When it comes to registering and hosting domain names most folks get confused. Most people tend to equate the two to be the same thing and the same product. This is further compounded by web hosting companies that offer the two products together.

You must be familiar with web hosting promotional offers that offer free domain names registration when one signs up for a given hosting package.

Let us put the confusion of companies that do offer the two services together to rest on this page. Hosting domain names and websites are two completely different products. Here is how:

Hosting Domain Names Vs Websites

Web hosting: Is simply the act of renting or leasing space on a web server that is connected to the internet. In return to the web hosting service, you agree to pay a certain amount of money as fees either on a monthly or annual basis to the web hosting company.

Hosting domain names: On the other hand it is a distinct IP address that makes it easy for both computers and humans to identify and differentiate one computer machine from the other. Read more all about domain name here.

Relationship Between Hosting domain names And Websites

Here is a simple illustration that will help you understand the relationship that exists between hosting domain names and hosting websites.

A domain name can be equated to be the same as your home or office telephone/cellphone number. Your friends, family members or visitors are able to find and communicate with you by calling that number.

Just like a phone/cellphone number, it's through a domain name that computers are able to communicate with each other.

Now, web hosting can be equated to the physical structure or building that is associated with a given phone number. The building enables you to store your furniture, personal belongings, work related tools and all that you'd want to store as long as it can be accommodated in the space available.

You notice that it's possible to transfer and move your phone from one building to another and still be able to keep the same number. Unfortunately the best you can do when moving from one building to another is to move with you your personal belonging.

Changes In Hosting Domain Names

You are free to do any changes pertaining to hosting domain names. You can transfer domains from one registrar company to another as long as you meet the required transfer qualifications.

I hope the comparison above has helped you grasp the concept of registering and hosting domain names and how the two are related. Read more about registering and hosting domain names here.