START WITH YOUR NAME
Domain vs Hosting: What Is the Difference?
Your next idea deserves an address of its own. Check real availability and compare the options.
A domain name is the address people type to reach you; web hosting is the infrastructure that serves the website. Most business websites use both, but they can be purchased from different companies. Email is another separate service that uses DNS to connect mailboxes to the domain.
Domain vs hosting at a glance
| Service | What it does | Example decision |
|---|---|---|
| Domain registration | Gives you control of a domain name. | Choose and register the business name. |
| DNS | Routes the domain to website, email and other services. | Point the website and mail to the correct providers. |
| Web hosting | Stores and serves the website or application. | Choose cPanel, WordPress, builder, VPS or another platform. |
| Email hosting | Provides business mailboxes. | Create addresses such as you@company.com. |
Can your domain and hosting be at different companies?
Yes. The registrar, DNS provider, web host and email provider can all be separate. What matters is that you control DNS and know which provider is responsible for each service.
Buying a domain does not create a website
Registering a domain reserves the name; you still need a website platform or hosting environment. Start with Domain Search and then use Compare Web Hosting or the Hosting Plan Selector to choose where the website should run.
Hosting does not always include business email
Website hosting and email hosting are separate product decisions. If you need professional mailboxes on the domain, compare Business Email Hosting and the Domain & Email Hosting guide.
What happens when you change DNS?
DNS records tell browsers and mail systems where services live. Changing a website record can move web traffic; changing MX records can move new email delivery. Document the current DNS before making changes and make sure the destination service is ready first.
Do you need to transfer the domain to change hosting?
No. You can usually leave the domain registered where it is and point DNS to a different host. Transfer the registration only when you have a reason to change registrars. If you do want to move it, see Transfer a Domain and How Long Does a Domain Transfer Take?.
Ready to register the domain?
Use the live domain registration page to search availability, compare current extensions and review registration and renewal terms before checkout.