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This page is written by TechRadar Pro's web hosting editor with FAQ contributions from Mirza Bahic.
You can go to the best domain registrars and buy a domain name but why do you need to and how does it all work? It's not as complicated as it may seem. It's just like a transport network and a delivery service. The internet is like roads and junctions between houses and the way we browse the internet is like using postal workers to send and receive messages. Domain names are just like addresses on postcards.
In this explainer I'll dive deeper into this analogy and gradually expand on the key concepts until you're a domain name expert too.
The simple explanation of a domain name
Imagine you're sitting at home and you want to see a picture of your friend's cat on the other side of the world. You could write a letter, put it in an envelope, put an address on it and a postal worker will deliver it to your friend. They can then pop a picture of their cat in an envelope and send it to you.
The world wide web is basically the same. The internet is the roads and transport network but instead of cars traveling to and from destinations it's ones and zeros traveling through wires.
The address of your friends home is essentially no different to the address of a website. A website, instead of being stored in a house is stored in a server and each server has an IP address which is unique to that server. The IP address of TechRadar.com is 199.232.198.114 but that's hard to remember and who wants to enter that into an address bar every time they want to visit a website? No one.
This is where the domain name comes in. A domain name is tied to an IP address. So, if you want to go to TechRadar.com you don't need to type 199.232.198.114, instead you can just write the name of the website.
Understanding the parts of a domain name
Top Level Domain
You actually already know what this is. If I asked you to name five you could. Here's the first five that come to the top of my head.
- .com
- .org
- .online
- .ai
- .net
A top level domain (TLD) is the bit that comes after the final dot. There were originally only seven (.com, .org, .net, .edu, .gov, .mil, and .arpa) these are called gTLDs and all are managed by ICANN an organization that is still the authority on domain names. The different TLDs were to signify different types of institutions. For example, .com was for companies, .gov for governments, and .mil for the military.
Which TLD you use today will still give your website an assumed identity. If you use .org you're likely to be seen as a non-profit while if you use .com you're going to be seen as a company.
Now, there is a lot more choice. There are now hundreds of gTLDs (which some like and some don't), the addition of country code TLDs (ccTLDs) and sponsored TLDs (sTLDs)
While ICANN are the governing body many TLDs are owned by private enterprises. When you register a domain with a TLD you pay the TLD owner for the right to use their TLD and a fee to ICANN, and possibly a fee to the domain registrar which acts as a broker between you and and the owner of the TLD.
Second level domain
This part is the name you registrar with the TLD. Facebook, Google, and Reddit are all second level domains registered with .com and some other TLDs probably too. If I go to Google.net I end up in the same place as Google.com and that's because Google have registered Google as a second level domain across multiple TLDs to protect their business. This is something that lots of companies will do when purchasing a domain name.
Recap: What is a domain name?
So, what is a domain name? It's a second level domain registered with a top level domain that is linked to the address of a web server. It's used so people can easily access websites instead of needing to remember the IP address and can also help people understand the nature of a business before they've even visited a website.
Domain name vs URL: What’s the difference?
So, if facebook.com, google.com, and techradar.com are all domain names, what are the bits that come behind and after it like https://www.techradar.com/web-hosting/best-web-hosting-service-websites?
This whole thing is a URL. A URL is like the full address on a postcard. It has the name of the recipient and some other stuff to help it get to where it belongs like possibly the room number and the postcode. We can break up the URL into these parts:
https:// This is a protocol. Basically this is telling the postal workers what process to use when delivering mail.
www. A lot of the time we don't actually need this anymore. The internet and the world wide web are different things. The internet is the infrastructure and the world wide web is one usage of the internet. We used to need to specify that we're looking for a website on the world wide web but we don't need to do that anymore because it's the standard now. We just include this out of habit. You can type in TechRadar.com and it will work too. Some websites still require the use of www.
subdomain My example doesn't contain a subdomain (technically www. is a subdomain but I don't want to make things more complicated than they need to be) a subdomain is something you can put before the domain name to help you manage sections of a website. For example google uses https://news.google.com/ and earth.google.com. If you own the domain name you can create subdomains for it.
techradar This is a the name you register with a TLD which makes up the domain name which helps people remember your website and access it.
.com This is the TLD. As mentioned earlier, different TLDs give your website different characteristics. Each TLD is managed by a different entity which we will talk about later. You don't need to worry about this as this is all taken care of by the domain registrar.
/web-hosting/best-web-hosting-service-websites everything after a / is a path. Each website is made of multiple files and paths help the post worker find the file that they're looking for. This is saying the best web hosting service websites page is in the web hosting folder.
There are more things you can put in a URL to help a web browser display a web page like characters to automatically play videos but that's a topic for another time and we don't need to know any of that to understand domain names.
How do domain names work?
DNS
Earlier we mentioned how domain names are linked to an IP address of a server. This is done by the domain name system. The domain name system is lots of different servers that are positioned in strategic locations that link the domain name with the IP address. It's like a big address book. When you go to techradar.com a request is sent out over the internet to access this web page. The request, that contains techradar.com, will land at a server and techradar.com will be 'resolved' to 199.232.198.114. The request is then sent to 199.232.198.114 to access the website. I'm missing out some steps but this is the deepest we need to go to understand domain names.
Maintenance
When you have a domain name, you need to pay a renewal fee each year. Part of this fee goes to your domain registrar, part goes to the entity that owns the TLD, and part will go to ICANN. This money is used to maintain the infrastructure to keep domain name resolution happening securely, and quickly.
Domain name FAQs
If the sentence "A domain name is a second level domain name registered to a top level domain through a domain registrar that is resolved over the DNS system to help you browse the internet easily" makes sense then I think it's safe to say you understand domain names. You might have some more questions related to domain names so I've answered some of the more common ones.
What is SSL and how is it linked to domain names?
SSL is a security protocol that verifies that a connection between a web browser and the server where a website is stored is genuine. Naughty people can try and trick you into thinking you're visiting one website when they have in fact directed you to a spoof. Then, they try and steal any information you give them including log on details and passwords and banking information. SSL is used to make sure that the domain name you type into a browser or link you click on to go to a website takes you to the actual website.
This is done with an SSL certificate. The certificate is stored on the server and your web browser verifies that the certificate is valid and then encrypts all communication between you and the server and also verifies that the server is owned or managed by the same people that own or manage the domain name.
What is a domain registrar and what are its responsibilities?
To put it simply, a domain registrar is a company responsible for managing the registration of domain names. When you want to claim a specific domain name for your site, you can go through a domain registrar to officially register it. So, they act as the intermediary between you and the governing bodies that oversee domain names.
The responsibilities of a domain registrar include facilitating the registration process, ensuring the availability of domain names, maintaining accurate records of registrations, and handling the technical aspects of domain management (such as DNS configuration and domain transfers).
Also, the best domain registrars maintain accurate records of registrations, keeping track of important details such as registration dates, expiration dates, and ownership information. The aim is to ensure the transparency and integrity of the domain registration system.
So, a domain registrar is a go-to solution for securing and managing a domain name.
What are subdomains and parked domains?
In addition to the classification of domain names we’ve covered above, there are also two types of domain names you’ve probably heard about - subdomains and parked domains.
Subdomains act as an extension of your main domain name and allow you to create separate sections or subsections within your site. For instance, if a main domain is "google.com," a subdomain could be something like "blog.google.com" for a blog section or "shop.google.com" for an online store. This way, subdomains can help you organize and categorize your content, making it easier for visitors to navigate your site.
At the same time, parked domains describe domain names that are registered but not actively used for a site. At the bottom, they’re placeholders that can be used to reserve a domain for future use or to redirect visitors to another site. This makes them particularly useful for businesses that want to protect their brand.
Both subdomains and parked domains add flexibility and alternative options for making and managing your online presence. While subdomains can help you structure your site, parked domains can serve as placeholders or redirect tools.
How to choose the right domain name?
Before buying a domain name, you’ll want to do some brainstorming and research potential domain names that match your site's mission. Remember, you can’t change your domain name once it’s registered. So, you should consider carefully what to call it.
Here are the top five tips to guide you in choosing the right domain name:
1. Keep it simple and easy to memorize
Opt for a domain name that is easy to remember and pronounce. Short and straight-to-the-point names tend to stick in people's minds and are more likely to be remembered and revisited.
2. Avoid confusing spelling, hyphens, and numbers
Steer clear of confusing spelling, hyphens, or the use of numbers that may create ambiguity or make it difficult for your audience to remember or type your domain name accurately. To avoid any confusion, stick to clear and straightforward word choices that are simple to type and comprehend.
3. Think about the extension
Select a TLD (such as “.com”, “.org”, or “.net”) that aligns with your site's purpose. Also, while “.com” is widely recognized and considered trustworthy, most of the top names have already been claimed by the competition. So, consider other extensions that are suitable for your specific industry or target market.
4. Make sure it reflects your brand
Ideally, your domain name should be a reflection of your brand identity. That’s why you’ll want to incorporate relevant keywords or your brand name and create a strong connection with your target audience.
5. Carry out trademark research
Before picking out your domain name, take time to perform a search and ensure it doesn't infringe on any existing trademarks. This step helps protect your brand and avoids legal complications.
Also, it’s smart to make sure your chosen domain isn’t registered on social media sites such as Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter (now known as X).
How to buy a domain name?
Fortunately, buying a domain name is simpler than choosing one - this straightforward process that can be done in a couple of steps. Here's a short guide on how to purchase your domain name:
1. Choose a reliable domain registrar
Select a reputable domain registrar to facilitate the registration process. Some of the popular registrars include GoDaddy, Namecheap, and Google Domains.
2. Check domain name availability
To check if your desired domain name is available, use the registrar's search tool - it’s as simple as entering a domain name and hitting the Enter button. If the name is already taken, consider alternative suggestions or try using a different domain extension.
3. Select the domain name
Once you find an available domain name that meets your needs, add it to your cart.
4. Provide information
Enter the necessary details, including your contact information, payment method, and any additional services you may require, such as privacy protection or web hosting.
5. Complete the purchase
After you review your order details, go ahead and finalize the purchase by making the payment. That’s it, you’ve bought a domain name.
Alternatively, you can purchase a domain name on domain marketplaces where individuals sell their registered domains or by contacting a domain broker who can assist you in acquiring a domain name from its current owner.
What are the red flags to look for when buying a domain name
When picking out and purchasing a domain name, it's important to stay vigilant and aware of potential red flags that could indicate issues or complications down the road. Here are a few key red flags to watch out for:
1. Suspiciously small price
Be cautious of domains being sold at significantly lower prices than their average market value. Such offers may suggest the domain has a poor reputation, legal complications, or hidden issues.
2. Shady seller or marketplace
If the seller or marketplace lacks credibility or has a history of fraudulent activities, it's wise to be extra careful and avoid it. So, research the reputation and reviews of the seller or platform before proceeding with the purchase.
3. Incomplete or inaccurate documentation
To stay on the safe side, ensure that all essential documentation (such as ownership records and transfer authorization) is provided accurately and in full. Incomplete or sketchy documentation can lead to complications during the transfer process.
4. Expired or near-expiration domains
Check the expiration date of the domain you plan to purchase. If it's close to expiring or has already expired, it may require extra work and fees to recover or renew the domain.
5. Trademark or legal issues
Conduct thorough research to confirm that the domain name you're interested in does not infringe on any existing trademarks. If you don’t, you could end up with legal complications or even lose your domain.
By staying alert to these red flags, you can minimize the risks associated with purchasing a domain name and securing a smoother and more secure transaction.
What is domain privacy protection?
When you purchase a domain, your personal information (including your name, address, email, and phone number) is required to be listed in the public WHOIS database. Here is where domain privacy protection comes into play.
It protects your personal information from prying eyes by replacing it with the registrar's contact information. This way, your sensitive data remains hidden from spammers, identity thieves, and other malicious actors. So, you can safeguard yourself from unsolicited emails, unwanted solicitations, and potential privacy breaches.
It's also worth noting that some domain extensions require domain owners to provide accurate contact information, so domain privacy protection may not be available for all domains.
Final thoughts on domain names
That’s it, now you have a solid understanding of what a domain name is and its significance in building a beautiful online presence.
Before we conclude, here are a few key takeaways to keep in mind as you embark on your domain name journey.
1. Opt for an official, reputable domain registrar
When choosing a domain name, it's recommended to go through an official registrar rather than relying on free domain services. This ensures a smoother and more reliable registration process.
2. Choose your domain wisely
Opting for a catchy and simple-to-spell domain name is crucial for your site’s success. So, take time to brainstorm and search for a name that closely represents your brand or site and resonates with your audience.
3. Consider multiple TLDs
To protect your brand and prevent cybersquatting or scams, consider purchasing different domain extensions or variations of your domain name. This can also help maintain your online identity and prevents confusion among visitors.
4. Welcome SSL certificates
If your site collects sensitive information or handles online transactions (as most sites do), installing an SSL certificate is a must.
It encrypts data transmission, strengthens security, and inspires trust in your visitors.
5. Prioritize privacy
Look for a domain hosting provider that offers privacy features to protect your personal information from being publicly available in WHOIS databases. This will keep you from unasked communications and potential privacy breaches.
By keeping these tips in mind, you'll be armed with the knowledge to make wise decisions and pave the way for a prosperous online presence with your domain name.
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