A domain, in the context of the internet, is essentially the address of your website. It’s what people type into their browser to find your site. Think of it like the digital equivalent of your home’s street address.
In more technical terms, a domain name is a string of text that maps to a numeric IP (Internet Protocol) address, making it easier for humans to access websites without having to remember a series of numbers. For example, instead of typing 192.0.2.1, you can simply type ‘example.com’.
Every domain name is unique. No two websites can have the same domain name. If someone types in ‘www.yourdomain.com‘, they will be directed to your website and no one else’s.
The process of getting a domain involves registering the name you want with an organization called ICANN through a domain registrar. For instance, if you choose a name like ‘mybusiness.com’, you would go to a domain registrar, check if ‘mybusiness.com’ is available, and if it is, you’d pay a registration fee to claim it for a certain period, like one year or two.
Domains come with various extensions, known as top-level domains (TLDs), like .com, .org, .net, .in, etc. The .com TLD is the most popular, but there are many others, including ones specific to countries (like .in for India) or sectors (like .edu for educational institutions).
In summary, a domain is your unique identity on the web, allowing people to find your website easily and helping to establish your online presence.
Registrar | Price | Comments |
---|---|---|
Godaddy | $1.99/m | 85% off on first payment. |
Namecheap | $2.50/m | 65% off web hosting. |
DreamHost | $2.59/m | 67% off. |
Siteground | $3.99/m | 77% off. |
Hostgator | $3.75/m | 62% off. |
Bluehost | $2.95/m | 75% off. |