Domain vs Hosting

When you’re just starting with websites, one of the first questions that comes up is:
What’s the difference between a domain and hosting?

Don’t worry—let’s break it down step by step with real-life examples.

Imagine Your Website as a House

• Domain = Address (like “123 Main Street”)

• Hosting = Land + House (the actual space where your furniture, rooms, and files live)

So, when someone types your domain (example.com), the internet uses that address to find your hosting server, where your website files are stored.

What is a Domain?

• A domain is your website’s name on the internet.

• Example: google.com, amazon.in, sizeworld.in

• It’s easy to remember compared to numbers like 192.168.1.1.

Without a domain, people would need to type an IP address to reach your website (and no one wants to remember numbers!).

What is Hosting?

• Hosting is a server (computer) that stores all your website’s files, images, databases, etc.

• When someone visits your domain, the hosting sends back the files and loads the website.

Think of hosting as the space on the internet where your website lives.

 How Do They Work Together?

1. You buy a Domain (like your address).

2. You buy hosting (like renting land + house).

3. You connect the domain to hosting using Name Servers (DNS).

4. Now, when someone types your domain, it directs them to your hosting and displays your website.

Quick Example

• You buy the domain: mycakeshop.com

• You buy hosting from: Hostinger / Space9X / SiteGround

• You connect them → Now, people visiting mycakeshop.com see your website files stored on hosting.

Summary

• Domain = Website Name (Address)

• Hosting = Storage Space (House)

• You need both for a working website.