, understanding your server name is crucial. To connect to your server and upload files to your website, for instance, you’ll need to know your server name.

What’s the Difference Between a Domain Name and a Server Name?

A domain name is used to identify your website, but a server name is used to identify the server that hosts your website. This is the key distinction between a domain name and a server name. A server name is comparable to a flat number in a building, whereas a domain name is like the street address of your website.

Another significant distinction is that server names are typically set up by the web hosting provider that serves your website, whereas domain names are typically registered with a domain registrar. Your website will be given a server name when you join up for a web hosting provider.

Finally, server names are typically exclusively visible to website managers and hosting companies, whereas domain names are typically public and open to anybody who wants to view your website.

Conclusion

Anyone hoping to build a successful website must comprehend the distinction between domain names and server names. Despite their similar resemblance, they have various functions and applications. A server name is the address of the server that hosts your website, whereas a domain name is the address of your website. You can make sure that your website is accessible, simple to locate, and well-managed by picking the appropriate domain name and being aware of your server name.

It’s crucial to choose a domain name that is short, useful, and simple to remember. Use of hyphens, digits, or other special characters can make your domain name difficult to remember or type. Select a TLD that is pertinent to your brand or company as well. Using a.org TLD, for instance, might assist your non-profit organisation build credibility and trust with potential supporters.

Once your domain name has been registered, you must link it to a web hosting service. Your server name will now be used. You’ll need to use the server name provided by your hosting company to connect to your server and manage your website.

It’s crucial to check that your domain name and server name are configured properly while setting up your website. Setting up your DNS (domain name system) records, which instruct the internet where to find your website, is part of this process. The SEO of your website may suffer if your DNS records are configured incorrectly and make it difficult to visit your website.

In conclusion, despite their apparent similarity, server names and domain names have distinct functions and applications. Anyone who wants to build a successful website must comprehend the differences between the two. You can make sure that your website is accessible, simple to locate, and well-managed by picking the appropriate domain name and being aware of your server name.

Before building a website, it’s essential to comprehend how the two components differ because they complement one another.

Everything you need to know about domains and hosting, including how they operate and how they differ from one another, will be covered in this article.

What is a Domain Name?

When someone types your website’s address into their browser’s URL bar to view it, they are using your domain name as the address.

In other words, if your website were a house, the address would be your domain name.

Let’s now go on to the in-depth explanation.

In essence, the Internet is a vast network of computers that are linked together by cables. Each machine is given a set of digits called an IP Address in order to be quickly identified.

This IP address is made up of a string of digits and dots. Typically, IP addresses appear as follows: 66.249.66.1

These numbers are simple for computers to recognise and retain. However, it is impossible for people to memorise these numbers and use them to log into websites on the internet.

The creation of domain names was a solution to this issue.

How domain names work

Words can be used in domain names, which makes website addresses simple to remember.

You no longer need to type a string of numbers into a web browser to visit a website. Instead, you might use a domain name that is simple to remember.

Check out our article on how to pick the ideal domain name as well. It offers guidance on selecting the appropriate domain extension, coming up with a memorable domain name for your small business, and other topics.

Describe web hosting.

All of your website’s files are stored on a web server. It is comparable to your website’s actual residence.

If your domain name were the address of your home, then web hosting would be the real home that address leads to.

Every internet-based website requires web hosting.

Your domain name is converted into the computer’s IP address when someone types it into a browser to access your website.

Your website’s files are stored on this machine, which is often referred to as a hosting server, and it sends those files back to the users’ web browsers.

Keeping and delivering websites is their area of expertise. Their customers can choose from a variety of hosting options, such as shared hosting, VPS hosting, managed WordPress hosting, cloud hosting, eCommerce hosting, and more.

For additional information on selecting the best hosting for your website, see our post on WordPress hosting.

What connections exist between domain names and hosting?

Web hosting and domain names are two distinct services. However, they collaborate to enable websites.

A domain name system functions essentially as a big, continuously updated address book. Each domain name has the address of the web hosting provider where the website’s files are kept.

People cannot find your website without domain names, and you cannot create a website without web hosting.

Because of this, a lot of reputable domain name registrars also provide web hosting services.

What is Required to Create a Website? Website hosting or a domain name?

You will require a domain name and a web hosting account in order to create a website.

When you purchase a domain name on your own, you can only use it for a limited time. (usually one year).

To store the files for your website, you need web hosting. You must alter the settings for your domain name to point to your web hosting company once you have hosting.

Additionally, you can purchase both hosting and a domain from the same business. Web hosting typically costs $7.99 per month, while domain names typically cost $14.99 per year.

This may seem overwhelming if this is your first website.

Fortunately, Bluehost, a hosting company that WordPress officially recommends, has agreed to give our users a free domain name and discounts of more than 60% on web hosting.

You can begin developing your website after purchasing hosting and registering your domain name. See our tutorial on creating a WordPress website for detailed step-by-step instructions.

Do I have to purchase them in a set? Or can I purchase each one separately?

Web hosting and domain names are available from two separate businesses. However, in such scenario, you’ll need to update the DNS settings on your domain name to point it towards your web hosting provider.

On the other hand, you won’t need to modify domain name settings if you buy your domain name and web hosting from the same business.

Additionally, using the same dashboard to manage and renew both subscriptions is significantly simpler.

You can purchase individual domain names from reputable domain registrars like Domain.com, Network Solutions, Godaddy, or NameCheap.

Is It Possible to Transfer My Domain Name to Another Company?

You can, indeed. When you register a domain name, you typically acquire the ability to use and transfer it anywhere you like.

Consider the following scenario: You acquired your domain name from Domain.com and your website hosting from Bluehost. To make managing and renewing your domain name simpler, you now want to transfer it to Bluehost.

That is simple to do. You can transfer your domain name by following the thorough, step-by-step procedures provided by both companies.

Note: Prior to starting the transfer, we advise you to wait at least 45 days after the domain name’s registration or renewal. Every time a transfer is started, ICANN, the global body in charge of domain names, requires a one-year renewal. You risk losing the renewal money for that year if you transfer your domain name before that time.

Is it Possible to Switch Web Hosting Providers Without Changing My Domain?

Yes, you can also do that. The domain name is yours, and you may modify its settings to direct it to any web hosting provider.

For instance, you might have bought your domain name and hosting from Godaddy and now want to switch to Bluehost. Simply moving files and data from one host to another will allow you to migrate your website. The next step is to change your domain name settings to point to your new web hosting company.

Another illustration is that you bought your domain name from WordPress.com. (See our guide on the difference between WordPress.com vs WordPress.org). You want to eventually switch to a self-hosted WordPress.org website.

To begin, you must open a WordPress hosting account. Your website can then be transferred from WordPress.com to WordPress.org. The last step is to simply change the domain name settings on WordPress.com to point to your new WordPress hosting company.

Can I switch the domain name of my website or move it to a different domain?

Once a domain name has been registered, it cannot be altered or changed.

However, you might wish to switch your website to a new domain if your business has changed and your present domain name is no longer appropriate. You will then need to buy a new domain name and connect it to your website.

However, it’s important to move your own website properly to a new domain. You’ll avoid losing the SEO and search traffic you’ve worked so hard to develop in this manner.

To migrate WordPress to a different domain without sacrificing SEO, refer to our instruction. Step-by-step instructions are provided for backing up data, setting up 301 redirects, notifying Google of a new domain, and other tasks.

We trust that this post has helped you understand the distinction between web hosting and a domain name. You might also find our assessment of the advantages and disadvantages of popular website builders for beginners or our guide on how to set up a free business email address helpful.