WEBSITE OWNERSHIP BASICS
Domain vs hosting: what is the difference?
A domain is the address people type. Hosting is where the website runs or where its files and application live. DNS connects the two.
The domain is the name
A domain such as example.co.uk is registered through a registrar. You renew the right to use that name. Owning the domain does not automatically include a website or email service.
Hosting is where the site lives
Hosting can mean shared hosting, managed WordPress, a VPS, a static deployment platform or another service that runs the website. The same domain can usually point to a completely different host later.
DNS is the map
DNS records tell browsers and other services where to find the website, email and other services. Changing DNS can move traffic without transferring the domain registration itself.
Email may be separate again
Your website host, domain registrar and email provider can all be different companies. That is normal, but it means you need to know which account controls which service.
Keep ownership clear
Know who controls the registrar account, DNS zone, hosting account and email service. That makes migrations and emergencies much easier.