Key takeaways:
- Domain hosting gives your website an address, while web hosting provides the server space where your site’s content lives.
- Most websites need both a domain and web hosting to be accessible, even though they are separate services that can be purchased together or separately.
- Choosing the right domain and hosting setup depends on what you’re building now and how you expect your website to grow over time.
If you’re building a website for the first time, it’s easy to get stuck on the basics, especially when you keep seeing terms such as domain hosting and web hosting. They’re often mentioned together, sometimes interchangeably, and rarely explained clearly.
The truth is, they’re two different services that do two very different jobs. Once you understand how they work and how they work together, choosing what you need becomes much simpler.
This guide breaks down domain hosting vs web hosting in plain language, so you can confidently take the next step toward getting your site online.
Domain hosting vs web hosting
Domain hosting and web hosting are two different services that work together to put a website online. Most websites need both.
Domain hosting is about your website’s name and address. It’s the service that registers your domain (like yourwebsite.com) and tells the internet where that domain should point. Web hosting stores your website’s pages, images, databases, and media on a server and delivers them to visitors when they load your site. It’s all about your website’s content and files.
Basically, the domain tells people where to go, and the web hosting provides what they see when they get there.
A simple way to remember the difference is to imagine your website as a house in the suburbs:
- Domain hosting = the address of your house
- Web hosting = the actual house where your website lives
The other houses around you are other websites with their own addresses. Together, you all make up the internet.
Comparison table: domain hosting vs web hosting
While domain hosting and website hosting are closely connected, they solve very different problems. This side-by-side comparison shows what each service does, what you’re actually paying for, and why most websites need both.
Feature | Domain Hosting | Web Hosting |
|---|---|---|
What it is | A service that registers and manages your domain name (your website’s address) | A service that provides server space and resources for your website |
What it does | Connects a human-readable name (like example.com) to internet services using DNS | Stores and delivers your website’s files, databases, and media to visitors |
What you buy | The right to use a domain name for a set period of time (usually one year, renewable) | Storage, bandwidth, and computing resources needed to run a website |
What you manage | Renewals, DNS settings, nameservers, and optional domain privacy | Site performance, uptime, security, storage limits, and scalability |
Examples of providers | Domain registrars and DNS providers | Web hosting companies and cloud infrastructure providers |
Common problems without it | Visitors can’t find your site because there’s no address pointing to it | Your domain loads nothing because there’s no website to display |
What is domain hosting?
Domain hosting is the service that lets you register a domain name and manage the settings that connect it to the internet. In everyday terms, it’s how you claim a website address and control where that address points.
When people talk about “domain hosting,” they’re usually referring to domain registration plus DNS management, rather than a place where website files are stored.
What you actually get when you buy a domain
When you purchase a domain name, you’re not buying it permanently. Instead, you’re buying the exclusive right to use that domain for a set period of time, typically one year, with the option to renew it as long as it remains available.
That registration gives you control over:
- Who owns the domain
- Where the domain points (your website, email, or other services)
- Whether your personal contact information is public or private
Key domain-related terms, explained simply
Understanding a few basic terms can make domain hosting much less confusing:
- Domain registrar: The domain registrar is authorized to sell and manage domain names. Registrars handle registration, renewals, and ownership records.
- Domain Name System (DNS): The DNS connects your domain name to the correct server so visitors can reach your website.
- Domain privacy: Domain privacy protection hides your personal contact details from public databases like WHOIS, helping reduce spam and protect your identity.
Together, these services are what most people mean when they say domain hosting: registering a domain, managing DNS, and optionally protecting your contact information.
Importantly, domain hosting does not store your website’s files. To publish actual content on your domain, you’ll also need web hosting—which is where your site’s pages and media live.
What is web hosting?
Web hosting provides server space and resources to store your website and deliver it to visitors on the internet. It’s where your website’s files live, including pages, images, videos, databases, and other content.
When a user types your domain name into their browser, your web hosting provider:
- Loads your website’s files from the server
- Displays your content on the visitor’s screen
- Keeps your site available and accessible around the clock
Because of this, web hosting plays a major role in how your website performs. Your hosting quality affects site speed, uptime, and scalability. This is how fast your pages load, how reliably your site stays online, and how well it handles growth in traffic over time.
A hosting plan defines how much storage, bandwidth, and processing power your website can use. As your site grows, you may need to upgrade your plan to support more visitors or more complex features.
If you want a better sense of what influences pricing, you can learn more about web hosting costs and pricing factors.
It’s also important to note that web hosting is separate from domain registration, even when the two are sold together in a bundle.
Find the perfect domain
Ready to register a domain name? Check domain availability and get started with Network Solutions today.
How domain hosting and web hosting work together
Domain hosting and web hosting are separate services, but they need to work together. They’re connected through the DNS, which tells the internet where your website lives.
Here’s how the process works, step by step:
- You register a domain name
- You purchase a web hosting plan
- You update your domain’s DNS settings
- Your domain points to your hosting server
- Your website loads in the visitor’s browser
That DNS update is the key step. It acts like directions, guiding visitors from your domain name to the server where your website is stored.
If you already have a domain and aren’t sure how to connect it, this guide on what to do after you bought a domain walks through the next steps in more detail.
Mini glossary: common DNS terms
- Domain Name System (DNS): The system that translates domain names into the server locations websites use
- Nameservers: Settings that tell the internet which DNS service controls your domain
- A record: A DNS record that points a domain to a specific IP address
- CNAME: A DNS record that points one domain name to another domain name
Once your domain’s DNS is correctly set, visitors don’t see any of this behind the scenes — they simply type in your web address and your site appears.
For more domain name terminology, read our article on the Glossary of Domain Terms: The Ultimate Guide.
Which do you need: Domain, hosting, or both?
What you need depends on what you’re trying to do right now. Some situations only require a domain, while most real websites need both domain hosting and web hosting working together.
You need a domain only if …
You may only need a domain name if you’re not ready to launch a full website yet, but still want to secure your online identity. Common reasons include:
- Reserving a name before building your site
- Protecting a business or brand name from being taken
- Using the domain for email forwarding or a “coming soon” page
In these cases, domain hosting lets you control the name even if you don’t have a website live yet. You just park your domain to avoid losing it in the future.
You need web hosting only if …
Using web hosting without a domain is uncommon and usually temporary. Some hosting providers offer test or preview URLs that let you view a site before it’s live.
However, these temporary addresses:
- Are not easy to remember
- Don’t look professional
- Are not ideal for sharing or branding
For most people, web hosting alone is only useful during early testing, not for launching a real site.
You need both if…
If you’re launching a website that people should be able to find, remember, and trust, you need both a domain and web hosting.
The domain gives visitors an address to type in, and the hosting provides the content they see when they arrive. Without one or the other, your site can’t function as a public website.
Can you buy your domain and hosting from different companies?
Yes — and it’s completely normal. You don’t have to buy your domain and web hosting services from the same company for your website to work.
Some website owners choose to use separate providers, while others prefer getting everything from one provider. Both approaches are valid, and the right choice depends on what matters most to you.
Using separate providers
Buying your domain and hosting from different companies can offer:
- More flexibility if you want specific features from each service
- The ability to choose best-in-class tools for domains and hosting
This option can be a good fit if you’re comfortable managing a few extra settings, like DNS connections.
Using one provider
Buying your domain and hosting from the same company can make things simpler, especially if you’re just getting started. Benefits include:
- One account for billing, renewals, and support
- Faster setup with fewer technical steps
For many beginners and small businesses, this convenience outweighs the added flexibility of separate providers.
The good news is that you’re not locked in either way. You can move your domain or switch hosting providers later if your needs change, without having to start over with a new website.
Web hosting types explained
Different hosting types determine how many server resources your account gets and whether those resources are shared or dedicated.
Here’s a simple overview to help you choose without overthinking it:
- Shared hosting
- WordPress hosting
- Cloud hosting
- Dedicated hosting
Shared hosting
With shared hosting, your web hosting account lives on a server that’s shared with other websites.
It’s best for:
- Small websites and blogs
- New sites with low to moderate traffic
Shared hosting is the most affordable and manageable hosting option, but because multiple accounts share the same physical server, performance can be affected as traffic grows. Many sites start here and upgrade once they need more resources.
WordPress hosting
WordPress hosting is a type of hosting where your web hosting account is optimized on the server specifically for WordPress.
It’s ideal for:
- Bloggers and content creators
- Small businesses using WordPress
Because the server environment is tuned for WordPress, these plans often include automatic updates, built-in security, and performance optimizations that make managing a WordPress site easier.
Cloud hosting
Cloud hosting spreads your hosting across multiple connected servers instead of just one.
It’s a good fit for:
- Growing websites
- Sites with fluctuating or seasonal traffic
If one server gets busy, another can step in, which helps your site handle traffic spikes and scale smoothly as demand increases.
Dedicated hosting
Dedicated hosting means your website runs on its own physical server, rather than sharing space with other websites.
It’s best for:
- Large or high-traffic websites
- Resource-heavy or custom applications
Because the entire server is dedicated to your account, you get maximum performance, control, and customization.
What dedicated resources mean
Every hosting type comes with a different level of server resources assigned to your web hosting account. A simple way to think about them is like a kitchen:
- CPU: Processing power that determines how quickly your site can handle requests and run tasks. In a kitchen, it’s how fast you can cook.
- RAM: Short-term memory that helps your site load pages and run applications smoothly. If you’re cooking, it’s the equivalent of your counter space which holds the ingredients you immediately and constantly use so you don’t need to go to the storage every single time you want to use it.
- Storage: Space used to store your website files, images, videos, and databases. Basically, it’s your pantry where all your ingredients are stored for a long time.
The more traffic and features your site has, the more resources your hosting account needs—which is why pricing varies by hosting type. For a deeper explanation of each option, see this full guide to types of web hosting.
Domain name tips: what to avoid in a domain name
Choosing the right domain name makes your website easier to find, remember, and trust. Before you register a domain, it’s worth knowing what can cause confusion or problems later.
Here are some common things to avoid when picking a domain name:
- Hyphens and numbers that are hard to say or remember
- Misspellings or names that are difficult to pronounce
- Very long names that are easy to mistype
- Trendy slang or buzzwords that may feel outdated over time
- Names that could cause trademark or brand conflicts
A good rule of thumb is to choose a domain that’s simple, clear, and easy to share out loud. If people can spell it after hearing it once, you’re on the right track.
Domain squatting: What it is and how to respond
Domain squatting happens when someone registers a domain name, often a business or brand-related name, with the intent of reselling it later at a higher price.
This can be frustrating, especially when the domain you want appears unavailable. The good news is that you still have options.
What to do if your preferred domain is taken
If your first-choice domain isn’t available, consider these practical alternatives:
- Try slight variations of the name
- Explore different domain extensions (TLDs)
- Negotiate carefully if the domain is being resold
- Consider premium domains that are already registered for resale
- Use domain search tools to discover available alternatives
In some cases, businesses also choose to explore trademark or brand protection tools to help safeguard their name online. These options aren’t required for everyone, but they can be worth considering as your brand grows.
To read more on domain trademarks and brand protection, check out Are Domain Names Intellectual Property?
If you’re trying to look for alternatives, try using an AI domain name generator to help you pick a different variation of your name. Or, if you don’t have other extensions in mind, consider using our picks for stylish and unique top-level domains (TLDS):
Do domain names expire?
Yes, domains expire unless you renew
Domain names are only registered for a fixed period. When that registration period ends, the domain must be renewed to stay active.
If you miss a renewal, your domain doesn’t disappear immediately—but it can stop working. Your website and email may go offline, and after a series of grace and recovery periods, the domain can eventually become available for someone else to register. That’s why keeping track of renewals is so important.
Some hosting plans and promotions include a free domain name for the first year, but the domain still needs to be renewed after that initial period.
How to avoid losing your domain
A few simple steps can help make sure you don’t lose access to your domain name:
- Turn on auto-renew so your domain renews automatically every year
- Keep your billing and contact email address up to date
- Review your ownership and contact details in public records like WHOIS
For added peace of mind, some domain owners choose expiration protection services, such as Domain Expiration Protection, which add extra safeguards against accidental expiration or unauthorized changes.
Staying proactive with renewals helps ensure your domain—and everything connected to it—remains under your control.
Frequently asked questions
Does web hosting include domains?
Sometimes. Some hosting plans include a free domain for the first year, but web hosting and domain registration are separate services.
Can I have a domain name without a website?
Yes. You can register a domain without building a website. Many people do this to reserve a name, protect a brand, set up email, or display a “coming soon” page.
Is web hosting the same as domain hosting?
No. Domain hosting manages your website’s address, while web hosting stores and delivers your website’s files. Most websites need both to work properly.
What should I avoid in a domain name?
Avoid long or hard-to-spell names, confusing numbers or hyphens, trendy slang that may age poorly, and names that could cause trademark issues.
What is domain squatting?
Domain squatting is when someone registers a domain name—often a brand or business name—with the intent to resell it at a higher price.
Do domain names expire?
Yes. Domain names are registered for a set period and must be renewed to stay active. If a domain isn’t renewed, it can eventually become available for someone else to register.
Build your website on the right foundation
Understanding how domain hosting and web hosting work together makes it easier to plan your website with confidence. Your domain name is often the first step — it gives you a place on the internet and helps people recognize and remember you.
If you’re early in the process, registering a domain can be a simple way to get started without committing to a full website right away. It lets you secure a name you like, explore ideas, and move forward at your own pace.
When you’re ready, we can help register your domain with the tools that support it, so you have a reliable foundation in place as your website takes shape.
