How domain names work When someone enters a domain name into their browser, their device sends a request to the Domain Name System (DNS). The DNS acts like the internet’s phone book, quickly matching the domain name to the correct IP address so the browser knows where to go. This entire process happens behind the scenes in milliseconds, allowing visitors to reach your website without ever needing to know the numerical address. This system is what allows the internet to function smoothly at scale, handling billions of lookups every day without users ever noticing. Here’s how it works:
- Request When you want to visit a website, you type its name into the browser (like typing google.com). Your computer doesn’t know where to find that website yet, so it asks your internet provider’s server for the address. 2. Server lookup If your internet provider’s server doesn’t already know where the website is, it starts a search. The provider’s server asks other servers around the world until it finds the one that knows exactly where the website is. 3. Authoritative DNS server The server that holds the exact address of the website is called the “authoritative DNS server.”
- Once the provider’s server reaches this special server, it gets the exact address (IP address) for the website you want to visit. 4. Response Once the authoritative server gives the address, the provider’s server remembers it for next time, so it doesn’t have to ask again on your next visit. It then sends that address back to your computer, so your browser can find the website. 5. Connection Now that your computer knows the address of the website, it can connect to the website’s server (where the website is stored). This is when your browser finally loads the page you want to see. Types of domain names There are many types of domains that can go with your website. Let’s understand each of them first. Type Description Example gTLD General, global extensions anyone can register. .com, .net, .org ccTLD Country-specific domains for local audiences. .us, .uk, .ca, .au IDN ccTLD Local-language versions. .中国, .рф, .السعودية sTLD Restricted domains limited to specific organizations. .edu, .gov, .mil Subdomain A section of your main site. blog.example.com SLD The main part you choose before the extension. “example” in example.com Generic top-level domains (gTLD) These are the most well-known top-level domain extensions worldwide.
- They are not tied to any specific country or region and usually available for registration by one. Here are some of the most popular gTLDs: .com .net .biz .org .info Among all these domain extensions, .com is widely regarded as the most popular gTLD. As of 2024, approximately 44.4% of global website used a .com top-level domain. Country code top-level domains (ccTLDs) Unlike gTLDs, ccTLDs are two-letter domain extensions that show which country or region a website is connected to. For example: .us is for the United States .uk is for the United Kingdom .ca is for Canada .au is for Australia This domain extension is best for local business that wants to target a specific audience of a region or country. Internationalized country code top-level domains (IDN ccTLD) These domain extensions let businesses use website addresses in their own native language and characters, instead of just using the English alphabet. For example: .中国 is the Chinese version of .cn for China .рф is the Cyrillic version of .ru for Russia .السعودية is the Arabic version of .sa for Saudi Arabia These domains help make the internet more accessible and inclusive for people who read and write in different languages.
- Subdomains A subdomain is a part of your main domain that works like a separate section of your website. It appears before your main domain name, like blog.yourfashionstore.com. Subdomains are great for organizing content. You can use one for your blog, shop, or help center while keeping everything tied to your main site. It’s a simple way to keep things structured without needing a new domain. Sponsored top-level domains (sTLD) sTLDs are domain extensions that are sponsored by a specific organization or community. These domains are often used by groups that share a common interest or goal. In addition, these organizations also ensure that websites using these domains meet specific requirements. For example: .edu is for educational institutions .gov is for government entities .mil is for the military These domain extensions are typically restricted to certain types of organizations or groups, and not all are accessible to the public. Second-level domain (SLD) A second-level domain is the part of the domain name that comes directly before the top-level domain (TLD). For example, in “yourfashionstore.com,” “yourfashionstore” is the second-level domain.
SLDs are what businesses, organizations, and individuals choose as their unique identifier on the internet. When selecting an SLD, it’s important to pick something memorable, relevant to your brand, and easy to type. How is a domain name different from a URL? Element Description Example Domain The name that identifies your site example.com URL The full web address to a specific page https://example.com/about While a domain and a URL might sound similar, they have distinct meanings. By definition, a domain is the human-readable address that identifies a website, such as example.com. It represents the online identity of a business or individual.
Domavest, a URL is the complete web address that specifies the exact location of a specific page or resource on the internet. It often includes the protocol (such as http:// or https://), the domain name, and the specific path or resource on the server (e.g., folders, subfolders, or filename). In simpler terms, a domain is the broad identifier for a website, while a URL provides the specific address to access a particular page within that website.
Components of domain names A domain name is made up of different parts that each serve a purpose. The top-level domain (TLD) often reflects a category or use case, while the second-level domain is chosen by the site owner and represents the brand itself. Subdomains are optional and are typically used to organize different sections of a website, such as a store or blog. Knowing what these parts are can help you choose a better domain, manage it more effectively, and understand how the internet connects users to websites. Let’s break down the key components of a domain name and what each one means. Protocol As mentioned above, protocol includes “http//” or “https://” which specifies the manner of data transfer between a browser and a web server.
The latter is more secure because the client and server’s communication is more encrypted compared to the former. Subdomain A subdomain is a prefix that precedes the domain name. This means that a domain is a part of another domain. For example, blog.example.com has “blog” as the subdomain. The blog.example.com belongs to the primary domain which is “example.com.” Domain name The domain name is the central and unique part of a web address, representing a website. For instance, example.com has “example” as the domain name. Top-level domain (TLD) The TLD is the highest level in the domain name system and indicates the website’s purpose or category. Common TLDs include .com, .org, and country-specific TLDs like .uk or .ca. Subdirectory/path The subdirectory or path follows the domain name and specifies a specific folder or location within a website.
For example, “example.com/blog” has “blog” as in your website. The role of domain registrars When registering and purchasing a domain name, you need a domain registrar for it. Domain registrars are companies authorized by Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) to register and manage domain names. ICANN is a non-profit organization responsible for managing and coordinating the DNS and the allocation of IP addresses. This organization ensures the stability, security, and integrity of the DNS. They also set policies and guidelines for domain registrars and registries. Some ICANN-recommended key roles of domain registrars include: Registration. Domain registrars allow individuals and businesses to register and purchase domain names for a specific duration, typically on an annual basis.
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DNS management. Registrars provide tools and interfaces to manage DNS settings, including setting up custom nameservers, managing DNS records, and configuring domain-related services. WHOIS management. Registrars collect and maintain WHOIS data, which includes information about the domain name owner, contact details, and registration dates. They also ensure compliance with ICANN’s policies regarding WHOIS data accuracy and privacy. Support and assistance. Registrars offer customer support and assistance with domain-related issues, including technical support, domain transfers, and renewals. One of ICANN’s trusted registrars is Network Solutions. We have served various small businesses to help get their businesses online seamlessly and securely.
Partnering with a registrar will ensure you trouble-free domain name management. How to choose a domain name A domain name is the first thing people see when they visit your site. It plays a key role in how professional and trustworthy your online presence appears. A custom domain signals legitimacy, especially when compared to third-party links or form-based URLs. For businesses, creators, and organizations alike, owning a domain helps establish credibility and gives visitors confidence that they’re in the right place. Here’s how to pick the right one: Think of your own domain name ideas Start by writing down names that fit your brand and are easy to remember. Keep them short, avoid numbers or hyphens, and aim for something people can spell without thinking twice.
One simple way to test this is to say the name out loud—if it needs to be explained every time, it may be too complex. This will make it easier for visitors to find and return to your site. Check domain availability and choose an extension Use a WHOIS lookup tool to check if your chosen domain is available. This helps you avoid choosing a name that’s already owned or even trademarked. Skipping this step can lead to legal trouble or force you to rebrand down the line. If your first choice is taken, try small changes or choose a different extension like .com, .net, or .co. These still feel professional and are easy for people to trust. The right extension also gives visitors a clear idea of what your site is about. While .com remains the most widely recognized extension, it’s no longer the only strong option.
Industry-specific and descriptive extensions can make a domain more memorable and better aligned with what a business offers. In some cases, newer extensions can even help create cleaner, more creative domain names when popular .com options are unavailable. Make it brandable and unique There are thousands of domain names online, so your domain name should be unique. Avoid generic names or ones that are similar to competitors. A unique domain name makes it easier for visitors to remember and helps build brand recognition.
A strong domain name should be easy to say, easy to spell, and easy to remember. Brandable names tend to perform better than keyword-heavy phrases because they’re more distinctive and easier for people to recall. If someone hears your domain in conversation or on a podcast, they should be able to type it correctly without clarification. Consider using your brand name, a catchy phrase, or something that reflects the core of what you offer.