What is a Domain?

A fully qualified domain name (FQDN) generally has a three-part structure, each of them separated by a dot. The first part is the host name (e.g. “www”, which stands for “world wide web”), then comes the name of the website itself, and the last part is the TLD (e.g. “.com”, “.net” or “.org”).

While browsing the internet, you might have come across certain variations, such as help.domain.com or marketing.domain.com. These are called subdomains and are just a portion of the domain.

Similarly, a domain name is different from a uniform resource locator (URL). A URL is the full web address of a site, and it contains more information than the domain alone, such as the internet protocol, the specific file or folder being hosted on a web server, etc.

As mentioned earlier, your domain is the address of your business on the internet. And just like in real life, where your shop is located can speak volumes about your venture. A good domain name can help you communicate your brand and tell your customers what you provide or what they can expect.

A suggestive domain name is therefore essential for creating a good user experience (UX), so you should pick a name your customers will remember.

Domain names also make our experience browsing the internet easier. Whenever you type in a domain name in a browser (https://themarketer.com/resources/glossary/browser-compatibility), a domain name system (DNS) translates it into a computer-readable IP address, so users don’t have to deal with complex strings of figures.

Continuing the location analogy, registering or purchasing a domain is similar to renting online real estate that no other business can use.

Here is what to keep in mind before selecting your domain:

• Include your business name or relevant keywords to rank higher in web searches;
• Mention your location, especially if you operate in one particular market;
• Avoid numbers, dashes, or hyphens to avoid confusion;
• Make sure you are the owner and the primary contact for your domain, so no one else can claim ownership without you knowing;
• Renew your domain registration every year to avoid them being claimed by someone else. You may also consider opting for automatic renewal.