Learning outcomes
- Explain how to distinguish domain registration, DNS and hosting.
- Complete the guided practice safely.
- Check that you can understand where published files belong.
Planning and Foundations
Domains and Hosting
Learn to distinguish domain registration, DNS and hosting and understand where published files belong in this beginner-friendly website development lesson.
Before you begin
Work on a practice copy, keep filenames lowercase and hyphenated, and create a backup before changing a live website.
Step-by-step instructions
- Open the relevant project page, file or WordPress screen and confirm you are working on a safe practice copy.
- Map a fictional domain to a hosting folder.
- Inspect the result using browser tools or WordPress Preview; do not publish yet.
- Check keyboard use, mobile layout, content accuracy, links, images and privacy where applicable.
- Confirm that you can understand where published files belong, then save a clearly named version or backup.
Ian's practical tip: Preview first, test at desktop and mobile sizes, and keep a recoverable copy before publishing.
Practical activity
Map a fictional domain to a hosting folder. The expected result is to understand where published files belong.