What Is a Domain Name?
Domain Name System, or DNS, is the friendly naming system for giving addresses to web servers and web pages. Somewhat like international phone numbers, the domain name system gives every server a memorable and easy-to-spell address. Simultaneously, the domain names hide the really technical IP address which most viewers aren't interested in.
Ex:-
Are some example of domains.
What Is Web Hosting?
Web hosting is a service that allows organizations and individuals to post a website or web page on to the Internet. A web host is a business that provides the technologies and services needed for the website or webpage to be viewed on the Internet. Websites are hosted or stored, on special computers called servers.
When Internet users want to view your website, all they need to do is type your website address into their browser. Their computer will then connect to your server and your web pages will be delivered to them through the browser.
Ex: - Bluehost, HostGator, Big Rock, iPage, etc are some of the best hosting providers.
Domaine Registration vs Hosting:
A domain name refers to the named address or identification label for your location on the internet. The domain name allows others to access your website directly with an easy to remember address instead of using a numeric IP address.
Registering a domain name secures that specific internet address. No one else can use that particular domain name on the internet.
Several companies offer stand-alone domain name registration. This allows you to secure a domain name without purchasing hosting services. While this will protect your domain name from being taken by someone else, it will not allow you to host a website or utilize email services with your domain.
Website hosting provides a powerful server, constantly connected to the internet with several high-speed connections. The server is managed by the hosting company so the hosting customers do not have to worry about server maintenance, upgrades, and configuration. They can instead focus on setting up and managing their own website.
Web Hosting Explained With Examples From Our Daily Lives:
Shared Hosting:
A shared hosting refers to a dedicated server that is shared by a large number of clients. The resources of the server are shared by a large number of clients. This makes it economical in terms of cost.
Illustration with an Example:
We all travel. Don’t we?
Shared hosting can be compared to a public Bus. Traveling in a bus instead of a private vehicle can be more economical as well as more environment-friendly. But the bus might have more halts thereby increasing the time of travel, and might even get crowded at times.
Pros: Economical, Easy to setup, Multiple accounts can be created.
Cons: Limited resources, Limited flexibility, Cannot use own customized software’s.
Reseller Hosting:
Reseller hosting is also a type of Shared hosting in which one can resell hosting under this own banner. The reseller package is mostly availed by IT experts who would like to make money by reselling web hosting plans. He can assign resources to his clients out of his total resource package. He also provides technical and after sales support to his own clients. The reseller pays the hosting company only the cost of the reseller plan. Whatever profit he makes above the cost of the plan is his to keep.
Illustration with an Example:
For all those who love shopping,
Shopkeepers / Retail outlets can be compared to Reseller Hosting. A retailer purchases goods in large quantities from wholesalers or manufacturers, thus availing bulk discount. Then he sells the goods to customers in small quantities thereby earning a profit out of it.
Pros: Cheaper compared to VPS and Dedicated, No need of server maintenance, Sell hosting under your own brand, more control as compared to Shared Hosting.
Cons: The customer of the reseller cannot contact the hosting company directly. They need to contact the reseller who in turn will have to contact the hosting company.
Virtual Private Server(VPS Hosting):
Virtual Private Server (VPS) Hosting is a type of web hosting in which a dedicated server is split over a number of Virtual Servers. Each user has fixed allocation of resources like CPU, RAM, HDD, etc. VPS are normally an ideal choice for customers who would like to have dedicated resources for themselves but cannot afford a dedicated server.
Illustration with an Example:
This example is for all the foodies out there. VPS can be compared to a large slice of cake. It is a part of cake and contains the same ingredients and flavor. The slice can be enjoyed by an individual and that too at a much lesser cost compared to the full cake.
Pros: Can be customized, Can be upgraded quickly and at a low cost, Root access.
Cons: Expensive compared to shared hosting,
Dedicated Server:
A dedicated server is used and managed by a single client. He has complete root access to all the resources of the server. It is best suited for large companies, banks, e-commerce, businesses, government organizations, etc.
Illustration with an Example:
A dedicated server can be compared to a private jet. The jet can be used to travel to any location as per your convenience. The only flaw would be the high costs.
Pros: Total control of the server and its resources.
Cons: Costlier as compared to other hosting types, Need to have the knowledge to manage a Dedicated Server.
Cloud Hosting:
Cloud hosting is the latest type of hosting that has become very popular in the last couple of years. Cloud Hosting is a virtual network created by a large group of dedicated servers. The basic concept of cloud is to pay-per-use. The resources in Cloud Hosting are normally auto-scalable making it an ideal choice for anyone and nearly everyone. It is a boon for seasonal websites.
Illustration with an Example:
Everyone uses electricity. Our electricity usage can vary on day to day basis. On a particular day, we might use few units of electricity, while on some specific days like weekends or special occasions our electricity usage may double or even triple. Suppose we have to buy electric units in advance every month, it will be pointless buying higher limits of electricity just because it might be required on weekends.
Here the concept of Auto-scalability comes into play. We have the option to use as many units of electricity as we require and pay for it at the end of the month. Same is with cloud hosting. The user pays only for the resources he uses.
Pros: Auto scalable resources, Economical, Pay-per-use, Quick Deployment.
Cons: Privacy might be a concern as all the data of a cloud is stored on a SAN.
Conclusion:
There is no one single solution that matches the hosting requirements for everyone. Each one needs to select the hosting package that best suits his/her requirement. The best webhosting package would be the one which fits the budget as well as provides optimum results.
I tried my best to explain you the types of web hosting with simple examples from our day to day lives. Suggestions and Comments would be most welcome.
Best Website Provider:
1. InMotion $3.49Price/month
2. HostSoch Rs.99.00Price/month
3. Bluehost Rs.249.00Price/month
4. Hosting Raja Rs.139.00Price/month
5. iPage $1.99Price/moh
6. BigRock Rs.149.00Price/month
7. JustHost $3.95Price/month
8. FatCow $3.15Price/month
9. Znetlive Rs.112.00Price/month
10. HostGator Rs.355.00Price/month
Thing You Must Consider Befour Getting a Web Hosting
Disk Space And Bandwidth or Website Space
Disk space refers to the amount of storage space assigned to you by the free web hosting provider. This space will be used to store your web site files, including text, images, audio, etc. files you use for your website.
Bandwidth refers to the amount of traffic that is allowed to access and leave your website. Access means every time a visitor types in your website name in their browser. Leave means every time a visitor receives something from your website, whether it be viewing a photo, listening to an audio clip or downloading a file.
Website Creator
If this is your first website and you have limited or no scripting experience, then look for a free web hosting provider that offers a free website creating application where you can create your website simply by choosing a template and adding in your own text and images.
Support And Uptime
You should always choose a free web hosting service with free, reliable telephone and email support.
While no host can offer a 100% guaranteed uptime (think problems out of their control, ie. city power outage), they should provide "just-in-case" measures to limit website and email downtime to a minimal. These measures may include 24/7 server and network monitoring, redundant hardware and network configurations, and onsite backup power supply. While you might not completely understand the technicalities of these, look to see if your free web hosting provider has these listed somewhere on their website. If not, ask them about it.
Pricing
If you're looking for a free web hosting provider, then you should expect to pay absolutely nothing for all the basic features listed above. You shoudn't have to compromise pricing with banner ads. Any free web hosting providers that forces ads on your website is a no-no.