What’s the difference between Domain Name Registrations and Web Site Hosting?

Domain Name Explained

Your Domain Name is like a mailing address which allows the post office to send you mail. If you want to know how to get somewhere, you need an address and your domain name is basically an address for people to find you online: www.YourName.com

Many clients ask if they should purchase a country-centric domain extension (where applicable). For instance, Canadians can purchase www.YourName.ca and this registry is only available to people/businesses in Canada. Similarly, a person living in the UK could purchaes www.YourName.co.uk. I think important to start with the user-friendliness of your domain name. And here are a few points to consider when choosing your domain name:

• Keep it Simple - you may not be Coca Cola (yet!) and need to think about branding yoru business. If you ever plan to place this name on more than business cards (i.e. screened on a vehicle, etc.) the name should be short enough and catchy enough to read–
• Memorable – would your domain name be memorable enough to recall if it were mentioned in a verbal conversation? if it’s a mouthful to say, it might be difficult to remember
• Spelling – try to keep in mind that you might have a clever name because you’re an exceptional wordsmith… but if your visitor is not, it may be difficult for them to type you in by memory

So with your name chosen, you essentially have an address in which you can send visitors to view your site. Next, you need a place to store the site itself!

Web Site Hosting Explained

The best way to explain a web host is this – it’s a publicly accessible computer. You may hear the term “server” — another word for a type of computer. Basically, it’s a computer server set-up to allow people to see the files stored on it. And once the Domain Name has been connected to the server, a visitor can type in your domain name and view the files (your web page) online.

There are codes, or name server records, which are provided by the domain name registrar. Sometimes these are called DNS records. In order for the web host to be connected to your name, you must enter those records at the web host. The domain name company will email you these records or you can login to the domain name registrar to retrieve them. Once you have them (copy them your clipboard) you can login to your web hosting company and paste them inot the field provided for NameServers / DNS.

It will then take up to 48hours (approximately) for the connection between the web host and domain name to be completed.

1. Domain Name – What is a Domain Name?

The address of a website is the domain name  – for instance, www.goldenpinecone.com is the domain name for this business. When you purchase a domain name, you will do so through a domain registrar. Learn more about domain names 

2. Web Hosting – What is Web Site Hosting

Your web site is made up of files, images and scripts and all of these components need a home. That’s where web hosting comes in. Your web hosting is essentially a computer which allows the public to view these files. Looking for web hosting?

Connecting the Dots

Once you have purchased a Domain Name and selected the right type of hosting for your site, you will need to connect the two.

Your web hosting company will supply you “name servers” or “DNS records”. An example of name servers could look like this:

ns1.google.com and ns2.google.com

You will have to login to your Domain Registrar and find the link to “manage” your domain name and once on that screen, look for another link or reference to “change name servers”. They will typically provide two fields (or boxes) to fill in the name server information as provided to you through your web host.

Be sure to save your infomation!

Waiting Game — Up to 24 Hour NameServer Propagation Period

It used to be a very long wait for nameservers to take effect — now the wait time is as short as 24 hours. In Vancouver, we have two main Internet Service Providers (or ISP’s): Shaw and Telus. Depending on how often they refresh their information, the wait time is reduced. Your web host is not to blame for the delays — it’s a waiting game from this point forward. The fastest turn-around I have seen was under an hour.

the cobbler with barefoot children

It’s exhilarating to launch a new site and feel the sense of accomplishment with a job well done.

And the rapid pace in which we work often means that we are the “cobbler with barefoot children”.
Just like your site, www.goldenpinecone.com needs to be updated occasionally, and we were so happy to luanch a new (and we think improved) design after months of working hard on *your sites!

We’re still loading in new portfolio listings – we’ve done a lot of work over the past couple of months are are delighted to showcase it for you.

Stay tuned as we roll-out these exciting new projects in our Portfolio.

It’s been an absolute delight to work with team Olympic – they approached the project with enthusiasm and a keen sense of direction. The site offers a crisp new face to Olympic’s online profile and wonderful team photos were created by star photographer, Sarah Murray.

It’s an exciting time to market your online presence – and our solutions make long term maintenance easy.

Visit: www.freshhome.ca

Visit: www.dakeryn.com

Custom training videos were created to deploy instruction on web maintenance tasks and today, the Kardium team are self sufficient in maintaining their online marketing efforts.

Visit www.kardium.com

Owner Nicola Gillam not only offers a current view to fashion but she understands that today’s customers expect to see fresh content online. We have worked with Nicola to create a hub for her Twitter and Facebook fans and created custom video training to allow her to manage web site updates in-house.

Visit www.violethillclothing.ca

Conifex’ primary business is the manufacturing of structural grade SPF dimension lumber and their operations are conducted in a sustainable, safe and environmentally sound manner — including timber harvesting, reforestation, sawmilling and lumber finishing.

Visit www.conifex.com