The perfect domain is just a click away: claim your domain→
When you’re ready to build a website, one of the first things you’ll need is a domain name. But what exactly is a domain name and why is it so important? Let’s break it down in simple terms.
A domain name is your unique web address that makes it easy for people to find and visit your website. Think of it like your home address but for the internet. It’s made up of a name and a top-level domain (TLD), like "example.com." Without domain names, we’d have to remember a bunch of random numbers (IP address) just to visit websites–and let’s be honest, that would be a complete hassle.
So, if you’re planning on building any sort of online presence—whether it’s to open an online store or to display your online portfolio for potential employees to hire you—then you must get familiar with the ins and outs of domain names.
At Wix, we went for the simple yet impactful choice of using our brand name as our domain name. It’s easy to remember, aligns with our identity and portrays credibility right from the start. Your domain name isn’t just how people find your website–it’s also their first impression of your brand. Choose wisely, because as they say, you only get one chance to make a first impression.
To help you get started, we’ve put together a detailed guide on all things domain names. You’ll learn what a domain name is, how it works and the best practices for picking and registering one that fits your goals. Here’s what you’ll find in this guide (you can skip ahead to any of the sections below):
What is a domain name?
A domain name is the web address people type into a browser to reach a site. Like a fingerprint, each domain name is unique to its website. Domains were created to make it easier for people to access websites without needing to remember IP addresses. For example, when you type "google.com" instead of a bunch of random numbers. Domains are structured with labels separated by dots, making them easy to read and share.
An IP address is just a series of four numbers between 0 to 255 separated by periods. While computers love these number sequences, humans do much better with words we can remember. That’s where domain names come in–they’re the shortcut that lets us remember sites like “google.com” instead of a bunch of numbers. Domains are structured with labels separated by dots, making them easy to read and share.
Choosing the right domain name can make a big difference for your website’s visibility and credibility. A name that’s easy to remember and reflects your brand will help visitors find and trust your site more easily.
Get your domain name now and then learn how to make a website to go with it.
Difference between a domain name and a URL
A lot of people use the terms domain name and Universal Resource Locator (URL) interchangeably, but there’s actually a bit of a difference. A domain name is just one part of a URL. Think of it as the main part of the web address that includes two main elements: the name itself and the extension. For example, in “google.com,” “Google” is the name and “.com” is the top-level domain. But when you look at your browser’s address bar, you’ll see more than just that–it’s made up of several parts of a URL working together to form the full URL.
Learn more: What is a parked domain?
How do domains work?
The internet is a massive worldwide network of computers connected to each other through a global, submarine grid of cables. Every computer has an IP address that allows it to communicate with the rest of the network to send, find and retrieve web data.
Domain names are basically the easier-to-remember versions of the IP addresses. They’re what we type into the browser instead of a bunch of random numbers. But how do computers know where to go when you enter a domain name? That’s where the domain name system (DNS) comes in. Think of the DNS as the internet’s phone book–it translates those human-friendly domain names into the numeric IP addresses that computers understand.
To put it simply, domain names are like saving your friend’s number under their name in your phone. You don’t need to remember the number; the DNS handles that for you, making it easier to navigate the web.
When you type a domain name into your browser, a request goes out to DNS servers. These servers look up the IP address tied to the domain and forward your request to the “name servers,” which are managed by your web hosting provider. Once the correct IP is found, it connects to the web server that hosts the site’s files. The server then sends the requested data back to your browser, making it all happen in just a few seconds.
The difference between domain and hosting
To create a website, you need both a domain name and web hosting. Because of their codependent nature and the fact that—more often than not—the same company provides both, and their both essentially a part of what makes up a website's infrastructure, many confuse their purpose and relationship.
The easiest way to understand what is web hosting and how it differs from a domain name is to imagine your website as an apartment complex, where each apartment is a different page of your site. For this building to exist, you first need a piece of land to construct it on. On the internet, the land upon which you build your website is known as web hosting. All the files and data that make up your site are stored on web servers that send them out to people who visit your site.
For people to visit your site, however, they’ll need to know where to find it. You could technically just share your site’s IP with them and call it a day. Then again, we could technically just share geographic coordinates instead of giving names and numbers to every street and building. As you might have already guessed, domain names serve as the address of your metaphorical apartment complex.
If you want to take it one step further and direct visitors to a specific page of your site, you simply need to add a path after your domain name. Having something like “/blog” is the online address equivalent of adding an apartment number to your physical address.
And, of course, the street people take to visit your virtual apartment complex represents the internet.
Different types of domains
The DNS uses a unique tree-like structure to keep its huge database organized.At the top is the root domain, represented by a dot. Everything below that dot forms the domain name space, broken into different levels based on how fast down they fall from the root.
This results in different types of domains, all of which serve a different purpose:
Top-level domains (TLD), including new top-level domains
Second-level domains (SLD)
Third-level domains
Top-level domains (TLD)
A top-level domain, generally referred to as TLD or domain extension, is the right-most segment of a domain name located after the last dot. It serves to recognize certain characteristics of a website address, such as location and purpose. In August 2022, there were 1,487 TLDs available for registration, the majority of which were added in the last decade.
If you’re picking a TLD, choose one that matches your website’s vibe and audience. The options are endless, so you’re sure to find one that makes your site unique.
Let’s take a look at the most popular categorizations:
Generic top-level domains (gTLD): Commonly known simply as gTLDs, generic top-level domains are made of three or more characters and are open for registration by anyone. gTLDs account for the vast majority of domain extension options, with more than a thousand added in recent years through ICANN’s new gTLDs program. Available options range from the traditional .org vs. .com and .net to newer options such as .biz, .llc, .tips, .store, .co, .photos, .love, .work, .space, .digital, .club, .tv, .blog, .info, .site, .land, .company, .solutions, .website, .tech, .training, .coach, .world, .party, .yoga, .wiki, .ninja, .directory, .guru, .live, .fit, .studio, .today, .design, .pictures, .expert, .technology, .top, .co.uk .london, .tokyo, .ninja, .email and .xyz. Learn more about what .net is.
Sponsored top-level domains (sTLD): These are more niche and managed by specific organizations. To register an sTLDA, you usually need to meet certain criteria related to a community or theme. If your website caters to a specific group, an sTLD can help establish credibility and trust right away.
Country code top-level domains (ccTLD): There are 308 country code top-level domains, each of which is identified by a unique, two-letter string. While country code top-level domains were originally intended for business and individuals operating in specific geographical areas, there is also a significant number of website owners who register ccTLDs for branding purposes or to take advantage of certain benefits. This is the case with extensions such as .ai (Anguilla), which is particularly popular within companies in the artificial intelligence industry, and .gg (Bailiwick of Guernsey), which has seen a significant popularity rise in the gaming sphere. Other ccTLD include: .de (Germany), .nl (Netherlands), .at (Austria), .mx (Mexico), .me (Montenegro), .ch (Switzerland), .br (Brazil) .be (Belgium), .fr (France), .in (India) and .ca (Canada).
Second-level domains (SLDs)
The second-level domain (SLD) is the part of a domain name that comes before the TLD. It’s typically where you’ll find your brand name, like "wix" is the SLD in "www.wix.com."
In some cases, the SLD can also show the type of website in a region. For example, commercial websites in Spain may be registered with the domain extension .com.es whereas in the UK they appear as .co.uk. Likewise, in these same countries academic institutions may be registered under .edu.es and .ac.uk respectively.
Third-level domains
A third-level domain (or subdomain) adds a prefix to a main domain and creates a separate section of your site. It’s perfect for things like blogs, online stores or resource pages without needing to buy a whole new domain.
For example, when creating a free Wix website, your URL might look like username.wixsite.com/siteaddress. But once you buy your own domain, you can add custom subdomains like shop.yourwebsite.com or blog.yourwebsite.com.
Third-level domains can get longer if you start adding more nodes. You might come across four-level domains like news.bbc.co.uk or even five-level ones like www.village.fairport.ny.us. While it’s rare to see a domain with more than four levels, it’s possible. For more in-depth examples, check out the most popular domain extensions.
How to choose a domain name
According to Verisign’s late 2022 industry report, there are 349.9 million domain names registered across all top-level domains, with thousands more registered every day. To find an available domain name that perfectly represents your brand or concept, you’ll need a combination of creativity, SEO knowledge, foresight, luck and extensive knowledge of best practices. This guide to how to choose a domain name will help you cover your bases. Here are three of the most important steps to get you started.
Read also: Tips for future-proofing your domain
Make your domain name easy to type and pronounce
If you have a slightly unconventional name, or know someone who does, you’re probably well aware of how easy it is for people to misspell or forget it altogether. It’s crucial to come up with a name that is easy to type and pronounce.
As you start brainstorming domain name ideas, you want to avoid words that are frequently mispronounced (such as “anemone” or “croissant”) or that require a double take before typing (like “liqueur” or “maintenance”). You should also refrain from abbreviations and words that can be spelled in numerous ways, such as "ok" or "okay."
Once you feel satisfied with your ideas, it’s time to put them to test. Run your preferred choices by a few friends to see if they can get it right on the first try, and check with them a few hours or days later to see if they remember it. If they struggle, go for a different choice.
Ensure your domain name is memorable and relatable
For Bhavik Sarkhedi, founder and creative director of Ohh My Brand, memorability has always been an important detail when choosing a domain name. As Bhavik shares, "A great domain name has to stick. My current company, OhhMyBrand, plays off the phrase "Ohh my God," which makes it relatable and fun. My first business was called Write Right-straight to the point and easy to recall. Then I had Dad of Ad and Taletel. All short, all catchy, all under 12 characters."
As as Bhavik continues to experience:
"The funny thing is, even though I've sold those companies, people still ping me because they remember the names. That's the magic of keeping it simple, relatable and memorable. If your name has recall value, especially in your industry, it's a game-changer. Short and sharp-that's the rule I swear by."
Keep your domain name on brand
Your domain name should reflect your brand, so your brand name is ideal. If the domain name that matches your brand name is already taken, tag on a keyword to optimize its searchability. Many entrepreneurs and creatives tend to overlook the branding aspect of their site’s domain name until everything else has been decided, which often leads to unnecessary headaches and even losing customers.
Let’s imagine you want to open a plant nursery. You spend months and money purchasing everything you need, picking the perfect name and creating a beautiful logo. But when you go to register your domain name, you realize a plant nursery two cities away already owns it. You would either have to rebrand all your assets or use a variation of a name brand, which would guide your audience to the other business.
To avoid this, when starting a business, register your domain name as soon as you choose your business name. If it's not available, you could use a domain name generator to find something similar. You can even streamline the process by using a business name generator that immediately shows you the available domains related to each idea.
Choose the right domain extension
When selecting the best extension for your domain name, there are two main things you’ll need to take into account: perception and pricing. In addition to respecting usage rules, such as not registering your store under an .org domain, you’ll also need to take into account how likely people are to trust and remember certain TLDs. According to a study by GrowthBadger, ".com" is the most memorable and most trusted TLD of them all.
As for the pricing, the extension you decide will have a direct impact on how much a domain name costs. Make sure to check all options and weigh the pros and cons before settling on a certain TLD.
What are domains used for?
Your domain name is key to building your brand online. A custom domain instantly makes your website look more professional and trustworthy– way more than a subdomain from a free hosting service. Think about it: “www.yourbusinessname.com” stands out so much more than “yourbusinessname.freehostingsite.com.” Imagine if a serious brand like a law firm used a quirky domain, it wouldn’t inspire the same level of trust as something straightforward. Your domain sets the tone for how your business is perceived, so make it count.
When your domain matches your business name, it reinforces your brand and makes it easier for customers to find and remember you. It’s a small detail that makes a big impact on how people see your business.
Plus, owning your domain name gives you full control over your online presence. You can set up custom email addresses like yourname@yourbusiness.com and have complete freedom to shape your website’s content and design.
A custom domain also makes promoting your site easier–either on social media, business cards or in ads–and it’s far more memorable. Registering your domain protects your brand by keeping it out of competitors’ hands. It’s a simple way to safeguard your business and stand out online.
Learn more: I have a domain name, now what?
What is a domain name example?
We've put together some of the world's most well-known domain examples, categorized by niche and as proof that the right domain name is essential to the branding of your business and website.
Here are some examples of popular domain names:
harvard.edumit.edu
amazon.com
wix.com
spotify.com
airbnb.com
How to get a domain name
Once you’ve chosen the perfect domain name for your site, it’s time to make it yours and purchase it. There are a few things to keep in mind when figuring out how to register a domain name, including:
Checking if your domain name is available
Choosing the right registrar for your needs
Planning for the long term so your domain stays secure
Let’s take a closer look at how to handle each step:
Search for your domain name
First things first, make sure no one else is using the domain name you want. While you could check manually, it can be a hassle if your top choice is already taken. A domain name search tool saves time and effort by showing you whether your domain is available and suggesting similar options. These tools also give you pricing details so you can compare your choices and pick the best one for your site.
Pick a domain registrar
Once you’ve found the perfect domain name, it’s time to decide where to buy it. Not all domain registrars are created equal–pricing, customer support and extra features like privacy protection and domain management can vary. Keep these points in mind:
Pricing
Watch out for registrars offering low first-year fees but charging sky-high renewals later. Instead, look for transparent pricing or deals or registrars that provide free domain names.
Tip: Sign up for a Wix Premium plan, and get a free domain with a one-year domain name voucher.
Private domain registration
ICANN requires everyone who purchases a domain to provide personal information (including full name, email, address and phone number) that is then made publicly available on a database known as WHOIS. If you’re concerned about privacy or want to minimize the chances of spam and identity theft, you can hide this information using WHOIS privacy protection.
Some domain registrars include WHOIS privacy protection as part of their offering, immediately protecting your personal data when you buy a domain name, while others offer it as a paid add-on.
Web hosting pairing
Pairing your domain with hosting from the same provider keeps things simple and can save you money. It allows you to manage all site assets within a single platform, thus minimizing the overall cost and headache.
Tip: When you host a site on Wix, you’ll have advanced security monitoring, automatic set-up and enterprise-grade reliability of 99.9% uptime. This helps protect against domain squatting and domain spoofing amongst other cyber threats.
Customer support
The availability of customer support is one of the most overlooked aspects when it comes to finding a domain registrar. If you ever have any issues at 3 am and can’t get a hold of anyone, you’ll kick your past self for not choosing a registrar that offers live customer support 24/7.
Domain age
Domain age refers to the amount of time that a domain name has existed, or, as it sounds, how old it is. You’ll want to know your domain age for the following reasons:
If you take a domain that previously belonged to a different business, it can indicate the business’s age. This can affect brand trust—both good or bad—if the domain has built an associated reputation over time. This also can make it necessary to check domain history.
Older domains may have some SEO benefits since they have had time to build traffic.
You can verify domain trademark claims based on domain age and the date it was originally registered.
Domain email
Some domain registrars’ offerings extend beyond website-focused features. Keep an eye out for additional products and tools that may interest you, as it will make it much easier to connect and manage them through your website.
For example, if you want a business email address that uses your domain name instead of that of a generic mail provider, you should look for a registrar that also offers personalized email addresses.
Bulk purchasing
If you’re planning to expand or launch new brands, buying multiple domains now could save you time and money later. This is especially relevant if you plan to expand your operations to other geographic locations or have a certain product you’d like to promote as a stand-alone brand.
How to keep a domain name secure
Protecting your domain name is important to keep your website safe. Here are some simple tips to help you secure your domain:
Choose a reputable domain registrar: Pick a domain registrar known for solid security and great customer service.
Use a strong password: Create a password that’s at least 12 characters long with a mix of upper and lowercase letters, numbers and symbols.
Enable two-factor authentication (2FA): Adding 2FA means you’ll need to enter a code from your phone when logging in, giving you an extra layer of protection.
Keep your contact information updated: Make sure your contact information with your domain registrar is up to date. This will help them to contact you if there is any suspicious activity on your account.
Watch out for phishing emails: Phishing emails are designed to trick you into revealing your personal information, such as your domain registrar account password. Be careful about clicking on links in emails, even if they appear to be from legitimate sources.
Keep your domain registration information private: Don't share your domain registration information with anyone you don't trust. This includes your domain registrar account password, your domain name and your contact information.
Plan ahead by purchasing your domain name
If you’re looking to buy a domain or just curious, you’re now aware of how important domain names are. The domain name industry in the US is an $8.1 billion dollar industry that is continuing to grow, including the element of domain name trading, which is a lucrative business unto itself.
Once you’ve registered a domain, no one else can have it–as long as you renew it every year or within the time period set by your domain registrar. Because of this, it’s highly recommended to register the domain name of any business you start. It can be something as simple as your name or as marketable as business.com, which was purchased for $345 million. This practice is known as domain parking, with the goal of domain flipping and it is more common than you might imagine.
You should also consider purchasing any additional TLD you might want to use in the future to make sure no one else gets a hold of it before you do. Otherwise, you’ll find yourself on the paying side of the domain name trade.
You can also learn how to protect your domain name and brand through domain privacy.
What is a domain name FAQ
What is ICANN?
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) oversees all domain registrations, allocates and assigns IP addresses, runs accreditation systems for domain registrars and keeps a centralized database of all domain names and their IPs. The ICANN also has the authority to approve new domain extensions (also known as TLDs), manage them and shut them down if they don’t follow the determined rules. They can also approve domain registrars to manage domain extensions and domain registration.