What is a Domain Name? An Easy Guide to Your Site's Web Address

A domain name is part of your company's online presence. It's more than just an address to your website. It's also part of your branding, establishes industry authority, and improves search relevance.

But competition for domain names is often fierce. There are currently over 378.5 million registered domain names, making it challenging for new website owners to curate the right domain for their business.[1]

Keep reading to learn how to choose and register a domain name for your website.

What is a domain name?

A domain name is the web address that directs a browser to the requested website. There are two parts to a domain name: the second-level domain (SLD) and the top-level domain (TLD). For example, let’s look at allaboutcookies.org.

allaboutcookies is the SLD, and .org is the TLD.

The domain name acts as a shortcut. Otherwise, we would have to use a string of numbers, known as an IP address, to connect to a site. Domain names are easier to use and remember.

Domain names: Key concepts to know

Domain names simplify connecting to websites, but there are a few technical details to know. Here is an overview of key concepts about domain names.

• Domain name vs. URL: A domain name is part of the URL address. The domain name covers the example.com segment. But the URL also includes the protocol (e.g., HTTPS) and the path to a specific page on the site (e.g., example.com/about). Another difference is that a domain name is also used for a custom domain email address.
• Domain levels: There are hierarchical levels to domain names. We covered TLD and SLD in the previous section. Another level is the subdomain, also known as a third-level domain. It helps organize site content. Some examples include website.subdomain.com or mail.subdomain.com. The www at the beginning of URLs is also considered a subdomain.
• Overseeing organization: Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) is a nonprofit organization responsible for coordinating domain names. It matches domain names with the website's IP address. ICANN uses Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) functions to manage domain names.
• Domain registrars: ICANN doesn't register domain names. A third-party is needed to help purchase a domain name and register it with ICANN. Many web hosting providers are also domain registrars, such as Namecheap, GoDaddy, and IONOS.
• WHOIS privacy: When registering a domain name, you need to submit your name, address, and email. The basic contact details are public information and could lead to spam, identity theft, or unwanted contact. To prevent this, you can get WHOIS privacy protection, which replaces these contact details with a proxy. It's a feature that you may want to consider when purchasing a domain name.
• Domain renewal: Site owners "rent" domain names. You'll have to renew the domain registration to keep using it. Depending on the registration period, you may need to renew the domain registration every year or as infrequently as every 10 years.
• Domain vs. hosting: A domain name directs visitors to your website. Web hosting stores your website files. When visitors type your domain name into a browser, the web hosting provider serves your website to them.

How to choose a domain name

Choosing a domain name is a serious endeavor. Once a domain is registered, you can't edit it if you change your mind. You'll need to purchase a new domain name and redirect traffic from your old domain to your new one. So you’ll want to get it right the first time to avoid additional work.

Here are a few elements to consider when choosing a domain name:

• Research availability: Use search tools from Hostinger or Squarespace to look for domain availability. You'll also want to check that social media handles are obtainable. Careful coordination ensures you have the same name on multiple channels, which helps with brand recognition.
• Try alternative TLDs: Websites with a .com are the most common, but you can also consider other TLD options. A tech site might benefit from an .ai or .io TLD. Pick a TLD that matches the purpose of your site. For example, don't pick a .shop TLD if you aren't selling any products. Choose the right type for your website.
• Use relevant keywords: Common keywords are often unavailable, especially if you are looking for a .com TLD. Adding relevant keywords to your domain can increase your chances of an available name. Just make sure the domain name is easy to remember and relatively short.

How to get a domain name (step by step)

Congratulations, you've picked a domain name. Now it's time to make it official. Here’s the step-by-step guide to buying and registering a domain name.

1. Choose a domain registrar

A domain registrar will submit your domain request to the registry. It also helps manage your domain, including connecting to web hosting services and protecting your domain from unauthorized changes. You'll want to choose a reputable domain registrar that is ICANN-accredited. Some options include Namecheap, GoDaddy, and Hostinger.

2. Purchase the domain name

Using the domain registrar, you'll share basic contact information and provide payment for the domain name. The domain registrar will purchase the domain name on your behalf.

3. Connect your domain to your web hosting service

Web hosting is the place that stores your website content. Many web hosting providers include domain management as part of their services. Some will allow you to purchase a domain name through them.

If you need to transfer your domain to a web hosting service, many providers provide step-by-step guidance. For instance, Hostinger provides a detailed page on the transfer process.

4. Maintain your domain name

You will need to renew your domain name when the registration period expires. Setting up auto-renewal ensures that the domain name remains active.

Here are a few additional tips to safeguard your domain name:

• Use a reputable, ICANN-accredited domain name registrar.
• Enable domain lock to prevent unauthorized transfers.
• Implement WHOIS privacy protection to hide your contact information from public domain records.

FAQs

Bottom line

A domain name is more than a site's address. It's one of the building blocks toward establishing a strong brand and an online presence. A professional domain name signals credibility and relevance to visitors.

Once you obtain a domain name, keep it secure with a domain lock, WHOIS privacy protection, and auto-renewal. Don't forget to use a dependable web hosting provider to keep your site safe from malicious threats.