If you are building an online presence for your business or launching a personal blog, you may have come across the words domain name and hosting. 

Having a strong digital authority is like opening a new shop. You need an address where people can find you and a store where you can display what you are selling. 

The same case applies to the domain name and hosting. One provides an online address, and the other stores everything your visitors see when they visit your website.

Dive in and get insights about domain name vs hosting.

What is a Domain Name?

A domain is what makes it possible to find a website on the internet without using complex strings of numbers known as IP addresses. 

Domain names make it easy for users to access businesses, blogs, and other resources on websites. 

Examples of domain names are: 

• google.com
• yourbusiness.co.za

As such, a domain name is more than a website address. It is also your brand’s identity.

Your domain does more than make it easy for users to find you; it gives customers a first impression of what you are all about. 

A domain name also influences SEO (search engine optimization). It can make it easy for you to have more visitors on your website. 

Usually, if you want a domain name, you have to register it and renew it, mostly annually. 

Tip: If you want to register a domain name that will elevate your brand and boost your search engine rankings, choose one that is short and memorable.

Have a few domain names in mind and want to look them up? Check whether they are available here.

Domain Name Structure

A domain name has several parts that play different roles. Dots separate these parts. Here’s a simple breakdown with an example:

The basic structure is: subdomain. Second-level domain. top-level domain

For example: blog.yourbusiness.co.za 

Domain name part	Example	Purpose
Subdomain	blog	Organizes sections of a website. It is optional
Second-level domain	yourbusiness	brand / website name
Top-level domain	co.za	extension

Domain Name Extensions

There are different types of domain name extensions. Sometimes, it can be confusing.

If you are unsure of which domain name extension to use, here’s a breakdown of some of the popular extensions and their purpose: 

Domain extension	Purpose	Example
.com	Commercial websites: professional, trustworthy, global standard	store.com
.org	Community, organizations, non-profits	charity.org
.net	Networks, tech	hosting.net
.co.za	South African webpage, business	yoursite.co.za
.blog	professional/personal blog	lifestyle.blog
.app	Mobile apps	game.app
.edu	Educational institutions	courses.edu

Having the right domain name extension can tell customers or users what you are all about.

Also, the right extension can help build digital trust. For example, a .com extension appeals to a global standard. 

What is Hosting?

Web hosting provides the digital storage space where all your website’s files live, keeping them available for visitors around the clock.

Hosting is a 24/7 service that ensures access to the materials on your website at any time of the day.

When a visitor types your domain name in a browser, your hosting server delivers the stored files to their device.

Types of Web Hosting

There are several types of web hosting, and each one is ideal for different purposes: 

Shared Hosting

In a shared hosting environment, different websites coexist on one server, each utilizing portions of its available memory.

It is a budget option and is an excellent option for: 

• Portfolios 
• Blogs
• Small businesses
• Websites with medium traffic

VPS Hosting (Virtual Private Server)

VPS hosting is an improved option for shared hosting. It is less crowded and has a virtual partition of a physical server.

It is ideal for: 

• E-commerce stores
• Websites with 50k+ visits/month
• Growing businesses

Dedicated Hosting

Dedicated hosting offers an entire server exclusively for you. It is perfect for: 

• High-traffic websites
• Big enterprises
• Resource-intensive apps

Cloud Hosting

Cloud hosting utilizes multiple connected servers to host your website. It is suitable for: 

• SaaS applications
• Unpredictable traffic
• E-commerce stores

How to Choose the Right Web Hosting

When choosing the ideal web hosting, consider the following: 

• The expected website traffic
• Your budget
• The size of your website, pages, and media content
• Technical demands of the website
• Future growth

If you are starting a South African website, a shared hosting plan can work for you.

For example, the R33 / month truehost starter pack has some interesting perks such as: 30GB SSD storage, free SSL, free .co.za domain (annual plan), unlimited email accounts, 1-click WordPress install, among others. 

Domain Name vs Hosting (Key Differences)

Domain name and hosting have different roles in ensuring your website is working and accessible to visitors.

Think of a domain name as an address to a house, and hosting as the house where you can store your belongings. 

Here’s a quick comparison of domain and hosting: 

Feature	Domain Name	Hosting
Purpose	Web address	Website storage
Needed for the website?	yes	yes
Renewal	yearly	monthly / yearly
Example	yourbusiness.co.za	Server storage

Which One Do I Need For a Website?

You need both.

Your domain name guides visitors on how to find you, while hosting stores everything on your website and ensures that your visitors can access files when they visit the website.

You cannot separate a domain name and hosting. They need each other for a website to be functional.

How Domain Names and Hosting Work Together

Domain names and hosting collaborate in this way:

• Register your domain name 
• Choose a hosting plan that serves your needs and purchase it
• Connect the domain name to hosting via DNS settings
• Upload your website files or use a website builder like WordPress
• Go live

If you’re new to domain name registration and hosting, don’t worry. Most service providers offer support during the process.

For instance, at Truehost we offer 24/7 live chat support in case you are stuck or have questions.

How Much is a Domain Name?

Remember how we mentioned the different domain name extensions and where to use them? Domain name prices vary depending on the extension. 

For example, at Truehost, the .com domain name registration is R150, and renewal for one year is R180. The same domain registrar offers R50 for a .co.za registration and R80 for renewal.

How Much Is Web Hosting?

Hosting costs depend on the package. Different packages offer diverse features to suit diverse needs.

Here’s the price comparison for packages you can consider: 

Plan	Cost/month	Best for
Starter	R35	Blogs, small websites, portfolios
Pro	R70	Business websites, blogs
Unlimited	R500	eCommerce, agencies

Other types of web hosting will cost considerably more (VPS Hosting and Dedicated Servers)

Final Thoughts

A domain name is an online address where people locate you, while hosting the space where your website lives. You cannot dispose of either: 

• No domain name? No one can find your website.
• No hosting? There will be nothing to see when you have visitors on your website.

You need a short, memorable domain name and a reliable hosting service that can accommodate the demands of your blog, portfolio, business, or corporation.

Ready to launch your digital mark? Get your domain and hosting today!