Registration of
domain and hosting

Registering a domain name means acquiring the exclusive right to a unique name on the Internet for your website. Getting a hosting means hiring space on a web server to store your site's files and data, allowing it to be accessible online.

To identify which hosting service is hosting a web page, you can check the IP address of the server, look up the IP address in the hosting database, inspect the source code of the web page for clues about the hosting provider, or use some specialised web site analysis tools.

Without hosting, your website will not be available on the internet. Hosting is necessary to store the files and data of your website and to make it accessible online.

There are several reliable domain providers such as GoDaddy, Hostinger or Google Domains, among others. The choice will depend on your specific needs.

You can check the availability of a domain by visiting it in a web browser or by using domain search tools available from registrars.

The number of domains you can host on a hosting plan depends on the plan you have purchased. Some plans allow you to host multiple domains, while others are for a single domain.

There are different types of hosting, including:

• Shared hosting: is an option where multiple websites share the resources of a single server. This type is inexpensive and easy to use, as the costs are divided among several users, making it ideal for small or growing websites that do not require a large amount of resources. However, when sharing resources, there can be limitations in performance and scalability. 
• VPS (Virtual Private Server): provides a virtualised environment within a shared physical server. Unlike shared hosting, each user on a VPS has dedicated resources and their own isolated space, allowing for greater control and flexibility. Users can configure the environment to their needs, install custom software and manage their own virtual server. It is suitable for medium-sized websites with moderate traffic that need more resources and control than shared hosting, but do not require a full dedicated server.
• Dedicated hosting: This type of hosting offers an entire server dedicated exclusively to a single user. This means that all server resources, such as CPU, RAM, storage space and bandwidth, are dedicated to that user only. It provides the highest level of control, performance and security. It is ideal for high-traffic websites, complex web applications, resource-intensive online shops, or projects that require a high level of customisation and security.

To have hosting, you need to have a domain name registered and chosen, and to select the option that best suits your needs. Furthermore, it is important to have the files and content of your website ready to be hosted on the server.

Some of the benefits of hosting are:

• Continuous availability and accessibility: hosting makes your website available 24/7, allowing users to access your content at any time from anywhere in the world.
• File and data storage: by providing space to store files, images, databases and other data related to your website, allows for the creation and operation of page content.
• Speed and performance: A good hosting service can contribute to website loading speed, which is crucial for user experience and search engine ranking.
• Security: additional security measures, such as firewalls, malware protection, automatic backups and SSL certificates, are often included to protect the integrity of user data and information.
• Scalability: Some hosting services offer the possibility to increase resources according to the needs of the website, allowing changes to be made as the site grows in traffic and content.
• E-mail: Many hosting services provide the ability to create custom email addresses with the website's domain name.
• Compatibility with applications and platforms: Hosting services can support a wide range of applications and platforms, facilitating the installation of content management systems (CMS) such as WordPress, Joomla, among others.

When you change hosting, you will need to move your website files and data to the new server. This involves making backups, setting up email accounts if necessary, and modifying your domain settings to point to the new server.

The cost of a domain can vary depending on the extension (.com, .net, .org, etc.) and the provider. Prices can range from a few euros to higher figures for premium domains.

Some hosting providers offer free domains as part of their hosting plans. However, these free domains often have limitations and may not offer the same flexibility or professionalism as a paid domain.

Depending on the provider, domain registration is usually done instantly or within a few hours after completion of the purchase and verification process.

To enable a domain, it is necessary to configure its DNS (Domain Name System) to point to the corresponding hosting server. This is done through the control panel of the domain registrar or hosting provider.

A domain can have a minimum duration of one year and can be renewed annually. As long as renewal payments are made, the domain remains active on the internet.

To change the primary domain of a hosting, you must modify the settings of your hosting account, assigning the new domain as the primary domain and adjusting the DNS settings as necessary.

Cancellation of hosting is usually done through the hosting provider's control panel. A specific process, which varies from provider to provider, is required to request cancellation, and it is important to make sure to back up your data before doing so to avoid data loss.