In short
The domain name is your site’s address (my-business.com). Hosting is the computer that keeps your site and sends it to visitors. DNS is the directory that connects the two: it says which server your address points to.
The domain name: your address
It’s what your visitors type: my-business.com, school.gn. You buy it for a year or more from a registrar, and it must be registered in your name. A domain alone shows nothing: it’s an address without a house.
Hosting: the house
Your site is made of files, sometimes a program and a database. The host keeps them on servers that run day and night and sends them to every visitor. That’s Syli Labs’ job.
DNS: the signpost
When someone types your address, their phone asks DNS: “where is my-business.com?”. DNS replies with the server’s address. So connecting your domain to your site means adding two lines to the DNS, at your registrar.
A DNS change takes from a few minutes to a few hours to apply everywhere. That’s normal.
What about the https padlock?
The padlock shows that the connection is encrypted. It needs a certificate, which Syli Labs creates and renews automatically as soon as your domain points to us.
In short
- Domain: the address, in your name, bought from a registrar;
- Hosting: the server that keeps and sends your site;
- DNS: the directory that connects the address to the server;
- HTTPS: the padlock, automatic at Syli Labs.
Frequently asked questions
Can I have a site without buying a domain?
Yes. Syli Labs gives you a free address. You can add your own domain later without redoing anything.
My domain is with another provider. Do I have to transfer it?
No. You just change two DNS lines at your current provider.
What happens if I forget to renew my domain?
Your site can no longer be reached, and someone else can buy the address. Turn on automatic renewal at your registrar.