Domain vs Hosting
What a Domain Name Does
Domain vs hosting comes down to a simple split. A domain is the address of a website, and hosting is the place where its files are stored and served. A domain name such as example.com is what visitors type into a browser, but it does not hold any pages itself.
A domain is registered with a registrar for a set period and must be renewed on schedule. Its main job is to point somewhere. The DNS records attached to the domain say which server should answer for that name and which server handles email. Changing those records can move a site to a new host without changing its name.
The server side of that arrangement is covered in what web hosting is.
What Hosting Adds to the Picture
Hosting is the server side of the arrangement. Your HTML, images, scripts and any database sit on a server that stays online, and web server software answers requests for them. Without hosting, a domain has nothing to point to, and visitors see an error instead of a page.
A useful comparison is a street address and a building. The address tells people where to go, while the building is where the business actually operates. You can change buildings and keep the same address. That is why one company may sell both, while the two remain separate things.
Hosting also has its own limits. Storage, bandwidth and processing power are set by your plan, and they affect how the site performs. The domain has no effect on any of that. For how a single plan can serve more than one site, see hosting several websites on one plan.
A Common Case: Two Services From Different Companies
A small clinic registers its domain with one company and rents hosting from another. The domain's DNS records point to the hosting company's server, so patients see the clinic's website when they type its name. Later, the clinic moves to a different host and updates the DNS records, and the domain stays the same. Patients notice nothing about the name, but the site now runs on new servers. The example shows why both parts are needed and why they can be managed separately.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to buy my domain and hosting from the same company?
No, but it is often convenient. Buying both from one company keeps billing and support in one place. It is not required, though. You can register a domain with one company and host with another, as long as the domain's DNS settings point to the host.
What happens if my domain expires but my hosting is still paid?
The site usually stops working under that name, even though its files remain on the server. Registries typically allow a grace period for renewal, but once it ends, the name can become available for anyone to register. Renewing the domain on time keeps the site reachable at the same address.