Domain, Hosting, SSL Basics

 

2.1 Domain, Hosting, and SSL Basics

1. Domain Name

• A domain name is the address of your website on the internet.

• It’s what users type in their browser to visit your website (e.g. www.google.com).

• Each domain name is unique.

• It represents your brand identity online.

• Structure of a domain:

  • www – World Wide Web

  • google – Second-level domain (your chosen name)

  • .com – Top-level domain (TLD)

• Types of domains:

  • .com – Commercial websites

  • .org – Organizations

  • .edu – Educational institutions

  • .in – Country-specific (India)

Example:
→ For a college website: www.nacsc.edu.in

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2. Web Hosting

• Web hosting is a service that stores website files and makes them accessible on the internet.

• Every website needs hosting to be live.

• Hosting companies provide servers where website data (images, text, code) is stored.

Types of Hosting:

1. Shared Hosting:

   • Many websites share the same server.

   • Cheapest option (good for beginners).

2. VPS Hosting (Virtual Private Server):

   • Virtual section of a server for each website — better speed and control.

3. Dedicated Hosting:

   • One full server for a single website. Best for large businesses.

4. Cloud Hosting:

   • Uses multiple servers; offers better speed, uptime, and flexibility.

Popular hosting providers:
GoDaddy, Hostinger, Bluehost, SiteGround, Google Cloud.

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3. SSL (Secure Sockets Layer)

• SSL is a security certificate that protects data between a user’s browser and your website.

• It ensures that information (like login or payment details) stays encrypted and safe.

• Websites with SSL start with https:// instead of http://.

• Google prefers websites with SSL — improves SEO ranking and trust.

• Example:

  • https://www.amazon.in (secure site)

  • 🔒 Symbol in browser indicates SSL is active.