What is the difference between a domain and hosting, who should own them, and what to check before renewal? A plain-language guide.
Two things are needed to put a website online: a domain name and hosting. They are often bought together, which is why many people treat them as the same thing. Understanding the difference helps you make better decisions and avoid problems later.
The domain is your address
A domain, such as yourbusiness.co.za, is the address people type to find you. It is also used for your business email addresses. Domains are registered for a period and must be renewed, or they can lapse and become available to someone else.
Hosting is where your website lives
Hosting is the server space that stores your website files and delivers them to visitors. Traditional hosting with a control panel suits many business websites, while some modern sites are better served by static or serverless platforms.
Make sure your business owns its domain
Your domain should be registered in your business name, with contact details you control. If a former supplier or staff member registered it in their own name, transferring it later can be difficult.
Questions to ask before you renew
- When do the domain and hosting each expire, and do they renew automatically?
- Who receives the renewal reminders?
- Does the hosting include email accounts, and how many?
- Are backups included, and how are they restored?
- Is an SSL certificate included so your site loads securely over HTTPS?
