Understanding the domain name is important for the survival of your internet marketing business. After all, this is the name your business will be identified with. So what is a domain name exactly? How does it work and are there any technicalities to it that you should be aware of?
What is a domain name?
A domain name is the term that identifies a website or a computer online. The domain name is often one of the components of a URL. The most commonly used domain names are host names, used often to replace IP addresses, which are numeric. An alphabetical domain name is much easier to remember and find on the Internet or the intranet.
Domain names are designed to offer flexibility. A domain name, for example, can be associated with several IP addresses or several domain names may be used with just one IP address. This allows a single server to have several roles at the same time. You could, for example, host more than one website independently on a single server. Conversely, a single role may also be distributed among several servers or a single IP address assigned to multiple servers.
To illustrate, one server with an IP address of 123.0.45.167 may manage several sites at once, including:
domainname.com
www.domainname.com
domainname.org
www.domainname.org
domainname.net
www.domainname.net
Each time a visitor or Web surfer types or searches for that particular hostname, he is sent to the site itself.
Generally, a domain name would have its own IP address. A domain name is sometimes used interchangeably with a web address but they are not technically the same.
What is a domain name made of?
Domain names are made up of the letters of the alphabet (A to Z) and are case-insensitive. They may also be made up of numbers from 0 to 9 or a combination of numbers and letters. Sometimes, restrictions may be added, such as a hyphen.
Top level domain names
A top level or first level domain name, also called a TLD, is the 'ending' to a hostname. This is made up of at least three characters based on a generic code or it could be made up of two characters based on a territory code. Some top level domain name extensions may also be based on technical and linguistic subjects, as in the case of.mail,.web,.gal and.sco.
Some of the generic top level domain names or extensions are:
.com,.biz,.gov,.net,.org,.info,.edu,.biz,.name,.int,.info,.jobs,.tel,.aero,.coop,.root,.arpa,.museum,.pro
Top level domain names or extensions based on territory use letters that help define an area, such as.uk,.us,.jp,.nz,.eu,.va,.la, etc.
Second level and third level domain names
Second level domain names, also called SLDs. An SLD is the name found on the left side of the top level domain extension. For example, the domain name en.wikipedia.org. The second level domain here is 'wikipedia'. The third level domain is the one found on the left side of the second level domain. In this case, it is the 'en'.
It is also possible for domain names to have fourth and fifth levels, depending on the subdomains found therein.
The second level domain usually reflects the name of the company or brand, such as nike.com or oprah.com, for example. The third level is generally used to indicate a specific host server. So if you have a domain name mail.mydomainname.com, your host server in this case is your e-mail server. These days, however, this isn't always accurate. Some subdomains may not have a purpose at all.
Uses of domain names
As a beginner in internet marketing, having a domain name is essential to your business. A domain name is part of a group, company or individual's identity. It is used as an address on the World Wide Web, to help find a particular website of a specific company or person. Without a domain name, it is difficult for a beginner in internet marketing to be recognized or have an identity that will be associated with a particular product or service. Domain names are very important for search engine optimization, brand building, promotions and advertising.
Your domain name
For beginners in internet marketing, finding the right domain name can be easy or tough, depending on the brand or company and on what's currently available. However, once you have established which domain name to use, have it registered immediately. This will help establish your right to use it and will ensure that it is reserved for you and will not be used by anyone else.
What is a domain name?
A domain name is the term that identifies a website or a computer online. The domain name is often one of the components of a URL. The most commonly used domain names are host names, used often to replace IP addresses, which are numeric. An alphabetical domain name is much easier to remember and find on the Internet or the intranet.
Domain names are designed to offer flexibility. A domain name, for example, can be associated with several IP addresses or several domain names may be used with just one IP address. This allows a single server to have several roles at the same time. You could, for example, host more than one website independently on a single server. Conversely, a single role may also be distributed among several servers or a single IP address assigned to multiple servers.
To illustrate, one server with an IP address of 123.0.45.167 may manage several sites at once, including:
domainname.com
www.domainname.com
domainname.org
www.domainname.org
domainname.net
www.domainname.net
Each time a visitor or Web surfer types or searches for that particular hostname, he is sent to the site itself.
Generally, a domain name would have its own IP address. A domain name is sometimes used interchangeably with a web address but they are not technically the same.
What is a domain name made of?
Domain names are made up of the letters of the alphabet (A to Z) and are case-insensitive. They may also be made up of numbers from 0 to 9 or a combination of numbers and letters. Sometimes, restrictions may be added, such as a hyphen.
Top level domain names
A top level or first level domain name, also called a TLD, is the 'ending' to a hostname. This is made up of at least three characters based on a generic code or it could be made up of two characters based on a territory code. Some top level domain name extensions may also be based on technical and linguistic subjects, as in the case of.mail,.web,.gal and.sco.
Some of the generic top level domain names or extensions are:
.com,.biz,.gov,.net,.org,.info,.edu,.biz,.name,.int,.info,.jobs,.tel,.aero,.coop,.root,.arpa,.museum,.pro
Top level domain names or extensions based on territory use letters that help define an area, such as.uk,.us,.jp,.nz,.eu,.va,.la, etc.
Second level and third level domain names
Second level domain names, also called SLDs. An SLD is the name found on the left side of the top level domain extension. For example, the domain name en.wikipedia.org. The second level domain here is 'wikipedia'. The third level domain is the one found on the left side of the second level domain. In this case, it is the 'en'.
It is also possible for domain names to have fourth and fifth levels, depending on the subdomains found therein.
The second level domain usually reflects the name of the company or brand, such as nike.com or oprah.com, for example. The third level is generally used to indicate a specific host server. So if you have a domain name mail.mydomainname.com, your host server in this case is your e-mail server. These days, however, this isn't always accurate. Some subdomains may not have a purpose at all.
Uses of domain names
As a beginner in internet marketing, having a domain name is essential to your business. A domain name is part of a group, company or individual's identity. It is used as an address on the World Wide Web, to help find a particular website of a specific company or person. Without a domain name, it is difficult for a beginner in internet marketing to be recognized or have an identity that will be associated with a particular product or service. Domain names are very important for search engine optimization, brand building, promotions and advertising.
Your domain name
For beginners in internet marketing, finding the right domain name can be easy or tough, depending on the brand or company and on what's currently available. However, once you have established which domain name to use, have it registered immediately. This will help establish your right to use it and will ensure that it is reserved for you and will not be used by anyone else.
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