Domain Name Definition: Everything You Need to Know Published: 22 Jun, 2023
Do you want to know the domain name definition and how to use it for your website and online services? If yes, then this article is for you.
A domain name is a unique name that identifies a website or an online service on the internet. It is like a street address that helps users find your site easily. For example, the domain name of this website is enstinemuki.com.
A domain name consists of two parts: a second-level domain (SLD) and a top-level domain (TLD). The SLD is the name that you choose for your website, such as enstinemuki. The TLD is the extension that follows the dot, such as .com, .net, .org, etc.
In this article, we will explain everything you need to know about the domain name definition and how to use it for your online presence.
Domain Name Definition: What is a Second-Level Domain (SLD)?
A domain name is a unique name that identifies a website or an online service on the internet. It has two parts: a second-level domain (SLD) and a top-level domain (TLD). In this section, we will explain the domain name definition of an SLD and how to choose one for your website.
An SLD is the name that you pick for your website. It is usually related to your brand, business, or topic. For example, some well-known SLDs are google, facebook, amazon, etc.
An SLD can have up to 63 characters, but it is better to keep it short, memorable, and relevant. You want your SLD to be easy to type, spell, and say. You also want to avoid using numbers, hyphens, or symbols that might confuse your users.
When choosing an SLD, you should also think about your target audience, keywords, competitors, and availability. You want your SLD to attract your audience, reflect your niche, stand out from your competitors, and be available for registration.
To check the availability of an SLD, you can use tools like Domain Name Generator or Domain Checker. These tools will help you find available SLDs based on your keywords and preferences.
Read Also:
How To Estimate Domain Name Value: A Comprehensive Guide
Top-Level Domain (TLD)
The top-level domain (TLD) is the extension that follows the dot in a domain name. It is also known as the domain suffix or domain extension. For example, some common TLDs are `.com`, `.net`, `.org`, etc.
The TLD indicates the type or category of a website or an online service. For example:
- `.com` stands for commercial and is the most popular TLD for businesses and websites
- `.net` stands for network and is often used by internet service providers or technical websites
- `.org` stands for organization and is usually used by non-profit organizations or communities
There are also country-specific TLDs that indicate the geographic location of a website or an online service. For example:
- `.us` stands for United States
- `.uk` stands for United Kingdom
- `.ca` stands for Canada
There are also new TLDs that have been introduced in recent years to provide more options and variety for domain names. For example:
- `.blog` stands for blog and is ideal for bloggers and content creators
- `.shop` stands for shop and is perfect for e-commerce websites and online stores
- `.io` stands for input/output and is popular among tech startups and developers
When choosing a TLD, you should consider your niche, audience, purpose, and availability. You want your TLD to match your SLD, appeal to your audience, reflect your purpose, and be available for registration.
To check the availability of a TLD, you can use tools like Fudomains Domain Name Generator or Domain Search, These tools will help you find available TLDs based on your SLD and preferences.
Subdomains and FQDNs
Besides the SLD and the TLD, there are also other parts of a domain name that you might encounter. These are subdomains and FQDNs.
A subdomain is a prefix that is added to the left of the SLD to create a separate website or service under the same domain name. For example, some common subdomains are `www`, `blog`, `mail`, etc.
A subdomain can be used for various purposes, such as:
- Creating different versions of a website for different languages or regions
- Creating different sections of a website for different topics or categories
- Creating different services or platforms for different functions or features
A subdomain can be up to 63 characters long, but it is recommended to keep it short, relevant, and descriptive. You want your subdomain to be easy to type, spell, and pronounce. You also want to avoid using numbers, hyphens, or symbols that might confuse your users.
When creating a subdomain, you should also consider your SEO, branding, and usability. You want your subdomain to enhance your SEO, reinforce your branding, and improve your usability.
To create a subdomain, you need to have access to your domain name's DNS settings. You can use tools like DNS Checker or DNS Lookup](https://www.hostinger.com/dns-lookup) to check your DNS settings and create subdomains.
A fully qualified domain name (FQDN) is the complete version of a domain name that includes all the parts: the subdomain, the SLD, and the TLD. For example, the FQDN of this website is `www.enstinemuki.com`.
An FQDN is used to identify a specific website or service on the internet. It is also used to communicate with other websites or services using protocols like HTTP, FTP, SMTP, etc.
An FQDN can be up to 255 characters long, but it is usually shorter than that. You want your FQDN to be unique, accurate, and consistent. You also want to avoid using underscores or spaces in your FQDN.
When using an FQDN, you should also consider your security, performance, and compatibility. You want your FQDN to be secure, fast, and compatible with different browsers and devices.
To check your FQDN, you can use tools like [Ping](https://www.hostinger.com/ping) or [Traceroute](https://www.hostinger.com/traceroute). These tools will help you test your FQDN and its connectivity.
How Do Domain Names Work?
Now that you know what are the parts of a domain name and how to choose them, let's see how domain names work and how to connect them to your website.
The Role of DNS Servers
Domain names work thanks to a system called the Domain Name System (DNS). The DNS is like a phonebook of the internet that stores and translates domain names into IP addresses.
An IP address is a string of numbers and letters that identifies a specific device or server on the internet. For example, the IP address of this website is `104.21.41.211`.
Every website or service on the internet has an IP address that is assigned by its web hosting provider. The web hosting provider is the company that provides the space and resources for storing and running a website or service on the internet.
However, IP addresses are not easy to remember or type for humans. That's why we use domain names instead of IP addresses to access websites or services on the internet.
But how do we go from typing a domain name in our browser to seeing a website on our screen? That's where the DNS servers come in.
The DNS servers are computers that store and manage the records of domain names and their corresponding IP addresses. There are millions of DNS servers around the world that form a hierarchical network.
The DNS servers are divided into four levels:
- Root servers: These are the top-level servers that store the information about all the TLDs in the world. There are 13 root servers that are operated by different organizations.
- TLD servers: These are the second-level servers that store the information about all the SLDs under a specific TLD. For example, there are TLD servers for `.com`, `.net`, `.org`, etc.
- Authoritative servers: These are the third-level servers that store the information about a specific SLD and its subdomains. For example, there are authoritative servers for `enstinemuki.com` and its subdomains.
- Recursive servers: These are the fourth-level servers that act as intermediaries between users and other DNS servers. They cache and forward DNS queries from users to other DNS servers until they find an answer.
Domain Name Definition: How Does a Domain Name Work?
A domain name is a unique name that identifies a website or an online service on the internet. It helps users find your site easily by using a human-readable name instead of a numerical IP address. In this section, we will explain the domain name definition of how a domain name works and how it connects you to the website you want to visit.
When you type a domain name in your browser, your browser sends a DNS query to a recursive server to find the IP address of the website you want to visit. The IP address is a unique number that identifies the website server on the internet. The recursive server is a server that acts as an intermediary between your browser and the DNS system.
The DNS system is a network of servers that store and manage domain names and their corresponding IP addresses. It has four levels of servers: root servers, TLD servers, authoritative servers, and recursive servers. The root servers are the top-level servers that store information about all the TLDs. The TLD servers are the second-level servers that store information about all the SLDs under a specific TLD. The authoritative servers are the third-level servers that store information about a specific SLD and its IP address. The recursive servers are the fourth-level servers that communicate with other servers to find the IP address of a domain name.
The recursive server then contacts the root server, which tells it which TLD server to ask for the specific TLD of the domain name. The TLD is the extension that follows the dot in a domain name, such as .com, .net, .org, etc. The recursive server then contacts the TLD server, which tells it which authoritative server to ask for the specific SLD of the domain name. The SLD is the name that you choose for your website, such as enstinemuki, google, facebook, etc. The recursive server then contacts the authoritative server, which provides it with the IP address of the website. The recursive server then returns the IP address to your browser, which then connects to the website server and requests the web page you want to see.
This process may seem complicated and time-consuming, but it actually happens very fast, usually within milliseconds. This is because DNS servers use caching and other shortcuts to speed up the process and reduce the number of queries.
Caching is a technique that allows DNS servers to store and reuse previous DNS queries and responses for a certain period of time. This way, if a DNS server receives a query for a domain name that it has already resolved before, it can provide the answer from its cache without contacting other DNS servers.
Other shortcuts include using public suffix lists and root hints. Public suffix lists are lists of TLDs and their rules that DNS servers can use to skip querying the root servers. Root hints are files that contain the addresses of the root servers that DNS servers can use to update their cache.
How to Connect Your Domain Name to Your Web Hosting
Once you have registered your domain name and chosen your web hosting provider, you need to connect them together so that your website can be accessible on the internet.
There are two main ways to connect your domain name to your web hosting:
- Using nameservers
- Using DNS records
Using nameservers is the easiest and most common way to connect your domain name to your web hosting. Nameservers are servers that manage the DNS records for a domain name. When you use nameservers, you delegate the DNS management of your domain name to your web hosting provider, who will create and update the DNS records for you.
To use nameservers, you need to obtain them from your web hosting provider and then update them in your domain name registrar's account. For example, if you have a hosting plan with Namecheap, you need to point your domain name to Namecheap's web hosting DNS nameservers: `dns1.namecheaphosting.com` and `dns2.namecheaphosting.com`.
If your domain name is registered with Namecheap, you can do this by following these steps:
1) Sign into your Namecheap account and select Domain List from the left sidebar.
2) Click the Manage button next to your domain name in the list.
3) Find the Nameservers section and select Namecheap Web Hosting DNS from the drop-down menu.
4) Save changes by clicking on the checkmark icon.
If your domain name is registered with another registrar, you will need to follow their instructions on how to update nameservers. You can find some examples.
Using nameservers is convenient and simple, but it also means that you lose control over your DNS settings. If you want to have more control over your DNS settings or use different services for different subdomains, you may want to use DNS records instead.
DNS records are entries that specify how a domain name or a subdomain should be resolved. There are different types of DNS records for different purposes, such as:
- A record: This record maps a domain name or a subdomain to an IP address.
- CNAME record: This record maps a domain name or a subdomain to another domain name or subdomain.
- MX record: This record specifies the mail server that handles email for a domain name or a subdomain.
- TXT record: This record provides additional information or verification for a domain name or a subdomain.
To use DNS records, you need to obtain them from your web hosting provider and then create them in your domain name registrar's account. For example, if you have a hosting plan with Namecheap, you need to create an A record for your domain name that points to Namecheap's shared IP address: `185.61.152.54`.
If your domain name is registered with Namecheap, you can do this by following these steps:
1) Sign into your Namecheap account and select Domain List from the left sidebar.
2) Click the Manage button next to your domain name in the list.
3) Find the Advanced DNS tab and click on it.
4) Click the Add New Record button and select A Record from the drop-down menu.
5) Enter @ in the Host field and 185.61.152.54 in the Value field.
6) Save changes by clicking on the checkmark icon.
If your domain name is registered with another registrar, you will need to follow their instructions on how to create DNS records. You can find some examples.
Using DNS records gives you more flexibility and control over your DNS settings, but it also requires more technical knowledge and maintenance. You will need to create and update DNS records for each service or subdomain that you want to use with your domain name.
How to Find and Buy a Domain Name for Your Website
Now that you know how domain names work and how to connect them to your web hosting, let's see how to find and buy a domain name for your website.
Finding and buying a domain name is a simple and straightforward process that involves the following steps:
- Choose a domain name that is memorable, branded, and relevant for your website
- Check the availability of your domain name using a domain name generator or a domain checker tool
- Register your domain name with a domain name registrar or a web hosting provider
- Transfer your domain name to another registrar or provider if needed
Choose a Domain Name
Choosing a domain name is one of the most important decisions you will make for your website. Your domain name is your online identity, your brand, and your first impression. You want your domain name to be memorable, branded, and relevant for your website.
Here are some tips to help you choose a great domain name:
- Use keywords that describe your niche, topic, or industry
- Use your brand name or create a unique name that stands out
- Keep it short, simple, and easy to type, spell, and pronounce
- Avoid using numbers, hyphens, or symbols that might confuse your users
- Choose a TLD that matches your SLD, audience, purpose, and availability
You can use tools like Fudomain name generator or Fudomains name checker to help you find available domain names based on your keywords and preferences.
Check the Availability
Once you have chosen a domain name, you need to check if it is available for registration. You can do this by using a domain name generator or a domain checker tool.
A domain name generator is a tool that generates domain name suggestions based on your keywords and preferences. It can help you find creative and catchy domain names that are available for registration.
A domain checker is a tool that checks the availability of a specific domain name across different TLDs. It can help you find out if your desired domain name is taken or not.
Register Your Domain Name
Once you have found an available domain name, you need to register it with a domain name registrar or a web hosting provider.
A domain name registrar is a company that sells and manages domain names. When you register a domain name with a registrar, you become the owner of that domain name for a certain period of time, usually one year. You can renew your domain name before it expires or transfer it to another registrar if needed.
A web hosting provider is a company that provides the space and resources for storing and running websites or online services on the internet. When you register a domain name with a web hosting provider, you also get web hosting services for your website. You can connect your domain name to your web hosting account using nameservers or DNS records.
You can use tools like Fudomain name generator or Fudomains name checker to help you find available domain names based on your keywords and preferences.
Transfer Your Domain Name
If you want to change your domain name registrar or provider, you can transfer your domain name to another one. This may be because you want to get better prices, services, features, or support from another company.
To transfer your domain name, you need to follow these steps:
- Unlock your domain name at your current registrar or provider
- Get the authorization code (EPP code) for your domain name from your current registrar or provider
- Initiate the transfer at your new registrar or provider by entering the authorization code
- Confirm the transfer via email from both registrars or providers
- Wait for the transfer to complete within 5-7 days
You can use tools like Hostinger Domain Transfer to transfer your domain name with Namecheap or other registrars or providers.
Domain Name Definition FAQs
What is the difference between a domain name and a URL?
A domain name is a unique name that identifies a website or an online service on the internet. A URL (Uniform Resource Locator) is a specific address that locates a web page or a resource on the internet. A URL consists of several parts, including the protocol, the domain name, the path, the query, and the fragment. For example, in the URL `https://www.enstinemuki.com/blog/how-to-write-in-depth-articles/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic#comments`, the domain name is `enstinemuki.com`.
How long can a domain name be?
A domain name can be up to 255 characters long, including the dots. However, each part of a domain name (the SLD, the TLD, and the subdomain) can be up to 63 characters long. It is recommended to keep your domain name as short and simple as possible for better usability and memorability.
How much does a domain name cost?
The cost of a domain name depends on several factors, such as the registrar, the provider, the TLD, the demand, and the duration. Generally, a domain name can cost anywhere from a few dollars to thousands of dollars per year. You can use tools like Domain Name Generator or Domain Checker to compare and find the best prices for your domain name.
How often do I need to renew my domain name?
You need to renew your domain name before it expires, which is usually one year after you register it. You can choose to renew your domain name for one year or more, depending on your registrar or provider. You can also choose to enable auto-renewal for your domain name, which will automatically renew your domain name before it expires and charge your payment method accordingly.
- What are some best practices for managing my domain name?
- Some best practices for managing your domain name are:
- Keep your contact information and payment method updated with your registrar or provider
- Enable auto-renewal and privacy protection for your domain name
- Monitor your domain name's expiration date and renewal status
- Secure your domain name with SSL certificates and DNSSEC
- Backup and restore your domain name's DNS records
Conclusion
We hope this article has helped you understand what a domain name is and how to use it for your website and online services. A domain name is a vital component of your online identity and presence, so make sure you choose it wisely and manage it properly.
If you are looking for a reliable and affordable registrar or provider for your domain name, we recommend Namecheap. Namecheap offers a wide range of domain names, web hosting services, email hosting services, and other online services at competitive prices and with excellent customer support.
If you have any questions or feedback about this article, please feel free to leave a comment below. We would love to hear from you and help you with your online journey.