Website Hosting and Domain Names

Website Hosting and Domain Names are two different things.

It is possible to have a domain name, but not have a website, and to have Website hosting without a domain name.

To use an analogy. Let's use sticky labels and boxes.

A domain Name is like a sticky label and a host in like a box. We attach a label to a box to identify it, but we can also remove the label and attach it to another box.

When you purchase a domain name you effectively purchase a label, you then purchase a box (the website hosting) and so that it can be found you attach the label (domain name) to it.

If you decide you aren't happy with the website host (your box) because it doesn't provide the services you require you simply purchase a new box (hosting package) , remove the label from the old box and attach it to the new one.

Attaching the Domain Name to The Website

DNS (domain Name Server) is the mechanism used for finding websites on the Internet.

Every physical web server on the Internet has an IP address. When you register a domain name you need to tell it the IP address of the web server server that will be hosting your website.

All Good domain registrars give you access to your own entries so that you can (when needed) modify them.

Here are the DNS entries for one of my sites. The domain name is www.niche-website-guide.com and it points to my hosting provider bluehost.

You should also note that domain names aren't just used for website addresses they are also used for email see Website Hosting and Email for more details.

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