A domain, or domain name, is a unique, easy-to-remember name that’s associated with a website’s IP address. It’s what appears after the @ sign in an email address and after www in a web address.
For example, in the email address yourname@domain.com, domain.com is the domain.
Domains are a key part of the internet infrastructure, making it easier for people to find and remember websites:
Human-readable
Domains are easier to remember than IP addresses, which are strings of numbers that can change over time.
Online presence
A domain name is essential for building an online presence, such as a blog or online store.
First impression
A domain name can impact how people perceive a website before they even see its content.
Anyone can purchase a domain name from a domain host or registrar. The process involves finding a name that’s not already in use and paying a small annual fee.
Domain owners can also create subdomains, which are domains that are part of a larger domain. For example, mail.google.com, www.google.com, and docs.google.com are all subdomains of the domain google.com.
How Does A Domain Name Work?
A domain name is a string of characters that allows users to access a website by translating a website’s IP address into a more readable format:
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- When a user enters a domain name into a browser, the request is sent to the Domain Name System (DNS) server.
- The DNS server searches its database to find the IP address associated with the domain name.
- The DNS server returns the IP address to the user’s browser.
- The user’s browser uses the IP address to connect to the web server.
- The web server sends the requested files back to the user’s browser.
- The user’s browser displays the website’s content.
Here are some other things to know about domain names:
- Domain name structure
A domain name is made up of two parts: the second-level domain (SLD) and the top-level domain (TLD). The SLD is the part that appears after “www.” and the TLD is the last section, such as “.com”. - Domain name registration
Domain names are registered for a year and usually renew automatically unless the owner disables it or their payment information no longer works. - Domain privacy
Domain privacy protects a user’s information from being publicly available when someone looks up their domain name. - Domain name ownership
When a domain name is purchased, the buyer owns it outright, but they must register it under their name and pay the appropriate fees.
As of the second quarter of 2024, there were 362.4 million domain name registrations across all top-level domains (TLDs):
What Is A Top-Level Domain?
A top-level domain (TLD) is the part of a domain name that comes after the last dot:
Definition: The rightmost segment of a domain name, or domain suffix
Purpose: Helps classify and communicate the purpose of a domain name
Examples: In the domain name “google.com”, “.com” is the TLD
Other examples: “.org”, “.uk”, and “.edu” are also popular TLDs
TLDs have several purposes, including:
Helping users remember web addresses: A memorable TLD can make a brand more accessible and memorable
Indicating affiliation: TLDs can indicate affiliations with governments, academic institutions, and other countries.
Recognizing website elements: TLDs can help users identify certain elements of a website, such as its purpose, owner, or geographical area.
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) has authority over all TLDs, but delegates responsibility to various organizations. For example, VeriSign operates all “.com” and “.net” TLDs.
The concept of TLDs was created in the 1960s by ARPANET to make it easier to memorize IP addresses.
Different Types of Top-Level Domains
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) recognizes the following types of TLDs. However, only the first three are available for public registration.
Generic Top-Level Domain (gTLD)
Generic top-level domains are the most popular domain extensions for general use. Some of the most popular generic TLDs include:
- .com – originally created for commercial sites, it’s now the most widely used TLD.
- .org – often associated with nonprofit organizations or charities.
- .net – popular among tech-based companies and network providers.
- .biz – caters to commercial use.
As securing domains with old gTLDs is getting harder, new industry-specific gTLDs like .online and .shop are gaining popularity. Not all domain registrars offer the same generic TLD options, so it’s best to shop around before buying.
Keep in mind that certain gTLDs like .gov, .edu, or .bank require proof that you belong to the relevant community or sector.
