What’s the difference between a domain name and web hosting?
What’s the difference between a domain name and a web hosting plan?
Are you just starting out online and wondering if it is worth getting a domain name or web hosting plan? The two terms are very closely linked. Find out what they mean, along with our tips for creating your very own website.
What is a domain name?
Domain name definition
A domain name is a unique address on your website, making it easy for users to find it online. It generally consists of a name followed by an extension such as .com, .co.uk, or .org. For example, in “yourcompany.com”, your website’s domain name has two parts: “yourcompany” is the radical domain name, and “.com” is the extension. This name replaces the complex IP address of the server your website is hosted on. Historically, domain names were created to make browsing easier and more intuitive for your visitors.
Why a domain name is important for your online presence
Choosing a domain name is key to defining your online identity. A relevant and memorable domain name not only strengthens your brand image, but also inspires trust and makes it easier for users to find your website. What’s more, a well-chosen domain name can improve your SEO ranking on search engines, increasing qualified traffic to your website.
Choose the right extension for your domain name
Your domain name extension, also known as the “Top-Level Domain” (TLD), plays a key role in how your website is perceived. Extensions such as .com or .net are universally recognised.
There are several types of domain name extension.
Extensions linked to geographic areas (known as ccTLDs). Here are a few examples:
- .uk domain names for the UK
- .fr domain names for France
- .es domain names for Spain
- .it domain names for Italy
- and so on.
These extensions are recommended if your website is about an activity within a given geographical area. For example, if you have an e-commerce website that only sells in the UK, opt for a .uk extension.
Industry-specific extensions can be used to reinforce your website’s identity and expand your possibilities. For example, some domain names may already be registered with .com, but remain available when coupled with other specific extensions.
Here are some examples of extensions linked to certain sectors:
What is web hosting?
Web hosting plan definition
Web hosting is a service that allows you to store your website files on a server, making it possible to access your website online. When someone types your domain name into a browser, the server your website is hosted on sends the files required to view your website. In short, web hosting is the space where your website is “hosted” and available to users on the internet.
Why is web hosting required for my website?
A web hosting plan is essential for your website to be visible online. Without hosting, your website files cannot be accessed on the internet. Hosting not only ensures your site is available, but also offers the resources required for it to work properly, such as load speed, data security, and traffic management. What’s more, reliable hosting ensures your site stays online 24/7, providing an optimal user experience for your visitors.
Which web hosting plan should I choose?
There are several types of web hosting plan that each suit different needs. Shared hosting is a low-cost solution, perfect for small websites or blogs. VPS (Virtual Private Server) hosting offers more resources and flexibility, which is ideal for growing sites. Finally, for maximum performance, a dedicated server is recommended, giving you full control and exclusive resources. Your choice will depend on the size of your website, your budget, and your specific performance and security needs.
Why do I need both a domain name and a web hosting plan to build a website?
The role of a domain name in accessing your website
As mentioned above, the domain name is the address that users enter in their browser to access your website. It is a unique identifier that makes it easy to remember and recognise your website. Without a domain name, users would need to enter a complex IP address to find you. Basically, a domain name is the gateway to your website, making access simple and direct for your visitors.
The role of hosting in storing and distributing your website
Web hosting is essential for storing all the files, databases and content (such as text, images, etc.) that make up your website. It also plays a crucial role in distributing your website by making it available online at any time. Hosting ensures that your site is available to users, manages traffic, and keeps your data safe. Without reliable hosting, your website would not be visible or work properly on the internet.
How do these two elements work together to give you an online presence?
A domain name and web hosting plan are two complementary elements that work together to create your website . The domain name guides users to your website, while the hosting plan stores and distributes its content to visitors. Together, they make your website easily accessible, secure and functional online, guaranteeing a smooth and professional user experience. If just one of them is missing, an effective online presence through a website would not be possible.
The steps for reserving a domain name and choosing a web hosting plan
1 - How do I choose and configure a web hosting plan for my website?
At OVHcloud, you can choose a hosting plan to suit your needs from our wide range. Personal hosting is perfect for personal websites or blogs, while Professional or Performance hosting plans are perfect for more intensive websites, such as business or e-commerce websites. Once you have chosen, follow the instructions to configure your hosting plan, link your domain name and install a CMS such as WordPress to start building your website.
2- Registering a domain name with OVHcloud
Registering a domain name with OVHcloud is quick and easy. When you subscribe to a hosting plan, you will be able to register your own domain name. To do this, search for one you want in the relevant search bar. If the domain name is not available, other suggestions will be displayed. You can also find a list of our 800 available extensions on this page.
3 - Creating a custom email address with your domain name
Once you have your domain name, you can easily create a custom email address to enhance your professional image. With OVHcloud, you get a free email account with any web hosting plan or registered domain name. To configure your email address, follow our step-by-step guide on creating and managing your professional email accounts.
Additional options to optimise your website
Secure your domain name with DNSSEC protection
DNSSEC (Domain Name System Security Extensions) protection is an essential feature for securing your domain name against online attacks. It ensures that users can access the right website by checking the integrity of the DNS data. With OVHcloud, you can protect your domain name with our DNSSEC solution** by activating it in your customer control panel. This extra layer of security strengthens your users’ trust and protects your site against malicious hijacking.
Manage your database
A high-performance database is vital for getting your website to work properly, especially if you are using a CMS like WordPress. At OVHcloud, you can choose from a range of database management solutions, offering optimised performance, high availability, and increased security. Whether you opt for MySQL, PostgreSQL or MongoDB, you can easily manage your databases from the OVHcloud Control Panel to ensure your site is fast and reliable.
Use sub-domains to structure your website
Subdomains are a great way to structure your website, especially if you manage several separate sections or projects. For example, you could create the subdomain “blog.yoursite.com” for your blog, while keeping “www.yoursite.com” for your main page. At OVHcloud, sub-domain management is simple and flexible. You can create them directly from your hosting interface to improve the organisation and user experience of your site.
Free web hosting or a free domain name: you choose with OVHcloud
- Register your domain name with OVHcloud and get a free 100 MB web hosting plan, ideal for hosting an image or a lightweight PDF. What’s more, you get a free 5 GB email account, allowing you to manage your business communications with a custom email address linked to your domain.
Or
- Subscribe to an OVHcloud web hosting plan and get a free domain name for the first year.* Choose from 27 popular extensions and easily launch your website project!
Your questions answered
Can I change my domain name after launching my website?
Yes, you can change your domain name after you have launched your website. However, this can have SEO and traffic implications for your site. To minimise the impact, you will need to redirect the old domain to the new one. This will avoid any confusion for your visitors and preserve your ranking on search engines. Make sure that you also update all links, domain names and mentions of your old domain in your related content and services.
How long does it take for a domain name to become active after it has been registered?
Generally, a domain name will become active a few minutes after being registered, although it can sometimes take up to 48 hours for the DNS information to propagate fully on the internet. Once this propagation is complete, your domain name will be accessible from anywhere in the world.
Do I need to back up my website regularly?
Yes, it is crucial to back up your website regularly to avoid data loss in the event of a technical issue, hacking, or human error. With a hosting provider such as OVHcloud, you get automatic backup services for your files and site data. However, we also recommended that you perform manual backups at different levels to ensure maximum security.
What if the domain name I want is already taken?
If the domain name you want is already taken, you have several options. You can try another extension (such as .net or .org) or add a relevant keyword to differentiate your domain name. Please note that domain names from the secondary market can also be viewed when you place your order. These appear alongside the words “Sold by a third party”. This type of acquisition can be more expensive, depending on the level of demand for these specific domain names, as the price is set by the seller.
How important is hosting for the security of my website?
Hosting plays a crucial role in the security of your website. With OVHcloud, you get protection against DDoS attacks, SSL certificates to secure transactions, and regular backups to restore your site if an issue arises. Our solutions are designed to protect your data and that of your users.
*Free for domain name creation and transfer for the first year, then renewal is charged at the annual price for the extension chosen from the following list: .fr, .com, .shop, .store, .tech, .me .live, .space, .xyz, .online, .site, .pro, .cloud, .blog, .name, .ovh, .boutique, .net, .org, .info, .eu, .re, .be, .it, .de, .co.uk, .pl. Not valid for extensions that are free to transfer.
**If the extension supports the DNSSEC option.