If you are a beginner trying to build your first ever website, some of the terms can make it feel like you need a tech dictionary just to get going. You might have heard that you need both a domain name and web hosting – but what exactly are they? And why do you need both?

In this guide, we will break down what a domain is, what web hosting does, and how collectively, they bring your website to life and make it accessible to the world.

What is a domain name?

A domain name is your website’s unique “address” on the internet. Just like you enter an address into a GPS to find a location, you type a domain name into your browser to visit a specific website. For example, google.com or facebook.com are domain names.

But why are domain names so important? Imagine if every house had a long, complex set of coordinates instead of a simple street address – it would be a nightmare to remember and find anything. Right? Websites and the internet work the same way.

Behind every domain name is a unique set of numbers called an IP address. An example of an IP address is 182.177.20.30. Now, would you rather remember a long string of numbers or a clear, catchy name like “www.mywebsite.com”?

In short, here’s the benefit of using domains: Domain names make it easy for people to find your website. They’re memorable and user-friendly, unlike an IP address which even you, the business owner, may have trouble remembering.

The role of DNS

Now, how does your browser know where to go when you type in a domain name? This is where the DNS comes in. DNS, short for domain name system, is like the internet’s address book. When you enter a domain, DNS locates the matching IP address and directs you to the right place.

Types of domain names

Domain names come with different endings, known as Top-Level Domains or TLDs. Let’s look at some common TLDs:

.com – The most popular TLD, usually for businesses aiming for a global audience. It’s well-known and trusted by users worldwide, so it adds credibility to a brand.
.ng – The country code TLD for Nigeria. If you are targeting Nigerian customers, then .ng is a great way to show that you are part of the Nigerian market, and build trust with local users.
.org – Often used by nonprofits, charities, and organizations. It’s a good fit if the site’s focus is on public service or community-building rather than business.
.store – As one would imagine, this TLD is ideal for e-commerce businesses. It instantly lets visitors know they can shop on the site.

What is web hosting?

If we think of the domain name as your website’s address, then we can consider web hosting as the actual “house” where all your website files live. In other words, web hosting, or simply hosting, is the space on a server where your website’s text, images, videos, and other files are stored.

A web hosting company rents out space on their servers, which can be used to store the files of different websites. By purchasing a hosting plan from the company, you secure a space on one of these servers for your website.

Types of web hosting

There are different types of web hosting to fit different website needs. For example:

Shared hosting – Multiple websites share space on the same server. It’s affordable and works well for small websites, but if traffic increases, you may run into performance issues.
VPS (Virtual Private Server) hosting – A step up from shared hosting, VPS hosting gives your website a dedicated portion of a server, so it has more resources and flexibility.
Dedicated hosting – Your website gets an entire server to itself, which offers high performance and control. Naturally, it costs more, but is best for large websites with high traffic.
Cloud hosting – Instead of a single server, cloud hosting uses multiple servers to keep your website up and running even if there’s a problem on one server. It’s flexible, reliable, and can handle growing traffic well.

Key differences between domain names and web hosting

By now you already know that you need both a domain name and web hosting to launch a website. But what is the difference between web hosting and a domain name? Let’s cover them below:

Function

A domain name is what people type in their browser to find you online. It’s mainly for identifying your website in a simple way.

Web hosting is the “space” where all your website’s files are stored. Without it, your site’s files wouldn’t be accessible online.

Payment and registration

You usually register and pay for a domain name through a registrar, on a yearly basis. This payment reserves your website’s address in your name.

The payment for the web hosting is made to a hosting provider, and can be monthly or yearly.

Renewal process

You must renew your domain name registration to keep it under your name. If it expires, someone else can claim it.

If your web hosting plan expires, your website files won’t be accessible, even if you still own the domain name.

Ownership

A domain name is like a leased address; you don’t own it outright but can rent it as long as you keep renewing.

With web hosting, you are essentially renting space on a server. The files are yours, but the server space is rented.

How web hosting and domain names work together

A web hosting and domain name collectively make your website accessible to anyone on the internet. Here’s a deeper look into how they work together:

You register a domain name with a domain registrar.
You choose a web hosting provider and sign up for a hosting plan.
You upload your website’s files to the server provided by your web hosting provider.
You update your DNS settings such that the domain name starts pointing to the server where your website is hosted. This step essentially maps your domain name to the server’s IP address.

Once all the above is done, your website is published on the internet. Here’s what happens next:

When someone types your domain name into their browser, their computer sends a request to a DNS server.
The DNS server looks up the IP address associated with your domain name. It sends this IP address back to the browser.
After knowing its IP address, the browser sends a request to the web server where your website’s files are stored.
The web server retrieves the requested files and sends them back to the user’s browser, which displays your website.

Without a domain name, people wouldn’t have a way to find your site. Without web hosting, there’d be no content for them to see once they arrive. This is why, for as long as you want your website to stay live, you need both a domain name and web hosting working together.

Once your domain and hosting are set up, you can easily build and customize your website with our reliable website builder, perfect for beginners.

Why choose DomainKing.ng for domains and hosting?

DomainKing.ng is the go-to place for anyone looking to build a website in Nigeria. Here is why:

Local Nigerian domains

DomainKing.ng provides local domain options like .ng and .com.ng, which make it clear that your site is locally focused and connected to the Nigerian market.

Affordable and reliable hosting

DomainKing.ng offers affordable hosting plans that are perfect for beginners. If you want strong performance without breaking the bank, look no further.

Easy website builder

With their drag-and-drop website builder, you can create a professional-looking website in minutes—no coding or web design experience needed.

99.99% uptime guarantee

What good is a website that goes down frequently? This is why DomainKing.ng provides a 99.99% uptime guarantee, meaning your website will be available almost all the time.

Free SSL certificates

Free SSL certificates are included with all of DomainKing’s hosting and web hosting plans. SSL keeps data secure and shows visitors that your website is safe.

Security-first approach

DomainKing.ng offers several security features, including: periodic automated backups, free malware scans, and DDoS protection. This keeps your website safe from common online threats.

Conclusion

Web hosting and a domain name are both essential for a smooth-functioning website. The domain name is your website’s address, whereas web hosting is the space where all your site’s files live. Working together, they make it possible for anyone to access your site at any time.