Menu
“What is a domain name?” Newcomers frequently ask us. “How do domains work?” and “How do domains work?” If you are a newbie, you’ve probably heard that you’ll need a domain to start a website.
On the other hand, many beginners conflate a domain name with a website or a website hosting service. These terms may seem overly technical if you are just getting started. We will explain what a domain name is and how domains work in this beginner’s guide. The goal is to assist you in comprehending and selecting the appropriate domain name for your website.
A domain name is a text string used to visit a website using client software and corresponds to a numeric IP address. In plain English, a domain name is a text that a user types into a browser window to access a certain website. Instagram’s domain name is instagram.com, for example.
The real address of a website is a complex numerical IP address (e.g. 103.41.233.0), but users can type in human-friendly domain names and be led to the websites they desire, thanks to DNS. This operation is known as a DNS lookup.
We will look at what happens when you type a domain name into your browser to understand better how domain names work.
When you type a domain name into your web browser, it sends a request to the Domain Name System, a global network of servers (DNS). The name servers associated with the domain are then looked up, and the request is forwarded to those name servers. If your website is hosted on Whatsapp, for example, the name server information will be as follows:
ns1.whatsapp.com
ns2.whatsapp.com
These name servers are computers that your hosting company manages. Your request will be sent to the computer that hosts your website by your hosting provider. This computer is referred to as a web server. It has specialised software installed (Cloudfare and Microsoft are two popular web server software). The web server now retrieves the site page and any related data. The information is subsequently sent back to the browser.
Domain names are used for a variety of purposes, including application-specific naming, addressing, and establishing the following in various networking contexts:
1. Hostnames and hosts can be easily identified
Uniform Resource Locators (URLs) for Internet resources, such as websites, include hostnames as an element. The www in www.google.com, for example, is a third-level domain, while.com is a top-level domain, and google is a second-level domain.
2. Names that are easy to remember
Domain names are beneficial because they are easily remembered. For example, the Internet Protocol (IP) address 65.204.48.126 is easier to remember than books.com.
As the Internet expanded in popularity, it became an unavoidable component of online engagement. The vast majority of internet users are utterly unaware of DNS and its immense value to us. Without DNS, you won’t be able to access any website by inputting its URL into your browser.
IP addresses are used to communicate between computers. Because humans cannot memorise thousands of numbers, domain names must be used instead of IP addresses. Typing phoenixnap.com into your browser rather than 198.24.170.115 is much easier to remember. Your computer needs to know the exact IP address; the domain name is irrelevant.
DNS maintains a list of all domain names and their IP addresses. DNS converts a domain name into an IP address when you type it into your browser. Another way, DNS is a service that maps domain names to IP addresses.
Given below is the meaning of domain and hosting. Read below to learn more:
The URL people type in a web browser’s address bar to access your site is referred to as a domain name. To put it another way, domain names make it easier for people to access websites. They would have to use an IP address, which is a numerical label assigned to every website and server on the internet if they didn’t have it. A second-level domain (SLD) and a top-level domain (TLD) are the two main components of domain names (TLD). Second-level domains are usually made up of words or phrases, while top-level domains are the extensions that come after. In the case of google.com, the second-level domain is google, and the top-level domain is.com.
You can publish your website on the internet with the help of web hosting services. In other words, hosting companies will rent a portion of their webserver to store the files and data for your website. Your web hosting provider is responsible for sending your website’s content to visitors when they type in the domain name. All users can use beginner-friendly tools provided by web hosts to manage their websites with little to no technical knowledge. A hosting provider may also provide customer service, server maintenance, and website builders to assist users in creating and maintaining their websites.
The main distinction between domain and hosting is that a domain is an address that allows a visitor to easily locate your website on the internet, whereas hosting is the location where the website files are stored. You will need a domain and hosting space to have a fully functional website.
Website domain names are unique, human-readable Internet addresses. A top-level domain (also known as an extension or domain suffix), a domain name (or IP address), and an optional subdomain make up a domain name. A “root domain” comprises only the domain name and the top-level domain. The “protocol,” part of a page’s URL but not its domain name, is known as http://.
The suffix that appears at the end of a domain name is referred to as a top-level domain (TLD). The following are some examples of top-level domains:
.com
.net
.edu
.org
The second level of a domain’s hierarchy is domain names (after the top-level domain). Domain names on a specific TLD (referred to as a root domain in this article) are purchased from registrars and represent a website’s specific, unique location. The domain names are bolded in the following examples:
www.example.com
www.blogspot.com
The term “root domain” was coined in the context of DNS (domain-name-servers), but it now refers to the combination of a unique domain name and a top-level domain (extensions) to form a complete “website address.” The root domain of your website is the most important page in its hierarchy (probably your homepage). Individual pages or subdomains can be built off the root domain, but each page URL must technically include the same root domain to be a part of your website.
The following are some examples of root domains:
Ilovedogs.net
moz.com
Subdomains are part of a larger top-level domain and are the third level of the domain hierarchy. They go before the root domain and are separated from the domain name by a period.
“blog.example.com” and “english.example.com,” for example, are both subdomains of the root domain “example.com.” Subdomains can be created without restriction under any root domain that a webmaster manages.
The two most popular subdomains are:
http://example.com (has no subdomain)
http://www.example.com (“www” is the subdomain)
Of course, before you can register for a domain, you must first learn about the various options available to you. With that in mind, let’s look at some of the domain-related jargon you’re likely to come across.
The URL of each website can be broken down into several parts. TLDs (Top-Level Domains), also known as domain name extensions, are the part of your domain name that comes after your primary domain name (for instance, the .com in www.dreamhost.com).
There are, however, many other TLDs besides.com. You can choose from a variety of extensions, including. net, blog, and.io (which was initially a country code but has since been co-opted for the tech community).
TLDs come in various shapes and sizes, as we mentioned earlier. For example, country code Top-Level Domains (ccTLDs) are limited to use in specific countries.
Take, for example, Ireland. It’s country code top-level domain (ccTLD) is. ie, which is one of the safest to use. Other examples include the United Kingdom (.co. the UK), Canada (.ca), and even the United States (.us). If the.com version of the domain you want is already taken, these are all excellent alternatives.
The TLD section of your website’s domain name has now been covered. But what about the rest of the URL? SLDs (second-level domains) play a part in this.
Let’s take a look at www.dreamhost.com as an example. The TLD is.com, as we’ve seen. The SLD is the string that comes before it, in this case, “Dreamhost.”
People will associate your website with the SLD. As a result, it’s critical to take your time and think about your options. You’ll want something easily recognisable and gives visitors a sense of your site’s focus and style.
Next up are generic top-level domains (gTLDs). Even if you’ve never heard the term, you already know what these are. These are the well-known domains such as.com,.edu,.info,.org, and.net that we are all familiar with.
Originally, these were compared to ccTLDs because fewer TLD options were available. However, we now have a new generation of TLDs to choose from (often referred to as “new TLDs”).
We have now gone over two of the three major components of a domain name. The third-level domain is appropriately named (not to be confused with the top-level domain).
As previously stated, the TLD for www.dreamhost.com is.com, and the SLD is Dreamhost. The third-level domain, also known as the www section, is the last option.
Your third-level domain will be www by default. However, this does not always work for large companies that require more web pages. As a result, you might see www1 or even www2 in front of the SLD in a domain name.
When searching for a domain name, you may discover that the one you want is already taken. It’s a premium domain, which means someone else owns it.
The good news is that you won’t have to abandon that domain entirely. People frequently purchase domain names but never use them. They might even be willing to sell a domain they are currently using if the price is right.
This is known as domain reselling or purchasing a privately owned domain by someone else. This entails paying a little more than you would for a non-premium domain. However, very popular domains can sell for hundreds or thousands of dollars in some cases.
To check domain name availability, you can check:
Simply type a domain name into GoDaddy’s search bar to see if it’s available. We will tell you right away if it’s already taken.
1. If it’s already taken, you can use our WHOIS Lookup to look for your domain name.
2. Alternatively, you can use our Domain Broker Service to negotiate the acquisition of the domain from its current owner.
We also have a Domain Backorder service, where you can buy a credit that will give you a chance to get the domain you want when it goes up for auction.
1. To find a domain, go to the domain search page.
2. In the search field, type a domain name and extension.
3. Click the Search button.
4. Click Get It to register the domain.
You need to follow these steps to register and buy a domain name by following these steps:
Follow these steps to find a domain name register:
To search for a unique domain name, follow these steps:
What is the purpose of your website? This is, without a doubt, the most important element to consider.
The domain name you want may be already taken, but it’s still available. Follow these steps to complete your purchase if you find a name you simply must have:
After logging in, go to “My Account” and select “Account Settings.” “General Settings” should be selected. Select the “Add ID Protect to all new registrations” check box in the “Domain Purchase Options” section, then click “Save Changes.”
Rebranding is a marketing technique that involves giving an existing brand a new name, word, symbol, design, concept, or mix of these components to create a new, distinct identity in the minds of customers, investors, competitors, and other stakeholders.
The goal of good communication is to get your target audience to the desired outcome. The goal could be to inform them or help them understand a message, but it could also persuade or persuade them to act.
You can rebrand your website by changing the brand images, updating the imagery, and redesigning the logo. Redefining brand values, updating or rewriting the company mission, vision, and purpose statements, and creating a new target audience is all part of a successful rebranding overhaul. If it’s a makeover.
Domain names arose as a result of human memory limitations. While you can skip neuroscience, you should keep these constraints in mind when deciding on a domain name.
The more you stress working memory, the more difficult it is for humans to complete tasks. A “buffer limits the amount of data that the working memory can retain.”
While this appears to be a fairly obvious limit, it isn’t as simple as it seems. The placement of “items” in human memory is determined by the items themselves and whether or not they are linked to other memory systems.
Even though a website address like “www.catsdogs.com” is significantly longer than “www.animalia.com,” most people will find it easier to remember.
Why? Because “cats” and “dogs” are two separate items, most people will have to remember three distinct items to remember “Animalia”:
The word “animal” comes to mind.
The letter I is a capital letter.
“A” is a letter.
Interestingly, that number has decreased since its peak in Q3 2017, but the truth remains: At least half of the people who visit your domain address will do so using a mobile device. That means you should consider all of the world’s autocorrect victims and make your domain as memorable and concise as possible for them. Google and Bing are two examples of simple, mobile-friendly domain names that come to mind. They’re short, easy to remember, and everyone can spell them.
Keywords are similar to powdered sugar on waffles regarding domain names. It’s a nice bonus, but it’s not required. You should use a keyword if you can, and it makes sense. Keywords appear in the URLs of 63 per cent of top-performing domains.
However, if you can’t work a keyword in, it will only provide a minor boost to your SEO, if any, and should be carefully considered when reworking your strategy to include it.
The founder of SEO behemoth Moz (and now CEO of Sparktoro), Rand Fishkin, had this to say about keyword-rich domain names:
They aren’t as influential as they once were, and they have negative associations (with users and search engines) that you should avoid.
Without mentioning the importance of branding, no domain name strategy list would be complete. 77 per cent of customers make purchases based on the product’s brand name. What’s more bizarre is that 90 per cent of those choices are thought to be made subconsciously based on positive brand associations. Amazon, IBM, and Tesla are examples of well-known domain names.
Your domain name has been registered. But then, a few weeks later, you get a cease and desist letter from the law firm of someone who earns five times as much money every thirty seconds.
It’s not a pretty picture, but it’s also not unheard of. If you don’t want to get caught up in unnecessary litigation, ensure your potential domain name isn’t trademarked.
The great top level. Is the the.com domain extension reign supreme for both SEO and memorability? However, there are many more domain extensions now than there were previously, and if used strategically, you should have no problems.
They are growing at a rapid pace. Between 2016 and 2017, the number of new, “non-traditional” extensions increased by 145 per cent.
Trying to develop a domain name that meets all of these criteria can be more difficult than it appears. If your creative team needs a break, you can delegate some responsibility to a generator.
The awesome team at ThemeIsle created DomainWheel, a simple and easy-to-use domain name generator. Simply type in a keyword to see all of the available domains. It also generates domains that sound similar to it, rhymes with it, and offers random suggestions.
NameMesh is a plug-and-play tool that takes a word and generates every possibility you can think of, including SEO-based suggestions, short names, common domains, and new domain extensions.
Last but not least, you should consider purchasing an existing domain. Why? Because some of the following may already be present on an existing domain:
Backlinks with high authority. Check existing backlinks with a tool like Ahrefs.
Domain authority (Moz) and domain rating are both high (Ahrefs).
PageRank is high. Internally, Google still uses PageRank.
Existing traffic and brand recognition.
The domain name net is a generic top-level domain (gTLD) used in the Internet’s Domain Name System. The name is derived from the word network, implying that it was designed for companies that deal with networking technologies, such as Internet service providers and other infrastructure firms.
The top-level domain (TLD) com is part of the Internet’s Domain Name System (DNS). Its name is derived from the word commercial, indicating that it was intended initially for domains registered by commercial organisations. It was added in 1985.
The org top-level domain stands for “organisation” and is primarily used for nonprofit websites like charities, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), open-source projects, and educational platforms.
To rank well in Google, you need to have a good information site. Although Google does not directly consider dot Info sites bad for SEO, people do not trust them. And this makes it extremely difficult for a dot info website to establish itself as a successful brand.
We hope that we have given you some insight into domain names. You can also learn about the meaning of domain names and domain parts by reading this article. Besides that, you must have read about the difference between a domain name and an IP address in this article.
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about the domain name:
A human-friendly address is a domain name, also known as a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) or a web address. It was designed to make IP (Internet Protocol) addresses accessible and rememberable. Every computer is given an IP address, a string of numbers similar to a phone number.
An IP address is identified by domain names. The domain name microsoft.com represents about a dozen IP addresses. In URLs, domain names are used to identify specific Web pages. The domain name pcwebopedia.com is used in the URL http://www.pcwebopedia.com/.
To register a domain name, the following steps are followed:
1. Locate a registrar of domain names.
2. Look up your domain name.
3. Decide on a domain name.
4. Choose a suffix for your domain name, such as.com or.net.
5. The domain name should be purchased.
6. Protect your domain with a Domain ID.
One needs to follow these steps to buy a domain name in India:
1. Locate a Reputable Domain Registrar. A domain registrar is a business that handles the registration and management of domain names.
2. Search for a domain name.
3. Choose a domain name.
4. Finish the domain registration process.
5. Verify who owns the domain name.
Google.com and Wikipedia.org are two other domain name examples. Using a domain name rather than a numeric IP address to identify a location on the Internet makes it easier to remember and type web addresses. Anyone can purchase a domain name.
The Domain Name System (DNS) is a decentralised and hierarchical naming system for identifying computers, services, and other resources accessible via the Internet or other Internet Protocol networks. Domain names are linked to other types of information by resource records in the DNS.