1. Domain:
A domain is your website's address on the internet (e.g., example.com). It is what users type in their browsers to visit your site. Domains are registered through domain registrars (like GoDaddy, Namecheap, or Google Domains) and typically need to be renewed annually.
Key points:
- Domain Name: The readable name of your website.
- TLD (Top-Level Domain): The suffix at the end, such as
.com,.net,.org, or country-specific ones like.co.uk. - Registration: You must register a domain name through a domain registrar. This can cost between $10 and $50 per year, depending on the popularity of the domain and its extensions.
2. Hosting:
Web hosting is where the files, data, and resources of your website are stored. When someone visits your domain, the hosting provider serves your website files to the visitor's browser.
Key points:
- Types of Hosting:
- Shared Hosting: Multiple websites share resources on a single server, which is usually cheaper.
- VPS (Virtual Private Server): A virtualized server that offers dedicated resources, providing more control and better performance.
- Dedicated Hosting: A physical server exclusively for your website, offering maximum control and resources but at a higher cost.
- Cloud Hosting: Websites are hosted on virtual resources pulled from multiple servers, making it scalable.
- Hosting Providers: Some popular hosting providers include Bluehost, SiteGround, HostGator, and DigitalOcean.
- Cost: Hosting prices vary depending on the type and scale, from $3/month for basic shared hosting to hundreds of dollars per month for dedicated servers.
How They Work Together:
When you register a domain, you link it to your hosting provider using DNS (Domain Name System) settings. The DNS settings tell the domain where to find the server that hosts the website's content.
Would you like to know more about domain registration, specific hosting options, or how to set them up?
