Many people assume that once they purchase a domain name (like mycompany.com), they will automatically get an email address (like info@mycompany.com).
But the fact is: A domain name and an email address are two separate things.
Domain Name vs Email Address – What’s the Difference?
Think of your domain name as your business address on the internet.
- Example: www.mycompany.com
An email address is like your mailbox.
- Example: info@mycompany.com
Owning the address (domain name) doesn’t automatically give you a mailbox (email). You need a separate email service provider to create and manage your emails.
How Email Services Work
There are a few ways email works with your domain:
- Through Your Hosting Provider
- Many hosting companies (like GoDaddy, Bluehost, etc.) also offer email services.
- Sometimes it’s bundled with hosting, but often it’s an add-on.
- Through a Dedicated Email Provider
- Most businesses today prefer to use professional services like Google Workspace (Gmail) or Microsoft 365 (Outlook) for reliability, storage, and advanced features.
- These are purchased separately from your hosting.
What Happens if One of Them Expires?
- If your email plan expires: Your website will continue to run, but your email addresses (like info@mycompany.com) will stop working until you renew or switch providers.
- If your hosting plan expires: Your website will go offline, but your email may still work (if it’s with a separate provider like Google or Microsoft).
- If your domain name expires: Both your website and emails will stop working, because everything (your website and your email) depends on the domain to point traffic to the right place.
That’s why keeping your domain active is the #1 priority.
Quick Recap
- Domain name = Internet address (must stay active to keep everything running).
- Hosting = Land/space where your website lives.
- Email service = Mailbox connected to your domain, usually separate.
All three are separate services. Sometimes bundled, often billed separately, but all equally important.
👉 Pro Tip: Always renew your domain name on time. It’s the foundation that keeps your website and emails alive.