A website needs four things to reach a customer. The domain is your address on the internet, such as yourbusiness.com. Hosting is the computer where your website's files live. DNS is the system that tells the world which computer your domain points to. SSL is the certificate that encrypts the connection, shown by the padlock and "https" in the browser. They are often bought from different companies, which is why they confuse so many owners.

The shop analogy

Think of opening a shop in a district town.

  • The domain is the shop's name and address that you print on visiting cards. You rent it by the year and must renew it on time.
  • The hosting is the actual building where the goods are kept. You can move to a new building and keep the same address.
  • The DNS is the area directory or signboard that tells people which building that address leads to. When you move buildings, you update the directory.
  • The SSL certificate is a sealed, tamper-proof bag for everything passed across the counter, so no one in between can read or change it.

Each piece in a little more detail

Domain

You register a domain through a registrar for a set period, usually renewed every year or for several years at once. Common endings include .com, and Bangladesh has its own .bd endings such as .com.bd, which have their own registration process. Whichever you choose, the most important point is that the domain is registered in your business's name, with an email address you control.

Hosting

Hosting is a server: a computer that stays connected and serves your pages. It ranges from a small share of a server to a whole machine. The choice affects speed and reliability; the guide on choosing web hosting compares the types.

DNS

DNS holds a few "records" for your domain. The ones you will hear about most are:

  • A record: points the domain to your hosting server's address.
  • CNAME: points one name to another, often used for "www" or a third-party service.
  • MX records: tell the world where your email should be delivered.
  • TXT records: hold verification and email-security information, such as SPF.

Changes to DNS do not show up everywhere at once; they can take some time to spread.

SSL

An SSL certificate (more correctly called TLS today) encrypts traffic between the visitor and your site. Browsers warn people away from sites without it, and any form that collects phone numbers or payments should never run without it. Many hosts now include a certificate that renews automatically, but someone still needs to check it is working. There is more in what the padlock means.

What happens when someone types your address

  1. A customer in Pabna types your domain into their phone browser.
  2. Their phone asks the DNS system where that domain lives.
  3. DNS answers with your hosting server's address.
  4. The browser connects to that server and checks the SSL certificate.
  5. If the certificate is valid, an encrypted connection opens and your page loads.

If any step fails, the customer sees an error, a warning or nothing at all. That is why a forgotten domain renewal or an expired certificate can take a working website offline overnight.

Email lives here too

Business email on your own domain depends on the same DNS settings. If the MX or TXT records are wrong, mail can bounce or land in spam. Setting this up properly is its own task; see business email on your domain.

Common questions

Can the domain and hosting be with different companies? Yes. Many businesses keep the domain with one registrar and the hosting elsewhere. It can even make moving hosts easier later.

Who should hold the logins? You. Your developer can have access, but the accounts should be in your business's name. If a developer registered the domain in their own name, ask them to transfer it. The article on website ownership covers what to put in writing.

What if I miss a renewal? Registrars usually allow a short grace period, but the rules differ and you should not rely on it. Turn on auto-renew and keep the payment method up to date.

A quick checklist

  • Domain registered in the business's name, with auto-renew on.
  • Logins for the registrar, DNS and hosting stored safely by the owner.
  • SSL certificate active and renewing.
  • Email DNS records checked.
  • Renewal dates noted in your calendar.

If you are unsure who controls which account, I can help you check as part of my web development service.

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