What is a domain name?
A domain, or domain name, is the unique name associated with a particular website. You can think of a domain as simply the name people can enter online to find your website. When you visit a website directly, you’re putting the website’s domain into your browser’s address bar. Money.com and Hostinger.com are both examples of domain names.
Common types of domains
When you look at a domain name — like Money.com — the characters to the left of the dot are called the second-level domain (SLD). This is to differentiate it from the top-level domain (TLD) to the right of the dot, also called the domain extension.
You’ve probably seen a “DNS Error” message on a website that wasn’t loading: the Domain Name System (DNS) tells computers where to go when looking for a website. On your site’s end, the directions of where to go are called nameservers, and pointing them where they need to go is one of the main services a web registrar offers.
Read MoreWhy does owning your domain name matter?
You want to own your domain name for two reasons:
You should register your domain in case there’s a similar business out there that also intends to purchase the name. This is also why opting into auto-renewal is recommended, as your ownership will be codified for the year before it ever comes up for auction...
- It’s a valuable business asset that gives your brand credibility and accessibility
- It gives you control over the name and brand
