The two main elements that run a website are web hosting and domain registration. However, it is important to understand the difference between the two before you run to domain registration companies in India.
Web hosting is an account on a computer that can store and serve website files through the medium of internet. On the other hand, domain registration is a leasing human readable word that directs people to specific website files through the medium of a browser. In short, domain is basically an address on the internet, while hosting is the land or area where your website files live.
How hosting and domain works?
Most often you will find domain Registration Company in India pairing up web hosting with it. However, it is important to understand their working separately.
Domain registration
Generally, the internet addresses are IP addresses which are a long series of numbers that actually makes no sense to the normal humans. Being a website owner, you can register your domain that will route to that specific address. A domain does not have the power to do anything on its own. Unless and until you register it, the domain cannot work. You can ask a domain to redirect it to another website.
Web hosting
Web hosting is an account on your server that asks you to host your website files on its platform. You can get access to web hosting with the IP address numbers, provided you do not have a domain. Although you can technically build a domain on your own, however, most people prefer buying hosting from a hosting company.
A Web hosting company owns a bunch of pre-configured servers that they lease out according to different plans. You will get an instruction on how to point your domain to your hosting account. Also, you will be provided with information relating to software building and managing your website.
Pros and cons of buying domain and hosting separately
Pros
- Better long term pricing
- Easier to leave with fewer service commitments
- Companies generally specialize in one or the other
- Cheaper if the hosting project does not launch too soon
Cons
- Lose out on short term specials and discounts
- Not as convenient as using a single company
- Have to troubleshoot across different companies
- Extra configuration steps
So, once you are done with the buying process of your hosting, you can straightaway get the software installed in your account.