What is a Domain name?
Table of Contents🔻
🔺
What is a Domain name ?
A domain name is a human-readable web address that serves as the identity of a particular location on the internet. It’s used to locate and identify websites on the World Wide Web. Instead of typing a website’s IP address, which is a series of numbers, users can enter a domain name into their browser’s address bar to access a specific website.
Some components of a domain name include
Top-Level Domain (TLD): The TLD is the last part of a domain name, such as “.com,” “.org,” “.net,” “.edu,” or country code TLDs like “.us,” “.uk,” etc. TLDs often indicate the type or purpose of the website.
Second-Level Domain (SLD): The SLD is the main part of the domain name that is chosen by the website owner. For example, in the domain “example.com,” “example” is the second-level domain.
Subdomain: Subdomains are extensions of the main domain and are placed in front of the domain name. For example, in “blog.example.com,” “blog” is a subdomain of “example.com.”
For example, in the domain name “www.example.com“:
- “www” is a subdomain.
- “example” is the second-level domain.
- “.com” is the top-level domain.
Domain names provide a user-friendly way to navigate the internet and are an essential part of the overall structure of the World Wide Web. They are associated with IP addresses, which are numeric identifiers assigned to each device connected to the internet. When you enter a domain name into a browser, it queries the Domain Name System (DNS) to find the corresponding IP address and then connects you to the requested website.
Registering a domain name involves purchasing the rights to use a specific combination of letters and/or numbers within a chosen TLD for a specified period, usually on an annual basis. Domain registration is typically done through domain registrars, which are accredited organizations that manage the reservation of domain names. Once registered, the domain owner has control over its use and can associate it with a hosting provider to make their website accessible on the internet.
What is a Subdomain ?
A subdomain is a domain that is part of a larger domain. It is the portion of the URL that comes before the main domain name. Subdomains are used to organize and navigate to different sections or areas of a website. They allow website owners to create distinct sections with their own unique content, functionality, or branding under the main domain.
Here is the structure of a URL with a subdomain:
Here is the structure of a URL with a subdomain:
In this example:
- “subdomain” is the subdomain.
- “example” is the second-level domain.
- “.com” is the top-level domain (TLD).
Subdomains are often used for various purposes, including:
Organizational Structure: Large websites or organizations may use subdomains to categorize content or services. For instance, “blog.example.com” and “shop.example.com” could represent different sections of a website.
Multilingual Sites: Subdomains can be used to create versions of a website in different languages. For example, “en.example.com” for English and “es.example.com” for Spanish.
Distinct Services: Some websites use subdomains to separate distinct services or applications. For instance, “mail.example.com” for email services or “app.example.com” for a web application.
Testing and Development: Subdomains are often used for testing and development purposes. A “dev.example.com” or “test.example.com” subdomain may be used for staging or beta versions of a site.
User Accounts or Profiles: Websites that have user-generated content may use subdomains to create individual user profiles. For example, “user1.example.com” and “user2.example.com” could represent different user accounts.
Creating a subdomain typically involves configuring the DNS settings for the domain to point the subdomain to a specific directory or location on the server. Subdomains can be set up and managed through the domain registrar or hosting provider’s control panel.
It’s important to note that each subdomain can have its own unique content, design, and functionality, making it a versatile tool for organizing and structuring a website.
What are nameservers ?
Nameservers are part of the Domain Name System (DNS) and play a crucial role in translating human-readable domain names into IP addresses.Â
When you type a domain name into your web browser, The nameservers associated with that domain provide the necessary information to locate the corresponding IP address, allowing your browser to connect to the correct web server.
Domain Registration: When you register a domain, you specify the nameservers that will be responsible for managing the DNS records associated with that domain. These nameservers are typically provided by your hosting provider or domain registrar.
Nameserver Configuration: The domain owner or administrator configures the domain’s nameservers through the domain registrar’s control panel or interface. The nameservers are specified as part of the domain’s DNS settings.
Nameserver Information: Nameservers are identified by domain names, not IP addresses. For example, a nameserver might have the domain “ns1.example.com” and “ns2.example.com.” These domain names are associated with specific IP addresses.
DNS Resolution: When someone enters your domain name into a web browser, their device queries the DNS to find the associated IP address. The DNS resolver contacts the authoritative nameservers for the domain to obtain this information.
Authoritative Nameservers: The authoritative nameservers are responsible for storing and providing the DNS records for a particular domain. These records include information such as the IP address of the web server hosting the website, mail server details, and other configurations.
IP Address Retrieval: The authoritative nameservers respond to the DNS resolver’s query with the IP address associated with the requested domain. The DNS resolver caches this information for a certain period (Time-to-Live or TTL).
Connecting to the Server: With the obtained IP address, the DNS resolver directs the web browser to the correct web server. The browser establishes a connection with that server, and the website is loaded.
In summary, nameservers act as the authoritative directory for a domain’s DNS information. They help translate human-readable domain names into the numerical IP addresses needed to locate and connect to the correct web server. Managing nameservers is an essential aspect of domain configuration, and changes to nameserver settings can impact a domain’s accessibility and functionality.
Conclusion
In conclusion, having a domain is a fundamental and essential step for establishing a distinct and recognizable presence on the internet. A domain serves as the human-readable address for a website, providing a convenient and memorable way for users to access online resources.
Domain FAQ
It is important to have domain names to help potential visitors find your site easily. Without assigned website names, they would have to memorize IP addresses, which are harder to remember.
When you register a domain, the domain name system (DNS) servers will connect it to your website’s IP address.
No, once a web address is registered, it cannot be changed. However, you can buy a new domain and point it to your website.
Domains must be registered for at least one year. After finding a great domain, you can also purchase it with us webmessage for as much years as you want. Also you can setup automatic renewals to ensure that your website name will always be registered to you. The first renewal will occur after one or three years depending on the domain registration duration.
Simply type your ideal web name into the domain name search bar at the top of the page to see whether it’s available.
Then, purchase a domain name, register it, and even obtain a hosting plan for it or CLICK HERE
Each gTLD has a somewhat distinct meaning, so choose the one that is most applicable to your website.
.com domains are often used for commercial purposes, but they’re increasingly being used by default since they convey a level of confidence.
Originally used by networking organizations such as internet service providers, .net domain names are now used for a variety of purposes. .org domains are mostly utilized as a gTLD for charities, communities, and local organizations, as they were intended. .info, on the other hand, is geared towards information-based websites like wikis and tutorials.
There is some wriggle area with all of these gTLDs. There’s no regulation requiring you to use one name over another, and there’s no test you must complete to register one. So instead of regulations, think of them as suggestions.
Finding an available domain name is only one part of choosing the perfect domain. Before performing a domain name search and registration, follow these best practices:
Length. Keep it short; two to three words is ideal.
Simple. Don’t use long or hard-to-spell words.
Keywords. Include a keyword from your industry. For example, if you sell soya beans in Dallas, try dallassoyabeans.com.
Avoid numbers. Numbers are hard to recall and make domains more complex.
Brand name. Include your brand name for maximum awareness.
A webmessage consultant will help you choose your domain name during your free initial consultation. The domain must be selected at the same time as your website design purchase.
Of course. When you register a domain, it belongs to you – and not the company that you registered it with.
As the current owner of the domain, it is easy to switch to webmessage using CLICK HEREWe will walk you through every step of the process.
Your domain name is similar to your address, and your web hosting is similar to your home. To start a website, you’ll need a domain name which others can use to locate you, and hosting which houses the website itself.
A symbiotic link exists between domains and web hosting. While having one without the other is possible, they operate best together. This is why many hosting firms provide domains and many registrars offer hosting.
Webmessage
A Registered Premium Web Hosting, Domain Sales Reseller
- No 9 Abeo Street Surulere, Lagos Nigeria.
No 9 Abeo Street Surulere, Lagos Nigeria.
