Domain and Hosting

🌐 1. What is a Domain?

A domain is your website's address on the internet that people type into their browser to visit your site.

📝 Example:

  • www.google.com

  • www.techdictionary.org (like your project!)

✅ Key Points:

  • Purchased through domain registrars (e.g., GoDaddy, Namecheap, Google Domains).

  • Domains are unique (no two websites can share the same domain).

💾 2. What is Hosting?

Hosting is a service that stores your website's files (like images, code, content) on a server and makes them accessible online.

👉 Think of hosting as renting space on a computer (server) that’s connected to the internet 24/7.

✅ Types of Hosting:

Type
Description
Example Use

Shared Hosting

Multiple websites share one server

Small websites, blogs

VPS (Virtual Private Server)

Shared server but with isolated resources

Growing sites, apps

Dedicated Hosting

Whole server for one site

Large businesses, high traffic

Cloud Hosting

Scalable, distributed servers

Startups, flexible needs (e.g., AWS, Google Cloud)

Managed WordPress Hosting

Specialized for WordPress

WordPress sites needing optimization

🎯 Famous Hosting Providers:

  • Bluehost

  • HostGator

  • SiteGround

  • DigitalOcean

  • AWS (Amazon Web Services)

  • Google Cloud

  • Linode

  • Vultr

🖥️ 3. What is a Server?

A server is a powerful computer that:

  • Stores your website’s files and database.

  • Handles requests from visitors (e.g., when someone visits yourwebsite.com).

  • Runs the software needed (like Apache, Nginx, PHP, MySQL).

✅ Types of Servers:

  • Web Servers (serve website content).

  • Mail Servers (handle email, e.g., SMTP for outgoing mail).

  • Database Servers (manage databases like MySQL, PostgreSQL).

🔗 How Domain, Hosting, and Server Work Together:

  1. Domain Name (e.g., yourwebsite.com) → Connects to

  2. DNS (Domain Name System) → Points to

  3. Hosting Server IP Address → Loads

  4. Website Files/Database on Server → Shown to the visitor

💡 Example Flow:

  • You buy a domain yourstore.com.

  • You get hosting (e.g., from Bluehost or AWS).

  • Hosting provider gives you an IP address and space.

  • You connect domain to hosting via DNS settings.

  • Website is live and ready for users!

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