Web hosting and domain name are two distinct elements when it comes to creating an e-commerce store. Although both are necessary to launch an e-commerce store, they serve different purposes and are often confused. In this article, we will explain the difference between hosting and a domain name and their respective importance.
What is web hosting?
Hosting refers to the location where the files of the e-commerce store are stored and accessible online. It is essentially a storage space on a server connected to the Internet. Hosting is provided by web hosting companies, which manage the servers and technologies necessary to make e-commerce stores accessible online.
When you pay for web hosting, you are renting space on a server to store the files of your website. This space is typically provided with additional features such as databases, email accounts, SSL certificates, etc.
It is important to choose the right hosting for your e-commerce store, as it affects the speed and reliability of your online shop. Cheap hosting options may seem attractive, but they can have slow loading times, reduced availability, or even security issues.
What is a domain name?
A domain name is simply the Web address or URL (Uniform Resource Locator) that internet users use to access a website. For example, "prestashop.com" is a domain name. Domain names are purchased from companies that manage the sale and registration of domain names. Sometimes, it concerns the same companies that sell hosting solutions.
The choice of a domain name is important as it represents the online identity of the business, organization, or individual who owns the website. It should be easy to remember, type, and pronounce. Domain names can also affect the organic search engine optimization (SEO) of a website, that is to say, its ability to be found and ranked by search engines.
To remember
Web hosting and domain name registration are two distinct yet complementary elements when it comes to creating an e-commerce store.
- Hosting is the location where the store's files are stored.
- The domain name is the web address used to access the store.
It is important to choose the right domain name and the appropriate hosting to ensure the visibility, reliability, and security of your e-commerce store.