web hosting and domain registration for beginners

What these terms mean

Web hosting is the rented space on a server where your site’s files live. Domain registration reserves a human-friendly name, like example.com, so people can find you. Think of hosting as the house and the domain as the street address.

How they work together

You point your domain’s nameservers or DNS records to your host. When someone types your domain, the request travels through DNS, lands on your host, and returns your pages. Many companies sell both, but you can mix and match.

Steps to get started

1. Brainstorm a clear, memorable domain; check availability and variations.
2. Register it for multiple years if possible and enable WHOIS privacy.
3. Choose a hosting plan (shared, VPS, or cloud) that fits your traffic and budget.
4. Connect the domain to your host by updating nameservers or A/AAAA/CNAME records.
5. Install an SSL certificate and publish a simple homepage.

Watch renewal dates, keep contact email current, and back up your site regularly.

Quick tips

• Prefer hosts with automatic backups and staging.
• Use strong passwords and two-factor login.
• Avoid unrealistically “unlimited” offers; read resource limits.
• Start small, upgrade as your needs grow.