When you create a website, you need two things to make it accessible to the public: web hosting and a domain name.
Web hosting is the service that stores your website’s files and makes them accessible to visitors. When someone types your website’s address into their web browser, their computer sends a request to your web hosting provider, which then delivers the requested files to the user’s computer.
A domain name is the address of your website on the internet. It is the part of the URL that people type into their web browser to access your website. For example, the domain name for UltimateWB is “www.ultimatewb.com”.
How do web hosting and domain names work together?
When you purchase a domain name, it is registered with a domain name registrar. The registrar then stores the domain name’s information, such as its IP address, in a DNS (Domain Name System) server. When someone types your domain name into their web browser, their computer sends a request to a DNS server, which then returns the IP address of your website. The computer then connects to your web hosting provider, which delivers the requested files to the user’s computer.
What are the different types of web hosting?
There are three main types of web hosting: shared hosting, VPS hosting, and dedicated hosting.
- Shared hosting is the most common type of web hosting. It is a cost-effective option for small websites. With shared hosting, your website’s files are stored on a server with other websites. This means that your website’s resources are shared with other websites.
- VPS hosting is a more powerful option than shared hosting. With VPS hosting, your website’s files are stored on a virtual private server (VPS). This means that your website has its own dedicated resources, such as CPU, memory, and storage.
- Dedicated hosting is the most powerful type of web hosting. With dedicated hosting, your website’s files are stored on a dedicated server. This means that your website has exclusive use of the server’s resources.
What are the different types of domain names?
There are two main types of domain names: generic top-level domains (gTLDs) and country code top-level domains (ccTLDs).
- gTLDs are the most common type of domain name. They are domains like .com, .org, .net, and .info.
- ccTLDs are domain names that are specific to a country. For example, the ccTLD for the United States is .us.
How to choose a web hosting provider and domain name?
When choosing a web hosting provider and domain name, there are a few factors to consider:
- Your budget: Web hosting and domain names can range in price from a few dollars per month to hundreds of dollars per month.
- Your needs: How much storage space do you need? How much bandwidth do you need?
- Your goals: Do you want to host a simple website or a complex website?
An important factor is also what website builder platform you choose, as not all website builders give you a choice on web hosting. UltimateWB is one of few website builders that does allow you to choose your own web hosting per the server requirements, as well as offer web hosting plans with free SSL, traffic statistics, and custom emails.
In Summary
Web hosting and domain names are two essential components of any website. By understanding what they are and how they work together, you can choose the right hosting provider and domain name for your website’s needs.
Got a techy/website question? Whether it’s about UltimateWB or another website builder, web hosting, or other aspects of websites, just send in your question in the “Ask David!” form. We will email you when the answer is posted on the UltimateWB “Ask David!” section
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