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One of the essential steps of building a website is choosing a domain name. For a first-timer, all of the domain-related terminologies can be confusing. Even the word “domain name” itself may sound new.

However, a domain name is among the critical parts of a website. It’s representative of the whole site and helps business owners build their brands. On top of that, an excellent domain name can bring SEO benefits to a website.

For the above reasons, it’s best to equip yourself with knowledge about domain names before building a website.

This article will help understand related terms and topics regarding domain names by answering ten frequently asked questions. Let’s start.

1. What are Domain Names?

A domain name is words or phrases that act as a website address. They’re what users type into their browser to get to a specific site. However, a domain name isn’t synonymous with a URL. It’s a part of a URL along with a subdomain and a top-level domain.

In a more technical sense, a domain name is a textual version of a site’s static IP address – a designated string of numbers that point to a website.

With that said, it’s actually possible for users to type in a website’s IP address to their browser to get to its homepage. However, memorizing numbers can be taxing, and there are 1.88 billion websites worldwide to date.

This is where domain names come to the rescue. The ability to name websites makes their addresses more user-friendly. After all, it’s more convenient to memorize techmaganizes than, for example, 123.456.7.89.

2. What is a Domain Name System?

While domain names are helpful for internet surfers to memorize their favorite websites’ addresses, IP addresses help computers communicate with each other.

To fill the communication gap between users and computers, networking engineers developed a domain name system.

A domain name system works like the internet’s phonebook as it maps domain names to IP addresses. Here’s how a domain name system works in a bigger picture:

1. Users type in a domain name into their browsers.
2. The browsers send the query to a DNS.
3. The DNS will scan its database to find the matching IP address for the domain.
4. Once found, the DNS will ask the domain’s nameserver to respond to the query.
5. The nameserver will then retrieve the requested web page.

3. What is a Top-Level Domain?

A top-level domain also called an extension, is the bit following a domain name.

On our site, we have .net as our TLD, and it falls into the generic TLD category. Other examples from this group include .com, .org, and .co, with .com being the most-used.

The other three categories of top-level domains are:

• Country Code TLDs. As the name suggests, ccTLDs are country, territory, or geographical location-specific. .uk and .au are among the popular examples of ccTLDs. However, site owners must talk to the designated ccTLD manager to use one of these extensions.
• Sponsored TLDs. Refer to domain extensions that have sponsors to represent specific organizations or communities. For instance, .travel is an sTLD from the Tralliance Registry Management Company.
• New TLDs. Since January 2014, nTLDs have come into the market. These extensions are great to inform users about a site’s niche. For example, .store is a nice TLD for eCommerce, and .photography is excellent for photography portfolio websites. Other examples include .book, .design, and .shop.

In addition, users need to include the preferred top-level domain when checking a domain name’s availability on a domain checker – more about it in section 6. This is to ensure that your desired name is free to claim with that specific TLD.

4. What are Subdomains?

A subdomain is often called a child domain. It’s the information that comes before a domain name, like mail, docs, and blog. A www on a site’s URL can also be called a subdomain, as it’s the part to the left of a domain.

One of a subdomain’s prominent uses is to part a website into different sections.

Unlike subdirectories, subdomains create their own separate website hierarchy. Thus, it helps simplify the main website’s branching. On top of that, it can eliminate the need to set up another website with a new domain name, saving you some money.

A small business may not be able to take full advantage of subdomains. However, they’re beneficial for larger websites, like eCommerce sites, web applications, extensive content pages, and support pages.

Some popular examples of subdomains include forum, careers, and support. Also, website developers often create “hidden” subdomains to test websites out.

On top of that, subdomains also make it possible to direct visitors to:

• A site’s mobile version. The m you see on a domain name while browsing a site through a mobile device stands for mobile.
• A different language variant of a site. Webmasters can use country code as subdomains to display their sites in other languages.

5. What are Domain Registrars, Resellers, and Registries?

Domain registrars are organizations that take care of domain registrations. When looking for a domain name, it’s advisable to go with the ICANN-accredited domain registrars to ensure the company’s reliability and trustworthiness.

Resellers refer to entities that register a domain name on behalf of the domain owner, called a registrant. Web hosting companies are great examples of resellers.

Registries are the massive database storing all administrative data related to top-level domains. They make sure each registered domain name is unique and not repeated. Thus, a registry also manages information about domains’ subdomains and registrants.

6. What Should I Know Before Getting a Domain?

To avoid misconceptions, website owners should understand how domain registration works.

First of all, domain registrations aren’t one-time purchases.

To retain their ownership, domain owners need to renew their domain every specified period of time. For most registrars, a one-year subscription is a minimum threshold. Although, some providers offer up to a 10-year subscription.

When you want to buy a domain, make sure it’s still free to claim. Check the domain’s availability using a domain checker, such as DomainTyper and Domainr. With such a tool, all you have to do is type in your domain name of choice and click Enter.

If your chosen domain name is unavailable, try your luck with different TLDs before modifying it all at once. Also, these tools will usually offer some similar available domain name suggestions to choose from.

On top of all, conduct due diligence as your desired domain name may have been used before. Therefore, it’s crucial to check the domain’s history and reputation. Conducting this research helps prevent you from using a blacklisted domain name that’s poorly ranked.

7. How to Choose the Best Domain Name?

The perfect domain names weren’t created at a flick of a switch. It may take a while for business owners to come up with interesting ideas and decide on the best name for their companies.

Let’s look at these valuable tips to help you create a perfect domain name:

• Brainstorm for a unique name. A good domain name should be representative of the website. Using a domain name generator, like Domain Wheel, can help provide a starting ground for brainstorming brandable domain ideas.
• Keep it short and straightforward. To help improve memorability and minimize spelling mistakes, a domain name should be around 6-15 characters long. Also, avoid using numbers and special symbols.
• Go for scalability. Ensure that your chosen name supports business expansion by staying away from including your business’s product lines and area of operations. Both elements often make a domain sound too specific.
• Choose the right TLD. Sticking with .com may be the best choice as it speaks for professionalism. However, keep in mind that you also have plenty of great options in the nTLD category.

8. What is Domain Privacy?

Domain privacy refers to a service provided by registrars to keep domain owners’ information private in the WHOIS directory – a public database of all registered domain names.

When domain privacy is enabled, users who want to talk to a domain owner need to contact the registrar first. Then, the domain provider will inform the domain holder about the situation. Only when approved, can they get the registrant’s contact information.

9. Why is Domain Renewal Important?

When registered domains are approaching their expiration dates, domain owners may receive reminders from their registrars to renew their domains immediately. These messages are evidence of how vital domain renewal is.

Apart from retaining ownership, renewing a domain name prevents it from becoming a fake eCommerce website and domain squatting target.

The former occurs when attackers take advantage of neglected expired domain names to set up a fraudulent online store. This situation is highly disadvantageous for the previous owners as it can harm their business’s reputation.

The latter is one of the most annoying hacker tactics. It happens when they buy attractive, expired domain names only to sell them at drastically higher prices to the previous owner.

On top of everything, getting a perfect domain name is becoming more and more challenging. Let alone the cost of business rebranding. Thus, domain owners should be protective of their domains once they’ve got the right one.

10. Can You Sell a Domain Name?

If you want to change your niche and sell your domain name, you can. Many marketplaces provide a place for registrants who wish to advertise their domain names, for instance, Flippa and Sedo.

Hereare several factors that determine your domain’s pricing:

• The domain’s TLD. The .com extension is by far the most valuable.
• Keywords. Domains that use niche keywords are usually worth more as they help boost search engine rankings.
• Generic value. Refers to domain names that can be used in almost any industry.
• Catchiness and brandability. Short domain names are more attractive, easier to remember, and feel less spammy.
• A penalty from Google search. This is a negative score. Thus, the domain’s value can plummet once the marketplace finds out that a domain is denylisted.

Additionally, investing in domains is among the promising ways to earn money online. It’s the practice when an individual or a company actively buys, sells, markets, and publishes domain names that they deem valuable.

Conclusion

So there it is – 10 answers to common FAQ about domain names. While the subject may seem complicated at first, it’s actually relatively easy to understand.

Let’s have a recap on ten domain-related terminologies and topics we’ve covered in this article:

• Domain names. Often called the equivalent of a website address, they’re textual versions of IP addresses.
• Domain name systems. Convert domain names into IP addresses to bridge the communication gap between users and computers.
• Top-level domains. Refer to the last part following a domain name, for example .com, .travel, and .shop.
• Subdomains. Are the bits of information to the left a domain name, for example, www, en, and careers. Their uses include parting a website, providing different language variants for a site, and offering a mobile version.
• Domain registrars, resellers, and registries. Registrars are organizations that take care of domain registrations. Resellers are companies that register domain names on behalf of their holders. Registries are databases storing all domain-related information.
• Registering a domain name. Before doing so, check your chosen name availability and its history. Also, keep in mind that domain holders need to renew their domain names to retain their ownership.
• Choosing the best domain name. For this, keep your domain name short, simple, brandable, and scalable. If stuck during the brainstorming process, get help from domain name generators.
• The importance of domain renewal. Expired domain names may end up being fake online stores and subject to domain squatting.
• Selling a domain name. This practice can be done by promoting it on a domain marketplace.

We hope this article has helped you understand what domain names are exactly and how they work. Use this knowledge when registering your domain name, and you’ll find that the whole process is easier than you may have expected.