We are often asked by our readers to explain what is the difference between a domain name and web hosting? Many beginners don’t know that these are two separate things. In this beginner’s guide, we will explain the difference between a domain name and web hosting.
What is a Domain Name?
Domain name is the address of your website that people type in the browser’s URL bar to visit your website.
In other words, if your website was a house, then your domain name will be its address.
Now let’s get into the detailed explanation.
Internet is basically a giant network of computers connected to each other through cables. To easily identify them, each computer is assigned a series of numbers called IP Address.
This IP address is a combination of numbers separated with dots. Typically, IP addresses look like this:
66.249.66.1
Computers have no problem identifying and remembering these numbers. However, it is impossible for humans to remember and use these numbers to connect to websites on the internet.
To solve this problem, domain names were invented.
A domain name can have words which makes it easy to remember website addresses.
Now if you wanted to visit a website on the internet, you don’t need to type a string of numbers. Instead, you can type in an easy to remember domain name, for example, wpbeginner.com.
To learn more about domain names, take a look at our beginner’s guide on domain names and how do they work.
What is Web Hosting?
Web hosting is the place where all the files of your website live. It is like the home of your website where it actually lives.
A good way to think about this is if the domain name was the address of your house, then web hosting is the actual house that address points to. All websites on the internet, need web hosting.
When someone enters your domain name in a browser, the domain name is translated into the IP address of your web hosting company’s computer. This computer contains your website’s files, and it sends those files back to the users’ browsers.
Web hosting companies specialize in storing and serving websites. They offer different types of hosting plans to their customers. See our article on WordPress hosting to learn more about choosing the right hosting for your website.
How Domain Names and Web Hosting are Related?
Domain names and web hosting are two different services. However, they work together to make websites possible.
Basically a domain name system is like a massive address book that is constantly updated. Behind each domain name, there is an address of the web hosting service storing the website’s files.
Without domain names, it will not be possible for people to find your website and without web hosting you cannot build a website.
What do I need to Build a Website? Domain Name or Web Hosting?
To build a website you will need both a domain name and web hosting account.
Buying a domain name alone only gives you right to use that particular domain name for a specific period (usually 1 year).
You need web hosting to store your website’s files. After you get hosting, you need to update your domain name settings and point it to your web hosting service provider.
You can also buy both the domain and hosting from the same company. Typically a domain name costs $14.99 / year, and web hosting normally costs $7.99 / month.
If you are starting your first website, then this may sound like a lot.
Thankfully, Bluehost, an official WordPress recommended hosting provider, has agreed to offer our users a free domain name and over 60% off on web hosting.
→ Click here to start with Bluehost ←
Once you have purchased hosting and registered your domain name, you can start building your website. For complete step by step instructions, see our guide on how to make a website.
Do I have to buy them together? Or can I buy them separately?
You can buy domain name and web hosting from two different companies. However, in that case you will have to point your domain name to your web hosting company by editing its DNS settings.
On the other hand, if you purchase your domain name and web hosting from the same company, then you will not have to change domain name settings.
It is also much easier to manage and renew both services under the same dashboard.
If you want to buy domain names separately, then you can do so from top providers like: Godaddy and NameCheap.
Can I Move My Domain Name to a Different Company?
Yes, you can. Normally when you register the domain name, you own the right to use it and transfer it anywhere you want.
For example, let’s say you purchased your domain name from Godaddy and bought your hosting from Bluehost. Now you want to move your domain name to Bluehost, so that it is easier to manage and renew.
You can easily do that. Both companies have detailed step by step instructions that you can follow to transfer your domain name.
Note: We recommend you to wait at least 45 days after the registration or renewal to initiate the transfer. ICANN, the international organization that oversees domain names, requires one year renewal whenever a transfer is initiated. By transferring your domain name before that period you could lose that year’s renewal fee.
Can I Move My Website to Another Web Hosting Company Without Changing Domain?
Yes, you can do that as well. You own the domain name and can change its settings to point it to any web hosting company.
For example, you purchased your domain name and hosting from Godaddy, and now you want to move your web hosting to Bluehost. You can move your site from one host to another by simply transferring files and data. After that you need to edit your domain name settings and point them to your new web hosting provider.
Another example, you purchased your domain name from WordPress.com (See our guide on the difference between WordPress.com vs WordPress.org). Later you want to move to self hosted WordPress.org website.
First, you will need to sign up for a WordPress hosting account. After that you can move your site from WordPress.com to WordPress.org. Lastly, you will just edit your domain name settings on WordPress.com and point them to your new WordPress hosting provider.
We hope this article helped you learn the difference between a domain name and web hosting. You may also want to see our comparison of popular website builders for beginners with pros and cons.
If you liked this article, then please subscribe to our YouTube Channel for WordPress video tutorials. You can also find us on Twitter and Facebook.
This is a really informative post! Quick question – so my domain name and web hosting are both with Bluehost but I’m going to go elsewhere. When looking at other websites, I can choose the option for web hosting or WordPress hosting…is it the WordPress hosting option I choose? I have a WordPress.Org website. Also do you know how it works when you have a domain name up for renewal and choose to move it i.e. do you move this then renew it with the new provider or will the date of moving it be the start of the renewal?
If you take a closer look, some of the WordPress hostings are managed hosting: https://www.wpbeginner.com/managed-wordpress-hosting/
Your renewal date, even if you change registrars should be the same as with your first host
if you have a domain name and your own server that you built with a hdd that has all the files on it then why would you need web hosting to store your files it just don’t make no sense
Purchasing hosting means a user does not need to know how to set up a hosting environment that is able to be connected to on the internet.
Fantastic, i really love this blog 100%, may God bless you all.
Glad you like our content
Thank you for the information. Can i switch the names around? I bought both domain name and web hosting but i liked the web hosting name better. Can i use the names interchangeably?
If you reach out to your hosting provider they can help you use one domain while pointing the other domain to your primary domain.
I have a web hosting account with Godaddy but I don’t want to buy a domain name right now. What address would I have to type to view my web files in my hosting account if I don’t have a domain name?
You would want to reach out to GoDaddy for their current methods available to do this.
I thank you for your article. It has been informative. But I guess what I would like to know is the cost, bottom line. I mean after all the “first year” offers. I keep a budget for my business and I would just like to know what the final cost will be two years from now so I’m not surprised.
That would depend on your hosting provider, on their pricing pages they should state the cost for renewal or you can reach out to the host and they should let you know.
Yes this was an important step. When I initially started my website back in 2012 the instructions for a beginner self taught like me was very confusing. I started hosting from Bluehost but has a registered domain name through WP. So basically I’m paying hosting fees separately on top of the fees of $18 on WP. If I did miss it back then bluehost didn’t have its own domain name registration just hosting. Since I was using WP theme I used WordPress.com for this to point to my website files in bluehost.
Thanks for sharing, should anyone run into this issue now, once you wait 60 days you would be able to transfer your domain to BlueHost
Hello, so your post is helpful but i have a similar yet different question.
So i opened a blog on simplest today and bought my domain name, however i ‘tried’ to insert ads to my dashboard and now my simple site editor won’t load. Nevermind that, my question is, if i transfer my domain name to wordpress, will i be charged an extra fee on top of the one i paid for simple site and for my domain, or is wordpress free to use their platform as long as you have a domain name? thank you!
Hi Mia,
Please see our guide on the difference between self hosted WordPress.org vs free WordPress.com blog.
if i want to host my own website buying only the domainname is enough right?
Hi vijaynathan,
You will still need web hosting to store your files on a server.
Its really great article!!!
If i bought domain from Godaddy and host from hostgator, later i decided to change my host to bluehost, is that easy ?
Please guide me.
Thank you for explaining the domain vs hosting…very helpful info….
I have learn about domain and hosting from this post.This is a great article.Thanks for sharing this article.
Wow! The light came on and now i see.
I have subscribed and am eager to learn more.
Thank you!
Pls I have 2 Questions
1. If I signup for bluehost blog will it be seen on the browser as
mydomainname.bluehost.com or will it appear mydomainname.com
2. Can I buy my domain name first from bluehost and later host with bluehost
Hi Misheal,
It will be yourdomainname.com. Yes you can, however if you signup for hosting then you will get a domain name for free.
Thanks for the reply, i just started a blog with blogger. example.blogspot.com
Now How can i switch it to example.com?? Pls reply
Hi Misheal,
Please see our guide on how to move from Blogger to WordPress.
Hi – just to check so if I have a domain name with wix i can use that same name/ site to another web hosing?
Hi Jerry,
Yes, you can use the same domain name with another web hosting.
Great post. Thank you for covering up such topic in your article. It’s really helpful for all those who are confused by the domain name and web hosting.
Awesome and Analytical post, I have understood the relationship domain and hosting.
Another great topic, and the analogy you use, to address and actual home was inspired. And helpful. Please go on to a great New Year!
Hi Cassie,
Thanks for the feedback
That’s a major misconception of people with Domain and a hosting service. Both are different,