In short: A domain is the name people type, DNS tells devices where services are, hosting stores and runs the website, and email hosting receives and sends messages. They work together but can be supplied by different companies.
| Part | What it does | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Domain name | The registered name used for a website and email. | example.com |
| DNS | Publishes records that direct browsers and mail systems to the correct service. | An A record points a name to an IPv4 address. |
| Web hosting | Stores website files, runs applications and serves pages to visitors. | A SiteWorx shared-hosting account. |
| Email hosting | Provides mailboxes and handles incoming and outgoing messages. | hello@example.com |
How they work together
- A visitor asks DNS where
www.example.comis hosted. - DNS returns the address of the web server.
- The browser connects to that server using HTTPS and requests the page.
- For email, the sender looks up the domain's MX records and delivers the message to the named mail server.
Good to know: Transferring a domain registration does not automatically move the website or email. Changing nameservers can change every DNS-controlled service, so record the existing DNS zone before making a change.
A common arrangement
You might register the domain with Virgo Networks, host the website on shared hosting, and use Microsoft 365 for email. In that case the DNS zone points web records to Virgo Networks and MX-related records to Microsoft. This is normal.
Before changing anything
- Identify where the domain is registered.
- Identify which nameservers are authoritative.
- Export or record the current DNS entries.
- Confirm where the website and email should continue to operate.
- Lower the DNS TTL in advance when planning a controlled migration.
If you are unsure, ask us to review the intended change before updating nameservers or MX records.
