What are domain names & hosting?

It's not an easy concept to get around initially. What is a domain? What if I have multiple domain names? What is hosting? I just want to get my website online!!

A common misconception is that all you need is a domain name, and your 'on the web'. This is not entirely true, it is only part of the process. The best way to describe it is to use the idea of getting to a company's place of business. It's a similar concept.

What is a domain?

A domain is like a street address in that it directs you to a certain place in the real world. A domain directs you to a specific place on the internet.
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Multiple domains

It can get even more tricky when you have many domains, but this is like leaving a forwarding address at your last residence. It redirects you where to go to find the place you are looking for.

What is hosting?

A street address is useless without a plot of land. Hosting is the same, it is essentially a piece of real estate online that you can build your website on.
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I want my website online!

You have a domain and the hosting set up, but it's still an empty plot of land. The website is the building and can be constructed with as many levels and rooms (pages) as you or your council (hosting provider) will allow.

Your domain tells clients where to look for you on the internet and your hosting provides a space to put your website. Just as a house requires an address and plot of land, your website requires a domain name and hosting.