What is the difference between a domain and a website?¶

A domain is a name used to reach a service. A website is the content and functionality delivered through that route.

The short version¶

The domain is the label; DNS helps route requests; hosting or a platform makes content available. Different providers and accounts may control each part.

A site can move hosts while keeping its domain. Several domains can point to one service. One domain can support several separate services.

Follow the evidence holder¶

• Registrar: registration account, contact and payment records.
• DNS provider: nameserver and routing configuration.
• Host or platform: stored content, deployments and administration.
• Intermediary: proxy, CDN or origin configuration.
• Payment or advertising service: transaction or campaign records.

A registrant may have delegated management, and a legitimate site may have been compromised. Keep observed content, registration, hosting and account use as separate propositions.