Before creating an online presence, you need a domain or a domain name.

This is the very first step and will help you get found by searchers on search engines like Google.

So in this post, we will learn:

  • What a domain is
  • What domains are used for
  • Domain names and their parts
  • Different types of domains

Let’s dive right in.

What is a domain?

A domain is the web address someone uses to find your website or its webpage online.

Domains are linked to a website’s IP address.

IP addresses are unique numbers connecting computers to web servers and all websites have them.

They are ideal for computers but hard for people to memorise.

That’s why domains are used, so people can easily remember and search for websites. 

Similar to home addresses.

For example, it’s harder for friends to memorise your home’s GPS coordinates when visiting.

Instead, they input your street address in their phones navigation.

What do domains look like?

Domains are a few words separated by dots, like:

  • blog.examplewebsite.co.uk
  • www.examplewebsite.co.uk

A domain is part of a website’s address or URL.

And a URL has different parts.

For example, let’s take the following URL example:

  • https://blog.examplewebsite.co.uk/website/example-webpage

This URL has the following parts:

  • Protocol: https://
  • Domain name: blog.examplewebsite.co.uk
    • Subdomain: blog
    • Second-level domain: examplewebsite
    • Top-level domain: .co.uk
  • Subdirectory: /website/
  • Path: /example-webpage

Why are domains used?

Domains are used by visitors to find your website.

But the following are other reasons domains are used:

Ownership

A domain means you own your website’s address.

Nobody else can claim it when it’s registered to you.

This means you control:

  • Which websites it links to
  • Its domain name registrar
  • The information on your domain name account
  • Its administrator
  • If and when to sell it

Brand Identity

A domain name for your business helps build online brand identity.

When visitor move from your website’s homepage to its blog, they will notice a consistent:

  • Domain name
  • Colour scheme
  • Typography

Credibility

Having your business’s domain name the same as your business name:

  • Establishes credibility
  • Makes your website legitimate
  • Makes it appear professional to users

Doing so builds trust with visitors who then feel comfortable submitting surveys or forms on your web page.

Remember, don’t go for free templated subdomains from website builders.

Instead, pick a custom website domain name to show your credibility and professionalism to new visitors.

Memorable

Easy to remember domains helps visitors when they are searching and can result in more direct traffic to your website.

Stand Out Against Competitors

Make sure your domain name is simple and catchy.

Doing so will help you stand out from competitors with clunkier or confusing domains.

Build Authority

Domain names can help your website appear in the SERPs over your competitors.

Because older domains have more authority.

And the reason for this is because older domains have had time to build:

  • Quality content
  • Internal links
  • Backlinks

What is a domain name?

A domain name is:

  • The name of a website
  • On the World Wide Web
  • A website’s home address

Plus a domain name does not include its extension, like:

  • .co.uk
  • .com

Note: A domain name’s maximum length is 63 characters and the minimum length is one character.

Domain Name’s Parts

A domain has two parts:

  • The second-level domain
  • The top-level domain

Second-Level Domain (SLD)

The second-level domain is unique to your website and comes before the extension.

So when building a business website, buy a domain based on your business’s name.

Doing so makes it easier for visitors to find your website without spending a lot of time on Google.

Top-Level Domain (TLD)

The top-level domain comes after the second-level domain, also known as the extension.

It’s what your business is registered on the internet.

For example, if your top-level domain is “.co.uk” you’re registered as in the United Kingdom.

Types of domains

  • Generic Top-Level Domains (gTLD)
  • Country Code Top-Level Domains (ccTLD)
  • Internationalized Country Code Top-Level Domains (IDN ccTLD)
  • Subdomain

Generic Top-Level Domains (gTLD)

gTLD is the best known and most used Top-Level Domain: 

  • .com
  • .net
  • .biz
  • .org
  • .info

Country Code Top-Level Domains (ccTLD)

Two letter Top-Level Domains are based on geographical locations and the most common include: 

  • .cn (China)
  • .ru (Russia)
  • .de (Germany)
  • .br (Brazil)
  • .au (Australia)
  • .uk (United Kingdom)
  • .nl (Netherlands)

Internationalised Country Code Top-Level Domains (IDN ccTLD)

These domains can display characters that aren’t Latin like Chinese characters.

Subdomain

A subdomain is part of the main domain and comes before the main domain name:

  • blog.
  • www.

Because a subdomain is at the left of the Second-Level Domain, it’s known as a third-level domain (3LD).

Conclusion

To get a domain name, you need to:

  • Buy one
  • Register it

Do this by:

  • Visiting a domain name registrar
  • Checking if the domain name you want is available
  • And buying it

Obviously this is the simplified version.

You have to try a good few times before you find an available domain.

And then check if the price is right.

Now it’s over to you.

Tell me what steps you go through when buying a domain and where you prefer to buy them from?

Let me know in the comment section below.