Domain vs hosting — the difference explained simply
A domain is your site's address, hosting is where it lives. What to buy first and how much it all costs.
The short answer
A domain is the address of your website (like mysite.com) that people type into a browser. Hosting is the server where the site's files physically live: code, images, database. Neither works alone: a domain without hosting is a sign without a building; hosting without a domain is a building without an address.
How they work together
When a visitor enters the address, DNS translates the domain into the server's IP address and the browser loads the site from the hosting. That's why after buying a domain you "point" it to your hosting — by setting NS or A records.
What it costs
- Domain — from $8–15/year for popular zones (.com, .net); country zones vary. Prices differ per registrar — compare before buying.
- Hosting — from $2–4/month for a shared plan that fits a small site. VPS and dedicated servers cost more.
What to buy first
Start with the domain: good names go fast, while hosting can be changed at any time. You don't have to buy both from one company — separating them is often cheaper and safer: if you fall out with your host, the domain stays yours.
The one tip that saves money
Check not just the registration price but the renewal price — the first year is often discounted, and from year two the rate can grow 2–5×.