When you're launching an online store, you'll often hear terms like DNS and hosting — and they can sound more complicated than they are. Here’s a basic breakdown to help you feel confident as you get your eCommerce site live.
What Is DNS?
DNS stands for Domain Name System. Think of it as the internet’s address book.
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When someone types your website (like
www.yourbridalshop.com) into their browser, DNS tells their computer where to find your website. -
It connects your domain name to the server where your website lives.
In this case, when you add something like shop.yourbridalshop.com, you're creating a subdomain — a separate section of your site just for your online store. DNS is what helps direct customers to that page.
What Is Hosting?
Hosting is where your website lives — like the building behind your store’s address.
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Your hosting provider stores your website files, images, and all the tools that make your store work.
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BridalLive provides the hosting for your eCommerce store — you don’t need to manage any of the technical side of that.
All you need to do is connect your domain name (like shop.yourbridalshop.com) to where BridalLive is hosting your store — and that’s done using DNS settings.
Who Is Your Host or Registrar?
Your domain registrar is the company you used to buy your domain name — this could be:
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GoDaddy
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Google Domains
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Namecheap
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Squarespace
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Or another provider
That company gives you access to your DNS settings, where you’ll add a record to point your subdomain (shop.yourbridalshop.com) to BridalLive.