No matter who you are or what your website will be about, you need a website domain name and web hosting. Let me break each one down for you.
Website hosting is a service that allows you to store your website files on a server so that they are accessible online. When choosing a hosting provider, you’ll want to look for a company that offers reliable service with a good track record. You’ll also want to make sure that the provider has a good reputation and that they offer customer support in case you have any problems. Finally, be sure to compare prices between providers to find the best deal. For over a decade, I’ve used GoDaddy for web hosting and pretty much all of my needed web services. Recently, I switched to WP Engine because their platform is more streamlined, user-friendly, and easier to manage multiple websites.
How Does Web Hosting And Domains Go Together?
When you choose a hosting plan, you’re also choosing a domain name for your website. The domain name is the web address people will use to find your site. For example, google.com is a domain name, and the website hosted at that address is Google. The .com part is an extension. There are many types of extensions like .org, .net, .tv, .info, and so on. Dot com is the most popular.
Some hosting providers will provide you with a domain name or you can purchase one from a third-party registrar. The domain name is associated with the IP address of your host’s server, so when someone types in your domain name into their web browser, they are directed to your website files that are stored on that server. I know that got a little techy, so let me break it down like this:
Think of your house as a website. People can visit your house. Your domain name is the street address to your house (the location) and the inside of your house is like your web hosting (the place where all your stuff is stored and kept safe). You need both. They’re obsolete without one another.
How to Choose A Domain Name
Domain names can be a little tricky to decide on. You want something that is easy to remember and catchy, but also something that accurately represents your business. There are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind when choosing your domain name:
- The domain should be easy to remember and spell.
- The domain should reflect what your website is about.
- Try to avoid using generic terms like “net” or “web.”
- Make sure the domain is available and not already taken.
Once you’ve decided on a few possible domain names, it’s time to do a quick search to see if they’re available. You can use the WHOIS database to check for availability or use a Domain Name Availability Checker like the one from GoDaddy.
Domain names and web hosting are two essential components of any website. You need both in order to make your website accessible online.
Wanna learn more?
Download “Websites For Rookies” to learn how to create your first website without being confused by all the technical jargon and overwhelming number of options. In this quick easy-to-follow book, I’ll show you everything you need to know to get started with creating your first website the right way from the start.
