If we gave you five minutes to tell us who currently hosts your website or domain name, could you do it?
For many business owners, this question may send them rummaging through old emails or notes. It’s not uncommon for the details of domain registration and hosting to become blurred in the hustle of running a business.
However, the longer it takes to find this information, the longer your website could be down and costing you valuable time, customers, and money.
We’ve put together a guide to help you better understand domains, the domain name system (DNS), and hosting providers.
What is a Domain Name?
A domain name is your website’s address on the internet. It’s what people type into their browser to visit your site. Think of it as a street address but for the online world. Instead of directing someone to a physical location, it guides them to your website. For example, “vervocity.io” is a domain name.
How Does the Domain Name System (DNS) Work?
The Domain Name System, or DNS, is the internet’s way of turning domain names into IP addresses, which is a series of numbers. DNS is like a phone book for the internet. When you type a website’s name like google.com into your browser, DNS finds the matching IP address that computers use to locate each other online. Without DNS, we’d have to remember a complex series of numbers for every website we wanted to visit. The DNS translates human-friendly domain names into computer-friendly IP addresses.
Why is DNS Important?
Without it, the internet would be quite chaotic. DNS keeps the internet organized and accessible. A DNS failure would be like sending a letter without an address. It won’t reach its destination.
DNS resolution time also affects user experience. Too many DNS lookups from one website can negatively affect load speed, causing customers to leave your site before they even get started.
What is Website Hosting?
Now, imagine having an address (domain) but no physical location or house at that location. A hosting provider offers a service to house your websites or web pages to be posted online. A web hosting service provider, or host, provides the technology and servers needed for the webpages to be viewed on the internet.
The host’s servers store websites and their online content. Internet users view your website by typing a query or your domain into their search engine or browser. Their computer or mobile device will then connect to the server, and your website will be delivered to them through the browser.
Do You Know Who Manages Your Website Domain, DNS, or Hosting?
Your domain name, DNS, and hosting can be managed by different companies. Your domain name might be registered with one company, while your website is hosted by another, and your DNS is managed by yet another. Knowing which companies manage each ensures you don’t lose your website due to a missed renewal date or miscommunication between providers.
The Risks of Not Knowing Who Manages What
“I’ll just look for it in my email.”
That’s fine—until your email is hacked, and you no longer have access to renewal notices or information about where everything is stored.
It may not seem like a big deal to keep track of your domain, DNS, and hosting somewhere other than your email, but losing access to any of them could mean losing access to your website.
Lost passwords, employees unexpectedly leaving jobs, and hacked emails can all lead to a panicked frenzy as you try to figure out why your website isn’t showing up anymore. Not to mention forgetting to renew a domain (you could lose your domain entirely if this happens and someone else buys it). You also won’t know who to call to fix the problem, and trying to figure that out could take up valuable time you can’t afford to lose.
Lost Customers + Security Risks
If the DNS settings are mismanaged or accidentally altered without your knowledge, visitors won’t find your website even though it’s still there, hidden away. No online traffic means no online business.
As far as hosting is concerned, you risk unexpected downtimes and permanent data loss if you are unaware of who’s keeping your website’s server up and running. Servers need regular maintenance and updates to keep websites accessible and secure.
The risks extend beyond just operational hiccups. There are significant security implications, too. If you don’t have a clear line of communication with the people managing your information, your website could be vulnerable to cyber-attacks. Your site needs regular updates and security checks to keep it safe, and if you are not sure who is responsible for what, important security measures might be neglected.
Stay up to date on Renewal Plans and Required DNS Changes
It’s not guaranteed that the company managing your domain, DNS, or hosting service will also handle the renewal process. As we mentioned earlier, forgetting or missing your renewal date could result in losing your domain name completely. Depending on your domain host, domain names can become available to others for purchase in 80 days or less after expiration on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Domain names are generally registered for one to ten years at a time. Ten years may seem like a long time, but it’s plenty of time to lose a password or forget a renewal date. Companies often send out an email reminder when it comes time to renew a domain or pay for another cycle of hosting services.
You’ll also typically receive an email regarding DNS changes that Google, Yahoo, or other providers require. Please don’t delete or disregard these emails as unimportant; they definitely are important. However, do validate their authenticity if something seems fishy. We’ve seen clients receive fraudulent “domain renewal” notices in the mail. Contact your providers directly (not through the email or phone number on the mailed notice) if you aren’t sure of the authenticity.
How to Find Who Hosts Your Domain, DNS, and Website
Let’s say you’ve been reading this blog and now realize you have no idea where your domain registration and hosting information is stored. Don’t panic. We can help you figure out where everything might be.
First, do you have a password management system where employees store passwords for important accounts? If yes, check there first. If not, consider contacting Vervocity for a secure, custom password management system for your business so you no longer have to worry about lost passwords.
Second, follow the information Google Cloud provides on finding your domain host. Past billing records, lookup tools, and domain resellers are great places to start when looking. You can also use websites like The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) and Hosting Checker to find more information about hosting.
Finally, if all else fails, you’re tired of dealing with multiple companies, or you don’t have time to remember renewal dates and DNS changes, contact Vervocity for more information about our website hosting and security plans. Our website support specialists monitor security updates, vulnerabilities, hosting plans, renewal dates, website backups, and more so you can have peace of mind knowing your website is safe and secure.
Whether you’re building a new website or need assistance managing your current one, we’ve got you covered. We are committed to providing the support you need for your website to thrive. Email us at [email protected], call (217) 222-1451, or fill out our online contact form to start a conversation!
