Often people assume that buying web hosting is all it takes, but without your own domain no one can find your site. Others do buy a domain but don’t realise they also need hosting space for their website.
In short: domain and web hosting are inseparable but serve completely different purposes. In this article, we explain the domain web hosting difference in clear, simple terms so you’ll know exactly what matters for the next step in building your website.
Domain and web hosting – what’s the difference?
What is a Domain?
What is web hosting?
Common misconceptions about domain and web hosting
Conclusion
Domain and web hosting – what’s the difference?
To bring a website online, you need two essential components: a domain and web hosting. Yet many people don’t fully understand what these terms mean or why both are necessary.
The domain is the address where your website can be found on the internet (for example, www.yourname.ch). Web hosting, on the other hand, is the storage space on a server where all your website’s files are kept.
What is a Domain?
A domain is the address of your website on the internet. It consists of a name and an extension, for example yourname.ch or mycompany.li. You enter this address into your browser to visit a website.
Without a domain name, you would have to remember a complex string of numbers — the so-called IP address. The domain makes it possible for people to easily find your website and remember its address.
A domain is registered through a so-called domain registrar — a provider responsible for managing domain names. The registration is always valid for a specific period, usually one year and must then be renewed.
The cost is quite low compared to other expenses: for a standard domain such as .ch, .de or .com, you usually pay between CHF 10 and 25 per year. Only special or highly sought-after domain names, known as premium domains, can be significantly more expensive.
Before you can buy a domain, you need to check whether your desired name is still available. Each domain can only exist once — once someone has registered it, it’s no longer available to others. That’s why it’s worth searching for the right domain early on.
Below, you can directly check whether your desired domain name is still available and register it right away if you wish.
Find your domain
What is web hosting?
While the domain is the address of your website, web hosting provides the space where all your website’s data is stored. This includes text, images, emails, databases and all the technical elements that bring your site to life.
You can think of it like a house: the domain is the address you enter on a map, and the web hosting is the actual building at that address. If you only have the address but no house, you can find the place but there’s nothing to see. Only with web hosting does the “house” exist, where your website’s files can live. The content of your site, text, images and design, are like the furniture you use to decorate that house.
In short, web hosting is the technical storage space that keeps your website online and accessible around the clock. The costs are higher than for a domain because you’re not paying for an address, but for storage, server performance and continuous operation. Usually, hosting is billed monthly or annually, depending on the chosen plan and features.
At KreativMedia, we offer web hosting solutions designed specifically to meet the needs of modern websites. Whether you’re planning a small personal page, an association website or a professional business presence, our hosting gives you both domain and storage space from a single source — so you can fully focus on building your website.
Swiss web hosting
Everything you need for your website – fast, flexible and reliable.
- 100% Swissness
- Incl. Website Builder
- Professional support
Common misconceptions about domain and web hosting
What happens if I have my domain and web hosting with different providers?
That’s absolutely possible. A domain and web hosting are two separate services that are technically connected. To ensure a domain knows where to point, so-called name servers are used. They direct requests to the correct server where your web hosting is located.
So, if you registered your domain with one provider and host your web hosting with another, you simply need to update your domain’s name servers to point to your hosting provider. After that, everything will work as usual.
However, it’s generally easier to manage your domain and web hosting with the same provider. This way, you have a single point of contact for support and technical questions and everything can be managed from one place — just like with us, where we can assist you in both areas.
Is a domain automatically included with web hosting?
In most cases, domain and web hosting are offered separately, since they serve different purposes. A domain is registered through an official registrar, while web hosting provides the technical storage space for your website. Some providers offer bundles where a domain is included in the price, but that’s not the standard.
At KreativMedia, you can order both in one simple step. Your domain and hosting are automatically linked correctly, so your website is technically ready to go right away.
I bought my domain, so it’s mine forever, right?
Not quite. A domain is always registered for a specific period, usually for one year. After that, it must be renewed if you want to keep it.
At KreativMedia, domains are renewed automatically as long as they aren’t cancelled. This way, you don’t have to worry about renewals and you won’t risk losing your domain or having someone else register it once it expires.
I don’t need web hosting – I can just store my website locally, right?
In principle, it is possible to host a website on your own computer. However, the computer would need to stay powered on around the clock, maintain a stable internet connection and be properly configured. It also continuously consumes electricity and is more prone to interruptions or failures. For most people, this is not a practical or reliable solution.
Professional web hosting provides storage space on a server that is online 24/7. Since multiple customers share a powerful server, resources such as electricity and infrastructure are used efficiently. You also benefit from regular backups, security updates and a stable technical environment. In addition, a support team is available to assist you with technical questions or issues — something you wouldn’t have when hosting on your own computer.
Conclusion
Anyone planning to build a website should start by understanding the basics. It’s extremely helpful to know what a domain is, why web hosting is needed and how the two work together. This knowledge helps you avoid confusion and saves time when creating or expanding your online presence.
Having a clear understanding of these two areas makes getting started with your website much easier and if you ever need assistance, it’s always valuable to have an experienced partner who can support you with the technical aspects.
