Blog Layout

BACK
Domain vs. Hosting
Taylor Tunnison • Dec 23, 2022

Setting up a website for your business can seem daunting, but it doesn't have to be. Understanding the difference between domain names and web hosting can empower you to take control of your company’s online presence. Let's take a closer look at the key features of domain vs. hosting and why they’re so important when developing any website.

How Does a Website Work?

You don’t have to be a computer programmer to understand how websites work. Without getting too technical, a website is simply a collection of webpages with a unique domain name. The data contained within these webpages are stored, or hosted, somewhere on a web server.


Web servers are just groups of data center computers that store, locate, and send website data to other devices. Think of them as digital hotels that allow data to stay there for a small fee. When you pay your internet service provider (ISP) for internet access, you’re actually paying to access their web servers. ISPs form networks that allow users to access countless web servers around the world. This forms the basis of the public internet.

What Is a Domain? 

A website’s unique web address is known as its domain. It’s the Uniform Resource Locator (URL) that users enter into their browsers to visit a website online. Think of it like a digital street address. For example, our domain is go-tnt.com and Google’s is google.com. Easy enough, right?


In reality, domains refer to numerical Internet Protocol (IP) addresses. Every web server and networked device is assigned a unique IP address that identifies it for other devices. However, remembering a string of numbers is much easier for a computer than it is for most humans. That’s why we generally use domain names instead of IP addresses when referring to websites. Without them, we’d have to know and type out the exact IP address of the web server that hosts any given website. Hard pass.


Your website’s domain should be unique and memorable. That way, new and returning users will be able to find your site easily when searching online. Your domain also helps to establish your brand identity and boost your credibility in the eyes of potential customers or clients who are researching your company.


You can purchase a domain from specialized service providers known as domain name registrars, such as GoDaddy. Purchasing a domain will cost around $10 to $15 per year depending on the registrar you choose and the type of extension you want (.com, .net, .org, etc.). This is often one of the first steps when developing a website, because you can reserve a domain name long before your website is ready for hosting.

What Is Web Hosting?

Web hosting is the service that makes your website accessible over the public internet. In simple terms, it's like renting physical storage for all your website’s data. It functions by storing all of your webpages, images, and content in large data centers. These data centers are connected to powerful web servers that deliver information quickly when requested by users’ devices.


There are many web hosting companies such as Bluehost and SiteGround that sell their services to individuals, small businesses, and large corporations. The cost of web hosting generally ranges from $5-$15 per month depending on how much speed, storage space, and bandwidth you need for your entire website to function properly. However, some service providers also offer premium web hosting that can cost much more. This is often necessary for lighting-fast, cutting-edge, enterprise websites that receive incredible numbers of visitors each month.


Like a domain name, paying for web hosting is necessary when developing any website. Unless you own your own data center (unlikely), you’ll need to purchase web hosting before users will be able to visit your site. You can do this near the end of the development cycle, but you must purchase web hosting before the website goes live.

Ask Us about Domain vs. Hosting

When it comes to website design and development, understanding domain vs. hosting is absolutely essential. These two services function together to bring websites to the masses via the World Wide Web. If all this seems too complicated for you, then don’t worry! That’s why we’re here.


If you have still have questions about domain vs. hosting or are looking to build your own website, then we encourage you to give us a call or contact us online. Our team knows the ins and outs of domains, web hosting, website development, and even search engine optimization. We’d be happy to explain the details in plain language and take this digital weight off your shoulders.

Are You Interested In More?

SCHEDULE A MEETING

Share This Post With Your Friends

Latest Posts

08 May, 2024
Imagine your website as your online store. You wouldn't want people to peek in, feel awkward, and then disappear, never to return, would you? That's the bounce rate in action. It's the percentage of visitors who bounce off your site after just one page, like a dropped basketball. The engagement rate is the flip side of that coin. It tells you how many visitors actually stick around and explore. They might click links, watch videos, fill out forms, or browse other pages. The more engaged they are, the better! So, understanding a bounce rate vs engagement rate is important for any organization with a website. Here's why these two metrics are important: 1. Bounce Rate: Your Wake-Up Call A high bounce rate could be a red flag. Maybe your landing page is a snoozefest, your content is confusing, or your navigation is a maze. Thoroughly analyzing your bounce rate helps you identify areas that need work. 2. Engagement Rate: The Sticky Factor A good engagement rate means visitors find your site interesting and useful. They're digging deeper and potentially taking the next step, whether that’s buying something, signing up for your email list, or contacting you. 3. Not All Bounce Rates Are Created Equal Plot twist! A high bounce rate isn't always a disaster. Let's say you have a blog post titled "The Best Hiking Trail in Eastern Nebraska." Someone might land on that page, get the info they need (the trail’s name), and bounce. Well, that's a good thing since they found what they were looking for. You must consider your website’s context and goals, so discretion is key! High bounce rates on product pages or contact forms might be a sign of trouble, while high bounce rates on informative blog posts *might* be perfectly okay. 4. Engagement Rate: Beyond Just Time Spent Engagement rates are about what a reader does on your site, now just how long they were browsing it. Did they click that "Buy Now" button, read your entire "About Us" page, or quickly fill out a contact form? These actions tell a much richer story than just the time your readers gave up. 5. Bounce Rate and Engagement Rate: Better Together Think of bounce rates and engagement rates like cookies and milk, they're best analyzed together. A high bounce rate with a low engagement rate suggests there's a problem. But a high bounce rate with a decent engagement rate might not be as bad as it seems. 6. Know Your Audience Who are you trying to attract to your website? What are their goals? Once you understand your target audience , you can better interpret your website’s data. For example, if you run an online store selling luxury goods, you might expect fewer visitors overall, but a higher engagement rate from those who do visit. They're probably more likely to be serious about buying something than somebody composing their wish list on Amazon. 7. A/B Testing: Your Secret Weapon A/B testing lets you experiment with different versions of your website and see which one has a better bounce rate and engagement rate. Maybe you test two different headlines for your landing page or try out a new navigation bar for maximum impact. 8. Don't Get Fixated on One Number Bounce rate and engagement rate are valuable tools ( KPIs ), but they shouldn't be the only ones in your toolbox. Look at your conversion rates (the percentage of visitors who take a desired action), average time on page , and traffic sources. 9. It's All About User Experience In the end, the goal is to create a fantastic user experience. You want visitors to be engaged and keep coming back for more. By analyzing your bounce rate and engagement rate, you can identify areas for improvement and make your website a welcoming, informative, and user-friendly space. 10. Deep Dive with Analytics Tools Most website platforms have built-in analytics tools that track bounce rates and engagement rates. There are also powerful analytics platforms like Google Analytics that provide even more detailed insights into user behavior. What is a Great Way to Boost Your Bounce Rate vs Engagement Rate Ready to make your website a bounce-free zone (well, almost) and boost its engagement? Well, True North Technologies can help! We're a digital marketing agency passionate about crafting websites that convert. From SEO optimization to killer content creation, we have the expertise to help your website shine .
By Derek Oss 02 May, 2024
Imagine craving a caffeine fix and strolling past your favorite coffee shop. You then see an ad later that day for the exact same coffee shop, offering a discount just for you! Or maybe you're scrolling through online stores, checking out the latest sneakers, and bam! Ads for those same shoes start popping up everywhere you look. Spooky, right? Maybe a little but trust us, you’re not Jason Bourne and no command center is following your every step. It's actually a clever marketing strategy called geofencing, and it's changing how large and small businesses reach their customers. Understanding Geofencing Geofencing creates an invisible boundary around a physical location, like your favorite store or gym. This tactic allows marketers to establish these virtual perimeters using GPS, Wi-Fi, cellular data, or IP addresses . When someone with a smartphone enters or exits the designated area, they can receive targeted messages, notifications, or even banner ads. It's essentially a personalized billboard that follows you around (virtually, of course). The Power of Reaching Customers at the Right Moment Geofencing's strength lies in its ability to connect with potential customers at the best time. Consider a scenario where you're walking past a sporting goods store right before the weekend. A geofenced ad might remind you to pick up some new baseball gear for a kid's game or hiking gear for the nearby trails. With a well-crafted landing page , a great ad can be the deciding factor to make a conversion for people who check your site out! This is the power of geofencing – highly relevant marketing that cultivates targeted actions. Creative Applications of Geofencing With vast possibilities, geofencing is being employed by businesses in innovative ways, as seen in the following examples: Retail Stores: Attract customers with special offers or announcements about new product arrivals. Restaurants: Target nearby office workers with happy hour deals or entice passersby with a complimentary appetizer. Gyms: Motivate gym goers by offering discounts on memberships or personal training sessions when users are near the facility. Event Venues: Remind attendees of upcoming concerts or conferences. Competitor Targeting: Subtly nudge potential customers towards your store when they're in the vicinity of your competitor's location (always maintain a professional tone). Addressing Privacy Concerns It's understandable to feel apprehensive about location tracking. However, users must opt-in to some mix of location services, cookies , and privacy agreements for it to function. Additionally, geofencing is anonymous – it tracks users within a designated area, not their entire whereabouts. Tailoring Your Geofencing Strategy Geofences aren't a one-size-fits-all solution. Marketers can achieve highly targeted campaigns through various methods: Radius Fences: Create a circular perimeter around a specific location, like a store or park. Polygonal Fences: Define a custom shape for even greater precision, ideal for targeting specific areas within a building or shopping mall. Implementation and Cost Considerations While geofencing offers immense potential, it's not a DIY project that businesses can slap together. Partner with a marketing agency that’s assembled the necessary tools and expertise for effectively executed campaigns. The cost varies depending on the campaign's size and complexity.  However, compared to traditional advertising methods, geofencing can be a highly cost-effective way to reach a targeted audience. Plus, your campaign can be tracked in real time, so your team can tweak things on the fly to get the best outcome.
What is Retention in Digital Marketing as shown by a graphic of a magnet attracting people.
By Derek Oss 24 Apr, 2024
Built your dream website, but rivals are stealing your audience? Learn more about what is retention and how you can regain control...

Interested in valuable marketing content?

Sign up for our weekly newsletter!

Share by: