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All You Need To Know About Domain Name: Comprehensive Guide
In this article, we will discuss about Domain Name, types of Domain Name, Domain Name System (DNS) and the differences between Domain Name and URL.
What Is Domain Name?
A domain name is a unique address that identifies a website on the internet. It is used to help users locate and access websites by providing a human-readable name that corresponds to the underlying IP address of the website’s server.
Types of Domain Name
Domain names consist of three primary components: top-level domains (TLDs), second-level domains (SLDs), and third-level domains or subdomains. It is advisable to select domain types that align with your business, industry, and brand to create a cohesive online presence. Here, we provide insights into the various components of domain names and offer popular choices within each category.
Top-Level Domains (TLDs)
In TLDs, these are the highest-level domain names in the hierarchical DNS structure. TLDs can be further categorized into different types.
Generic Top-Level Domains (gTLDs)
These are general-purpose domain extensions that are not specific to any particular country or region. Examples include .com (commercial), .org (organization), .net (network), .edu (educational institutions), and .gov (government).
Country Code Top-Level Domains (ccTLDs)
These domain extensions are associated with specific countries or geographic regions. They are two-letter codes that represent the country or territory. For example, .us for the United States, .uk for the United Kingdom, .de for Germany, and .fr for France. These ccTLDs are commonly used by businesses, organizations, and individuals in the respective countries or regions.
Second-Level Domains (SLDs)
Second-level domains (SLDs) are the part of a domain name that appears directly to the left of the top-level domain (TLD). In a domain name like “example.com,” the “example” portion is the second-level domain. It is the part that the owner of the domain can customize and choose according to their preference, brand, or business name.
SLDs play a significant role in defining the identity and online presence of a website. They can be descriptive, representing the business or purpose of the website (e.g., “shoestore.com” for an online shoe store) or be more generic (e.g., “johnsmith.com” for an individual’s personal website).
Subomains
A subdomain is a subdivision or extension of a larger domain. It is created by adding a prefix to the front of a domain name, separated by a dot. Subdomains allow for the organization and categorization of content within a website or the creation of separate web properties under the same domain.
For example, in the domain “example.com,” “blog.example.com” is a subdomain. Here, “blog” acts as a subdomain of the main domain “example.com.” Subdomains are typically used to designate specific sections or functionalities of a website, such as a blog, store, support, or any other distinct area of content.
What Is The Domain Name System (DNS)?
Is Domain Name same as Domain Name System DNS)? The answer is NO. A domain name is not the same as the Domain Name System (DNS), although they are related.
Domain Name System (DNS) is a technology that translates domain names into their corresponding IP addresses, which are numerical addresses used by computers to communicate on the internet. DNS serves as a decentralized directory system that helps in the efficient resolution of domain names to IP addresses.
The DNS system consists of a network of servers that store and distribute the information necessary to map domain names to IP addresses. It operates in a hierarchical structure, starting from the root servers, which store information about top-level domains (TLDs), and extends to authoritative name servers that handle specific domain names.
When a user enters a domain name into a web browser, the DNS system is used to translate that domain name into an IP address, allowing the browser to connect to the appropriate server and retrieve the requested content.
Differences About Domain Name vs URL
A domain name and a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) are related but have different meanings. Let’s find out in the following comparison table.
In simple terms, a domain name is an address used to identify a website, while a URL is a complete address that provides the specific location of a resource within that website or on the internet. The domain name is a part of the URL, along with other components that define the precise location and details of the resource being accessed.
Domain Name
A domain name is a part of a URL and represents the human-readable address used to identify a website or resource on the internet. It typically consists of a combination of words or phrases separated by periods, with a domain extension at the end (e.g., example.com). Domain names are registered and controlled by domain registrars.
URL (Uniform Resource Locator)
A URL is the complete address used to locate a specific resource on the internet. It consists of multiple components, including the protocol, domain name, path, query parameters, and fragment identifier. The domain name is just one part of the URL.
For example, in the URL “https://www.example.com/page.html?id=123”, the domain name is “example.com”, and the complete URL specifies the protocol (https), the domain name (example.com), the path (/page.html), the query parameters (?id=123), and the fragment identifier (#).
Check Domain Name Availability
Where can check the domain name availability? To check the availability of a domain name, you can use various domain registration websites or domain registrar platforms.
Here we would like to recommend you some of the platforms that you can visit to check the availability of a domain name.
3. Google Domains (domains.google)
4. Bluehost (www.bluehost.com)
5. HostGator (www.hostgator.com)
6. Domain.com (www.domain.com)
7. Hover (www.hover.com)
8. 1&1 IONOS (www.ionos.com)
9. DreamHost (www.dreamhost.com)
10. Name.com (www.name.com)
These websites typically provide a search bar or domain search tool on their homepages. You can enter the desired domain name into the search field and click the “Search” or “Check Availability” button to see if the domain name is available for registration. If the domain name is taken, they may suggest alternative domain name options or variations.
It’s important to note that different domain registration platforms may offer varying prices, additional services, and user experiences. You can compare their offerings, pricing, and customer reviews to choose the one that suits your needs best.