Domains & Hosting

What Are a Domain Name and Website Hosting?

If you are building a website, you will come across two terms almost immediately: domain name and website hosting.

They are both essential parts of having a website online, but they do different jobs.

Your domain name is the web address people use to find your website.

Your website hosting is where the files and information that make up your website are stored.

Think of it simply:

Your domain is your address.
Your hosting is where your website lives.

Understanding the difference makes it easier to choose the right website solution and understand what you are paying for.

What Is a Domain Name?

A domain name is the unique address people type into their browser to visit your website.

For example:

yourbusiness.co.nz

A domain is made up of your chosen name and a domain extension, such as:

• .co.nz
• .nz
• .com
• .org.nz

For a New Zealand business, a .nz or .co.nz domain can be a natural choice because it clearly identifies your connection to New Zealand.

Choosing Your Domain Name

Your domain name should ideally be:

• Easy to remember
• Easy to spell
• Easy to say
• Relevant to your business
• Consistent with your brand

Keep it as simple as possible.

Avoid unnecessary numbers, hyphens or complicated spelling if you can.

Your domain does not have to contain your main SEO keyword. A memorable business name is often more valuable than trying to create a domain specifically for search engines.

What Is Website Hosting?

Website hosting is the service that stores your website and makes it available to people online.

When someone enters your domain into their browser, the hosting service delivers your website to them.

If you are using a website builder, hosting is often included as part of your website plan.

If you are using another type of website system, you may need to arrange hosting separately.

This is one reason it is important to understand what is included when comparing different ways to build a website.

Domain vs Hosting: What's the Difference?

The simplest way to understand the difference is:

Domain	Hosting
Your website's address	Where your website is stored
Helps people find your website	Makes your website available online
Usually registered annually	Usually paid monthly or annually
Example: yourbusiness.co.nz	The service that stores your website

You need both for a traditional website to operate, although the way they are provided can vary depending on the website solution you choose.

How Do You Get a Domain Name?

You register a domain through a domain name provider or registrar.

Before registering one, check that the domain you want is available.

If your preferred domain is already registered, you may need to consider an alternative.

For a New Zealand business, you might consider:

yourbusiness.co.nz

or

yourbusiness.nz

You can also register other domain extensions where appropriate.

Choose the domain that makes the most sense for your business and is easiest for your customers to remember.

How Much Does a Domain Name Cost?

Domain names are generally an ongoing cost rather than a one-off purchase.

You typically pay to register or renew your domain for a set period.

The price depends on the domain extension and the provider you use.

Some website packages include a domain as part of the plan, while others require you to register one separately.

When comparing website costs, check whether your domain is included and what it will cost to renew.

What Is a .nz Domain?

A .nz domain identifies a website with a connection to New Zealand.

There are several .nz options, including:

• .nz
• .co.nz
• .org.nz
• .net.nz

A .co.nz domain is commonly associated with New Zealand businesses, while .nz provides a shorter alternative.

There is no single domain extension that is right for every business.

The important thing is to choose one that fits your business and is easy for customers to recognise and remember.

Do You Need a .co.nz Domain?

Not necessarily.

A New Zealand business can use a .nz, .co.nz, .com or another appropriate domain extension.

Your choice may depend on:

• Your business name
• Availability
• Your target market
• Branding
• Whether you operate internationally

If your customers are primarily in New Zealand, a .nz or .co.nz domain can make your local focus immediately clear.

If you operate internationally, a .com domain may also be worth considering.

Can You Have More Than One Domain?

Yes.

Some businesses register more than one domain to protect their brand or make it easier for customers to find them.

For example, you might register both:

yourbusiness.co.nz

and

yourbusiness.nz

You can then choose one as your main website address and redirect the other to it.

There is no need to build separate websites for every domain you own.

What Happens If Your Domain Expires?

Your domain registration needs to be renewed to keep control of it.

If you allow a domain to expire, your website and email services associated with that domain may stop working.

In some circumstances, the domain may eventually become available for someone else to register.

Make sure your registration details and contact information are kept up to date and that you understand when your domain needs to be renewed.

Do You Need Separate Website Hosting?

That depends on how your website is built.

With many website builders, hosting is included in your website subscription.

With other website solutions, hosting is purchased separately.

If you are comparing different website options, check whether the advertised price includes:

• Website hosting
• SSL security
• Website storage
• Backups
• Technical support
• Software updates

This will help you understand the actual cost of running your website.

What Is SSL?

SSL is a security technology that helps protect information sent between a website and its visitors.

Websites using SSL have an address beginning with:

https://

rather than:

http://

You will also usually see a padlock symbol in the browser.

SSL is particularly important for websites that collect information through forms, accept payments or allow customers to create accounts.

Modern website builders and hosting services commonly include SSL as part of their service.

Domain and Hosting for Business Email

Your domain can also be used for professional business email.

For example:

hello@yourbusiness.co.nz

This can create a more professional impression than using a generic personal email address.

Website hosting and email hosting are not necessarily the same thing, however.

Depending on your setup, your business email may be provided separately from your website.

When setting up your website, make sure you understand where your email is hosted and how your domain is connected to it.

Should Your Domain and Website Be With the Same Provider?

Not necessarily.

You can register your domain with one provider and host your website with another.

However, having your domain, website and other services managed in one place can make things simpler, particularly if you are managing the website yourself.

The most important thing is to understand who controls your domain and how your different services are connected.

What Should You Look for in Website Hosting?

If you are purchasing hosting separately, consider:

Reliability

Your website needs to be available when customers want to visit it.

Performance

Slow websites can create a poor experience for visitors.

Security

Your hosting provider should provide appropriate security measures.

Backups

Regular backups can help protect your website if something goes wrong.

Support

Good technical support can be valuable if you are not comfortable managing hosting yourself.

Scalability

Your hosting should be capable of handling your website as your business grows.

For many small businesses, a website builder that includes hosting can remove much of this technical management.

How Domain Names and Hosting Work Together

When someone visits your website, several things happen behind the scenes.

1. They enter your domain name.
2. The domain directs their browser to the appropriate website server.
3. The hosting service provides the website files.
4. The website is displayed in their browser.

You do not need to understand all the technical details to run a website.

But understanding the basic relationship between your domain and hosting helps when choosing a website provider or troubleshooting problems.

What About Website Builders?

A website builder can simplify domains and hosting by bringing several services together.

Instead of separately managing your website software, hosting and other technical requirements, you may be able to manage them through one service.

This can be particularly useful for small businesses that want to concentrate on running their business rather than managing website infrastructure.

When comparing website builders, check exactly what is included in each plan.

Domain and Hosting Checklist

Before launching your website, make sure you know:

• What your domain name is

• Who your domain is registered with

• When your domain needs to be renewed

• Where your website is hosted

• Whether hosting is included in your website plan

• Whether SSL is included

• Where your business email is hosted

• How your website is backed up

• Who to contact if your website goes offline

Keeping these details somewhere secure will make managing your website much easier.

Domain and Hosting: The Basics

You do not need to be a technical expert to understand domains and hosting.

The basics are simple:

Your domain is your website's address.

Your hosting is where your website lives.

Your website builder or hosting provider may manage much of the technical side for you, but understanding what you are paying for will help you make better decisions when setting up your website.

Once your domain, hosting and website are connected, you have the foundations you need to establish your business online.

Continue Building Your Website

Now that you understand domains and hosting, explore the other BuildAWebsite.nz resources to learn about website design, SEO, ecommerce and online marketing.

Start Building Your Website

Related Guides

• How to Build a Website
• Website Costs
• Website Design
• Website SEO
• Local SEO
• Ecommerce Websites
• Website Marketing
• Choosing a Website Builder