The Three Musketeers of Your Online Presence
Domain Host, DNS Host, and Website Host Explained!
🏠
Domain Host
(101domains.com)
This is the company where you register your domain name (like yourwebsite.com). Think of it as the land registry office where you officially claim your unique online address.
- Sells and manages your domain name registration
- Keeps your domain name reserved for you
- Allows you to specify who your DNS Host is
Simple Analogy: Like buying or renting a physical street address for your house. You own the right to use that address.
Key takeaway: Your domain host knows who you are and what your chosen address is.
📞
DNS Host
(The Internet's Phonebook - MD State Archives > Cloudfare > GoDaddy)
This service translates your human-friendly domain name (like yourwebsite.com) into a machine-readable IP address (like 192.0.2.1). It's the internet's directory service.
- Stores records that point your domain to the correct server
- Guides visitors to the right location when they type your domain
- Can be the same company as your domain or website host
Simple Analogy: Like a GPS system or phonebook. When you type in a destination (domain name), it tells your browser the exact coordinates (IP address).
Key takeaway: Your DNS host directs traffic to your website's actual location.
🏢
Website Host
(Your House on the Land)
This is the company that stores all your website's files and data (images, text, code, videos). Think of it as the actual plot of land and house where your website lives.
- Provides server space and resources for 24/7 accessibility
- Delivers your website's content to visitors
- Manages server uptime, security, and performance
Simple Analogy: Like the physical land and house you've built on your street address. This is where your actual "stuff" is kept and displayed.
Key takeaway: Your website host is where your website's content lives and is served from.
How They Work Together
1
You type yourwebsite.com
→
2
Domain Host says "Go ask this DNS Host"
→
3
DNS Host provides the IP address
→
4
Website Host delivers your content!
In a Nutshell
🏠 Domain Host
Your online address registration
📞 DNS Host
The internet's directions service
🏢 Website Host
Where your website actually lives