A domain name is an address where people can find a website. Domain names are used to identify IP addresses. Domain names are made up of two parts: the name of the website and the extension. The extension is the part that comes after the dot, such as ".com" or ".net".
Domain names are important because they are how people find websites. When someone types a domain name into their browser, the browser will find the IP address associated with that domain name and then display the website.
There are a few different types of domain names, but the most common are Top Level Domains (TLDs). TLDs are the part of the domain name that comes after the dot. For example, ".com" and ".net" are both TLDs. There are also country code TLDs, such as ".us" for the United States or ".uk" for the United Kingdom.
Domain names can be bought from domain name registrars. Once you have a domain name, you need to point it to a web hosting account so people can actually view your website. You do this by changing the DNS (Domain Name System) records for your domain name.
There are a few things to keep in mind when choosing a domain name. First, try to choose a .com domain name if possible. This is the most recognized TLD and will make it easier for people to find your website. Second, make sure your domain name is short and easy to remember. People are more likely to visit a website if they can easily remember the domain name. Finally, avoid using hyphens or numbers in your domain name. These can be difficult for people to remember and type.
If you follow these tips, you should be able to choose a great domain name for your website.
What is a domain registrar?
A domain name registrar is an organization that manages the registration of domain names. A domain name registrar must be accredited by a generic top-level domain (gTLD) registry and a country code top-level domain (ccTLD) registry. Registrars provide registrants with a user interface for managing their domain names and the corresponding DNS records.
Domain name registrars are accredited by ICANN for the purpose of selling gTLDs. They are also accredited by national authorities for the purpose of selling ccTLDs. Registrars must comply with the policies of the gTLD and ccTLD registries they are accredited for.
The domain name registrar business is highly competitive. Prices for common .com domains have decreased significantly over the years. Many registrars provide additional services such as web hosting and email.
How does the domain name tell visitors where to go?
When you type a URL into your web browser, the browser first looks up the IP address associated with the domain name. It does this by querying a DNS server. DNS is the internet's phone book, and just like your personal phone book, it matches up names with numbers.
The browser then sends a request to the IP address it received from the DNS server. The server at that IP address then responds with the website content.
That's the gist of it, but there's a lot more that goes on behind the scenes. Let's take a closer look at each step in the process.
The first thing that happens is the browser looks up the IP address associated with the domain name you typed in. It does this by querying a DNS server.
DNS servers are like the internet's phone book. They match up names with numbers. When you type a URL into your web browser, the browser first looks up the IP address associated with the domain name.
The browser then sends a request to the IP address it received from the DNS server. The server at that IP address then responds with the website content.
That's the gist of it, but there's a lot more that goes on behind the scenes. Let's take a closer look at each step in the process.
When you type a URL into your web browser, the browser first looks up the IP address associated with the domain name. It does this by querying a DNS server.
DNS servers are like the internet's phone book. They match up names with numbers. The browser then sends a request to the IP address it received from the DNS server. The server at that IP address then responds with the website content.
That's the gist of it, but there's a lot more that goes on behind the scenes. Let's take a closer look at each step in the process.