Domain versus hosting is the confusion behind half of the “my website is down” messages that are actually an expired name. The domain is the sign on the road. Hosting is the building. You need both for a normal business site.
Quick answer
Buy a domain for the name. Buy hosting for the files (or use Shopify for a shop). Point the name at the host. Renew both. That is the whole difference.
| Domain | Hosting | |
|---|---|---|
| What you buy | A name for a period of time | Space and software on a server |
| If it expires | The name can go to someone else | The site files stop being served |
| Shopify shop | You still connect one | Included for the shop |
| Company site | You register it | You buy it (for example Hostinger) |
Longer definitions: what is a domain name and what is web hosting. Connecting them: connect a domain to hosting. Choosing a host: how to choose hosting.
NP SoftTech’s Hostinger partner page sells the hosting relationship. Domain-only carts often miss hosting coupons. Read the terms.
Need both set up with the site?
