{"id":1515,"date":"2020-07-07T14:07:26","date_gmt":"2020-07-07T14:07:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/new.hostitsmart.com\/blog\/?p=1515"},"modified":"2023-07-20T12:45:51","modified_gmt":"2023-07-20T07:15:51","slug":"understanding-domain-names-a-complete-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new.hostitsmart.com\/blog\/understanding-domain-names-a-complete-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Understanding Domain Names – A Complete Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"

Whether you want to switch your existing business online or have a brilliant idea for a startup, a strong online presence is needed. And, a brandable and memorable domain name can play a vital role in making it possible. Usually, when we have to buy a domain, we search domain names on a domain name provider website or contact a domain name provider.<\/p>\n

But, buying a domain name requires proper understanding so that you can select the right digital identity for your business.<\/p>\n

Before you buy a domain name<\/b><\/a>, you should know what is a domain name and what types of domain names are there to buy? In this article, we shall tell you everything you need to know about the domain name and its kind.<\/p>\n

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What is a Domain Name?<\/h3>\n

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\"What<\/p>\n

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Your domain is the face of your brand and is essentially your website’s equivalent of physical address.\u00a0 Like a GPS requires a zip code or street address, the web browser also requires a domain address to direct customers to the website.<\/p>\n

In simple terms, a domain name is your website name, an identification string that defines your control, authority, and administrative autonomy within the internet. It\u2019s an address that allows your users to access your website.<\/p>\n

In a technical term, a domain name is what goes in the HTTPS:\/\/ protocol and first \u201c\/\u201d (slash) in the URL. For example, in the URL, https:\/\/new.hostitsmart.com\/, \u201chostitsmart.com\u201d is the domain name.<\/p>\n

A domain name consists of two main elements \u2013 one is the website name while the other is domain name extension. For example, in \u201chostitsmart.com\u201d, \u201chostitsmart\u201d is the name while \u201c.com\u201d is its extension.<\/p>\n

Also Know: <\/b>Domains \u2013 Facts, Concepts, And Myths<\/a><\/p>\n

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How a Domain Name Functions<\/h3>\n

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A domain name is the representation of your website and computer IP address. The device which uses internet connection comes with an IP address. Similarly, a website is also assigned a unique 32-bit or 128-bit string of digits that is known as an IP address.<\/p>\n

When you register a domain name, you are given an IP address, while the name you choose is just a shortcut to remember it. The name is created through DNS -Domain Name System (We shall learn more about DNS in the next paragraph.<\/p>\n

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Domain Name System (DNS)<\/h3>\n

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\"What<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

DNS or Domain Name System is a hierarchical and decentralized naming system that converts your domain name into an IP address. The DNS server is available on millions of servers across the world but acts as a single unified database.<\/p>\n

That means when a user types domain name in a browser, the browser will send input to the DNS server where it will find the IP address matching the name and revert to users with the requested result. In short, the Domain Name System (DNS) plays the role of a phonebook for the internet.<\/p>\n

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Different Types of Domain<\/h3>\n

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\"Different<\/p>\n

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Domain names are managed by an organization named Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) while it is formed by the Domain Name System, based on its rules and procedures.<\/p>\n

Any name registered in the Domain Name System and approved by the organization (ICANN) is a domain name while \u201c.com\u201d \u201c.net\u201d, etc, are the standard domain extensions.<\/p>\n

Even though “.com\u201d is widely used, there are various other extensions. Let\u2019s discuss them in detail;<\/p>\n

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1. Top-Level Domains (TLDs)<\/h4>\n

The TLDs are popularly known as domain name extensions. There are six top-level domains (TLDs) released by the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority in 1985. They are popular and hold the top place in the Domain Name System hierarchy. They are;<\/p>\n