What is a domain name?
A domain name is a text string that directs users to a specific webpage. It’s what people type into their browsers to visit a company’s website.
No two websites share an identical domain name. Domain names are also used within email addresses to identify who is sending the email. Often, the domain name in an email address matches a company’s website domain.
Parts of a domain name
learn.g2.com
- Top-level domain: .com
- Second-level domain: g2
- Third-level domain or subdomain: learn
Many businesses use domain registration service providers, also called domain registrars, to purchase and register their domain names for a specified period of time. These providers also offer features like a searchable domain registry of available names or services like transferring domains from one registrar to another or obtaining SSL certification.
Types of domain names
While the types of top-level domain names used to be limited to one or two common names, dozens of domain names are now available to choose from. A business selects one based on its location, industry, and other relevant factors. Some are considered generic, while others are country-specific. Domain name types have varying costs.
These domain name types include:
- .com is the most common domain name type
- .co is available for any business type
- .net is available for any business type
- .org is typically used by organizations, but not required
- .biz is typically used by businesses, but not required
- .mil is only for use by military groups
- .info is available for any business type
- .io is available for any business type
- .edu is only for use by educational institutions
- .gov is only for use by government entities
- .me is typically used by individuals for personal branding and portfolios
- .uk is location-specific for the United Kingdom
- .us is location-specific for the United States
- .ca is location-specific for Canada
- .fr is location-specific for France
- .jp is location-specific for Japan
How to buy and register a domain name
Businesses are unable to “buy” domain names. A domain name is like a rental, rather than a purchase. Domain name registration must be renewed based on the contract terms.
To claim and register the right domain name for the business, follow these steps:
- Choose the desired top-level domain name and second-level domain name.
- Make sure that the domain name is available for use and registration. Perform a domain name search through online tools like WHOIS to determine availability. If the desired name is unavailable, choose a new one and make sure it’s available.
- If the domain name is available, register the name as soon as possible through a domain name registrar. Registrars register the name through the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). Pay the fees required through the domain name registrar.
- Once the domain name is registered, it’s ready for use and cannot be registered by others. It may take a little time to complete the registration, often within 24 hours.
Domain name best practices
When choosing a company’s domain name, keep the following best practices in mind.
- Keep track of when the company’s domain name registration expires. Renew the registration before that date to prevent any website issues or to stop anyone from buying the domain name from underneath the company.
- Don’t choose long second-level domains. Keep the domain name easy to remember and as short as possible.
- If budget allows, register every possible variant or subdomain. If the business might want to use a domain name variant later, it’s best to purchase it now and reserve the domain name.
- Use a top-level domain that matches the business. .com is the most popular and widely-used domain name and is usually a safe bet, but consider other options if they make sense for the business and industry. Don’t choose a top-level domain that doesn’t align with the business.
- Ensure that the desired domain name doesn’t have any trademarks attached. Ideally, this step would already have been completed when naming the business, as it’s best to choose a domain name that’s as close to the business name as possible. Regardless, make sure there are no active trademarks in play with the domain name to avoid any lawsuits.
Domain name vs. URL
A domain name is a predefined text that directs users to a website. It’s tied to an internet protocol (IP) address. Domain names can contain three different levels: the top-level domain, second-level domain, and third-level domain.
A URL, short for uniform resource locator, is a web address that contains the domain name, in addition to other information like security and transfer protocol, that helps browsers take users to the desired page on a website.
Now that you know everything there is to know about domain names, read up on web hosting providers.
Whitney Rudeseal Peet
Whitney Rudeseal Peet is a former freelance writer for G2 and a story- and customer-centered writer, marketer, and strategist. She fully leans into the gig-based world, also working as a voice over artist and book editor. Before going freelance full-time, Whitney worked in content and email marketing for Calendly, Salesforce, and Litmus, among others. When she's not at her desk, you can find her reading a good book, listening to Elton John and Linkin Park, enjoying some craft beer, or planning her next trip to London.
