Hello, and welcome to "Website Success in 5 Minutes." I’m Shaun Carvill, CEO of Clickingmad, today’s topic is something every website owner needs to understand: "What is a domain name?"
You’ve undoubtedly heard the term before, but what does it actually mean, and how does it work?
Let’s break it down.
So what is a domain name?
In the simplest terms, a domain name is the web address you type into your browser to visit a website.
Think of it as the address for your house—but instead of directing someone to your front door, it directs people to your website.
For example, our domain name is Clickingmad.com.
It’s how people find us online.
A domain name is much easier to remember than a string of numbers, which is how computers communicate with each other.
These numbers are called IP addresses, and every website has one. Instead of remembering a long string of numbers like 192.168.1.1, domain names allow us to use something simple and easy to recall, like Clickingmad.com.
So, let's look at the structure of a domain name.
Domain names are made up of two parts: the name itself and the extension. Let’s use Clickingmad.com as an example:
- Clickingmad is the main part of the domain—this is called the second-level domain.
- .com is the domain extension, also known as a top-level domain (a TLD). There are many different TLD's like .co.uk, .org, and .net, and many more.
Choosing the right domain name and extension is important because it reflects your brand and helps people find your business online.
So how does a domain name work?
When someone types your domain name into their browser, the Domain Name System (DNS) comes into play. DNS acts like the internet’s phonebook.
It translates the human-friendly domain name into the numerical IP address that computers use to find each other.
When you type in a web address, the DNS system looks up the domain, finds the correct IP address, and directs your browser to the server where the website is hosted.
All this happens in milliseconds!
Think of DNS as your phone’s contact list. Instead of remembering numbers, you just type in the name, and DNS finds the right address behind the scenes.
Do you actually own your domain name?
Here’s a bit of a surprise: you don’t actually "own" your domain name. Instead, you rent it.
When you register a domain, you’re essentially renting it for a certain period of time, usually a year or more, through a domain registrar.
As long as you keep renewing it, you retain the rights to use that domain name. But if you forget to renew it, it could become available for someone else to register.
So while you have the right to use your domain, it’s important to stay on top of renewals to avoid losing control of it.
Why are domain names important?
Your domain name is essentially your online identity. It’s the first thing people see when they visit your website, so it needs to be memorable and relevant to your business.
A good domain name helps build trust and brand recognition, making it easier for customers to find you and come back to your site in the future.
It also plays a role in SEO (Search Engine Optimisation).
Having a keyword in your domain name, or something closely related to your business, can help improve your visibility in search engines. So, choosing the right domain name isn’t just about branding—it can impact your search engine rankings too.
How do you get a domain name?
Registering a domain is straightforward. You can go to a domain registrar, such as GoDaddy, Namescheap, or 123 domains, search for the name you want, and see if it’s available.
If it is, you can purchase it and register it for a certain period, usually one to several years.
If the name you want is already taken, you might need to choose a different name or use an alternative domain extension like .net or .co.uk.
Once you’ve registered your domain, it’s essential to connect it to your hosting provider, which stores your website’s files, so people can access your site by typing in the domain name.
In summary:
A domain name is the web address that makes it easy for people to find your site. It’s made up of a unique name and an extension, and it works by connecting users to your website through DNS.
While you don’t actually "own" your domain name, as long as you keep it renewed, you retain control.
A good domain name is vital for building your brand, improving SEO, and making your business easy to find online.
That’s all for today’s episode of "Website Success in 5 Minutes." I’m Shaun Carvill.
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