What is a domain name and how do domains work?

July 26, 2023

A domain name is a unique and human-readable address that identifies a specific location on the internet. It serves as the user-friendly name for a website, making it easier for people to access websites without having to remember complex IP addresses.

Domain names consist of two main parts: the second-level domain (SLD) and the top-level domain (TLD). For example, in the domain name “example.com,” “example” is the SLD, and “.com” is the TLD. There are various TLDs available, such as “.com,” “.org,” “.net,” “.edu,” “.gov,” and many more. Additionally, there are country-code TLDs (ccTLDs) like “.us” (United States), “.uk” (United Kingdom), “.ca” (Canada), and so on, specific to individual countries.

How domains work:

  1. Domain Registration: To obtain a domain name, you must register it through a domain registrar, which is a company or organization accredited by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). During the registration process, you choose the desired domain name, check its availability, and pay a registration fee. Most domain registrations are done on an annual basis, and you can renew the domain before it expires to retain ownership.
  2. DNS (Domain Name System): After registering a domain, it needs to be connected to a specific server that hosts the website’s content. This is achieved through the Domain Name System (DNS), which translates the human-readable domain name into the corresponding IP address of the server where the website’s files are stored. When you enter a domain name in your web browser, the DNS system resolves it to the correct IP address, allowing you to access the website.
  3. Web Hosting: To associate a domain name with a website, you also need web hosting services. Web hosting providers store the website’s files, images, databases, and other content on their servers. When someone visits your domain name, the web hosting server delivers the website’s content to the visitor’s web browser.
  4. Subdomains: Domain owners can create subdomains that function as separate sections or sub-sites of the main domain. For example, “blog.example.com” is a subdomain of “example.com.”
  5. Domain Name System Hierarchy: Domains follow a hierarchical structure, with the root domain represented by a single dot (.), followed by the TLD, the SLD, and any subdomains. For example, “https://www.example.com” consists of the subdomain “www,” the SLD “example,” and the TLD “.com.”

Domains are essential for establishing an online presence and giving websites recognizable and memorable names. They play a critical role in branding, marketing, and accessibility on the internet, making it easier for users to find and access websites and other online resources.

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