What is the difference between a domain name and web hosting?

A domain and hosting are two fundamental components required to launch a website, but they serve different purposes:

1. Domain: A domain name is the unique address that users type into their web browsers to access a website. It serves as the online identity of your website. For example, in the URL "www.example.com," "example.com" is the domain name. Domains are organized hierarchically, with the top-level domain (TLD) being the suffix such as .in, .com, .org, .net, etc., and the second-level domain (SLD) being the unique name chosen by the website owner. Domain registration involves purchasing the rights to use a specific domain name for a specified period, typically on an annual basis, from domain registrars. You can register a domain name without necessarily having a website associated with it.

2. Hosting: Web hosting refers to the service that stores the files and data of a website on servers connected to the internet. When users access your website by typing in the domain name, the hosting server delivers the website content to their web browsers. Hosting providers offer various types of hosting plans, including shared hosting, VPS (Virtual Private Server) hosting, dedicated hosting, and cloud hosting, each with different levels of resources, performance, and management options. The hosting plan you choose depends on factors such as the size and complexity of your website, expected traffic, and technical requirements.

In summary, the domain is the address that users use to access your website, while hosting is the service that stores and serves the actual website content. You need both a domain and hosting to make your website accessible on the internet.