{"id":10106,"date":"2023-08-31T11:41:51","date_gmt":"2023-08-31T11:41:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hostinger.com\/tutorials\/?p=10106"},"modified":"2026-07-11T13:32:50","modified_gmt":"2026-07-11T13:32:50","slug":"what-is-a-domain-name","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"\/my\/tutorials\/how-to-start-a-blog-3","title":{"rendered":"What is a domain name?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>A domain name is a human-readable address that people type into a browser to visit a website, like <strong>google.com<\/strong> or <strong>wikipedia.org<\/strong>. It works as a shortcut to IP addresses, the strings of numbers that computers use to find each other online. A system called DNS (Domain Name System) handles the translation behind the scenes.<\/p><p>A domain name is made up of different parts. For example, in <strong>www.exampledomain.com<\/strong>, <strong>.com<\/strong> is the top-level domain, <strong>exampledomain<\/strong> is the second-level domain, and <strong>www<\/strong> is the subdomain. Browsers and DNS use these parts to find the right website. Browsers and DNS use these parts to find the right website.<\/p><p>Domain names also connect to your URL, your email address, and your hosting setup. Choosing and registering the right one starts with understanding how they&rsquo;re built.<\/p><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-does-a-domain-name-work\">How does a domain name work?<\/h2><p>When you type a domain into your browser, the DNS looks up the matching <a href=\"\/my\/tutorials\/what-is-ip-address\/\">IP address<\/a> and connects you to the right server.<\/p><p>Here&rsquo;s what happens after you enter a domain name into your browser:<\/p><p>1. After you enter a domain name, like <strong>hostinger.com<\/strong>, your browser sends a request to a DNS server.<\/p><p>2. The <a href=\"\/my\/tutorials\/what-is-dns\/\">DNS<\/a> server finds the matching IP address for that domain.<\/p><p>3. Your browser connects to the website&rsquo;s server using that IP address.<\/p><p>4. The server sends the website files back, and the page loads on your screen.<\/p><p>Without DNS, you&rsquo;d need to memorize long number strings for every website you visit.<\/p><div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure data-wp-context='{\"imageId\":\"6a565c809db7d\"}' data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a565c809db7d\" class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized wp-lightbox-container\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1068\" height=\"792\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/imagedelivery.net\/LqiWLm-3MGbYHtFuUbcBtA\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2024\/09\/how-do-domain-names-work.png\/w=1024,h=1024,fit=scale-down\" alt=\"An illustration on how domain names work\" class=\"wp-image-115408\" style=\"width:840px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/imagedelivery.net\/LqiWLm-3MGbYHtFuUbcBtA\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2024\/09\/how-do-domain-names-work.png\/w=1068,fit=scale-down 1068w, https:\/\/imagedelivery.net\/LqiWLm-3MGbYHtFuUbcBtA\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2024\/09\/how-do-domain-names-work.png\/w=300,fit=scale-down 300w, https:\/\/imagedelivery.net\/LqiWLm-3MGbYHtFuUbcBtA\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2024\/09\/how-do-domain-names-work.png\/w=1024,fit=scale-down 1024w, https:\/\/imagedelivery.net\/LqiWLm-3MGbYHtFuUbcBtA\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2024\/09\/how-do-domain-names-work.png\/w=150,fit=scale-down 150w, https:\/\/imagedelivery.net\/LqiWLm-3MGbYHtFuUbcBtA\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2024\/09\/how-do-domain-names-work.png\/w=768,fit=scale-down 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1068px) 100vw, 1068px\" \/><button class=\"lightbox-trigger\" type=\"button\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-label=\"Enlarge\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\" data-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\">\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewbox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\"><\/path>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure><\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-why-are-domain-names-necessary\">Why are domain names necessary?<\/h2><p>Domain names make the internet easier to use and help businesses stand out online. Here are the main reasons they matter:<\/p><ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Memorability.<\/strong> Words are far easier to remember than numbers. A domain name like <strong>apple.com<\/strong> is much simpler to recall than its numeric IP address.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Branding<\/strong>. A custom domain strengthens credibility and communicates professionalism. It shows visitors that you&rsquo;re serious about your online presence.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Trust and credibility<\/strong>. A unique domain makes a website look reliable and helps build customer trust compared to using a free subdomain.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Accessibility<\/strong>. Domains allow global reach. Anyone with internet access can type your address and find your site instantly.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Marketing and discoverability<\/strong>. A keyword-rich domain can improve search engine visibility, making it easier for potential visitors to discover your site.<\/li>\n<\/ul><p>All of these matter more once you start getting traffic. <a href=\"\/my\/tutorials\/why-do-i-need-a-domain-name\/\">Having your own domain<\/a> gives you control over how people find, remember, and trust your site.<\/p><p>Domains matter for all of these reasons, but understanding their structure helps you pick the right one.<\/p><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-structure-of-a-domain-name\">What are the parts of a domain name?<\/h2><p>A domain name is composed of multiple levels, and DNS reads them from right to left. That means the extension (top-level domain) comes first in the structure, followed by the name you choose (second-level domain), and then any subdomain (third-level domain) on the left.<\/p><div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure data-wp-context='{\"imageId\":\"6a565c809f8ce\"}' data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a565c809f8ce\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"4170\" height=\"1724\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/imagedelivery.net\/LqiWLm-3MGbYHtFuUbcBtA\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2024\/10\/Domain-name-structure.png\/w=1024,h=1024,fit=scale-down\" alt=\"What is a domain name - domain name structure\" class=\"wp-image-117504\" srcset=\"https:\/\/imagedelivery.net\/LqiWLm-3MGbYHtFuUbcBtA\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2024\/10\/Domain-name-structure.png\/w=4170,fit=scale-down 4170w, https:\/\/imagedelivery.net\/LqiWLm-3MGbYHtFuUbcBtA\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2024\/10\/Domain-name-structure.png\/w=300,fit=scale-down 300w, https:\/\/imagedelivery.net\/LqiWLm-3MGbYHtFuUbcBtA\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2024\/10\/Domain-name-structure.png\/w=1024,fit=scale-down 1024w, https:\/\/imagedelivery.net\/LqiWLm-3MGbYHtFuUbcBtA\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2024\/10\/Domain-name-structure.png\/w=150,fit=scale-down 150w, https:\/\/imagedelivery.net\/LqiWLm-3MGbYHtFuUbcBtA\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2024\/10\/Domain-name-structure.png\/w=768,fit=scale-down 768w, https:\/\/imagedelivery.net\/LqiWLm-3MGbYHtFuUbcBtA\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2024\/10\/Domain-name-structure.png\/w=1536,fit=scale-down 1536w, https:\/\/imagedelivery.net\/LqiWLm-3MGbYHtFuUbcBtA\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2024\/10\/Domain-name-structure.png\/w=2048,fit=scale-down 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 4170px) 100vw, 4170px\" \/><button class=\"lightbox-trigger\" type=\"button\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-label=\"Enlarge\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\" data-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\">\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewbox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\"><\/path>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure><\/div><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-top-level-domain\">Top-level domain<\/h3><p>The <a href=\"\/my\/tutorials\/what-is-tld\/\"><strong>top-level domain (TLD)<\/strong><\/a> is the part of a web address that comes after the last dot. For example, in <strong>google.com<\/strong>, the <strong>.com<\/strong> is the TLD.<\/p><p>There are three main types of TLDs you&rsquo;ll see online:<\/p><ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Generic TLDs (gTLDs):<\/strong> These are open for anyone to register. Popular examples include <a href=\"\/my\/tld\/com-domain\"><strong>.com<\/strong><\/a>, <a href=\"\/my\/tld\/net-domain\"><strong>.net<\/strong><\/a>, and <a href=\"\/my\/tld\/org-domain\"><strong>.org<\/strong><\/a>. Industry-specific options like <a href=\"\/my\/tld\/tech-domain\"><strong>.tech<\/strong><\/a> or <a href=\"\/my\/tld\/shop-domain\"><strong>.shop<\/strong><\/a> are also becoming more common.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Country code TLDs (ccTLDs):<\/strong> These two-letter extensions represent specific countries or regions. For instance, <a href=\"\/my\/tld\/in-domain\"><strong>.in<\/strong><\/a> is for India, <a href=\"\/my\/tld\/uk-domain\"><strong>.uk<\/strong><\/a> for the United Kingdom, <a href=\"\/my\/tutorials\/what-is-eu-domain\/\">.eu<\/a> is for the European Union, and <a href=\"\/my\/tld\/de-domain\"><strong>.de<\/strong><\/a> for Germany. Many businesses use them to target local audiences.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Sponsored TLDs:<\/strong> These are reserved for certain groups or purposes. Examples include <strong>.gov<\/strong> for U.S. government sites, <strong>.edu<\/strong> for accredited universities, and <strong>.mil<\/strong> for the U.S. military. Some, like <a href=\"\/my\/tld\/travel-domain\"><strong>.travel<\/strong><\/a>, are available to organizations in a specific industry.<\/li>\n<\/ul><p>All TLDs are managed by the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.icann.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN)<\/a>, which approves new extensions and accredits <a href=\"\/my\/tutorials\/best-domain-registrar\/\">domain registrars<\/a> like Hostinger to sell domain names.<\/p><p>The TLD you choose affects how people perceive your site. A <strong>.com<\/strong> is seen as professional and global, while a country-specific TLD can make your site more relevant to local visitors.<\/p><p><div class=\"protip\">\n                    <p class=\"title\">Did you know?<\/p>\n                    <p>According to the latest <a href=\"\/my\/tutorials\/domain-name-statistics\/\">domain name statistics<\/a>, almost half of the world&rsquo;s domains use the .com extension.<\/p>\n                <\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-second-level-domain\">Second-level domain<\/h3><p>The <strong>second-level domain (SLD)<\/strong> is the part directly before the TLD. In <strong>www.hostinger.com<\/strong>, &ldquo;hostinger&rdquo; is the SLD. This is the part you customize, often representing a brand, business, project, or keyword.<\/p><p>For example:<\/p><ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>spotify.com<\/strong> &rarr; &ldquo;spotify&rdquo; is the SLD.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>bbc.co.uk<\/strong> &rarr; &ldquo;bbc&rdquo; is the SLD.<\/li>\n<\/ul><p>If your first choice is taken, you can look up the current owner through <a href=\"\/my\/whois\">WHOIS lookup tools<\/a> or register the same name with a different extension.<\/p><div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure data-wp-context='{\"imageId\":\"6a565c80a1eb9\"}' data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a565c80a1eb9\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1188\" height=\"548\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/imagedelivery.net\/LqiWLm-3MGbYHtFuUbcBtA\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2024\/09\/The-Contact-Information-section-in-ICANN-Lookup.png\/w=1024,h=1024,fit=scale-down\" alt=\"The Contact Information section in ICANN Lookup\" class=\"wp-image-115410\" srcset=\"https:\/\/imagedelivery.net\/LqiWLm-3MGbYHtFuUbcBtA\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2024\/09\/The-Contact-Information-section-in-ICANN-Lookup.png\/w=1188,fit=scale-down 1188w, https:\/\/imagedelivery.net\/LqiWLm-3MGbYHtFuUbcBtA\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2024\/09\/The-Contact-Information-section-in-ICANN-Lookup.png\/w=300,fit=scale-down 300w, https:\/\/imagedelivery.net\/LqiWLm-3MGbYHtFuUbcBtA\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2024\/09\/The-Contact-Information-section-in-ICANN-Lookup.png\/w=1024,fit=scale-down 1024w, https:\/\/imagedelivery.net\/LqiWLm-3MGbYHtFuUbcBtA\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2024\/09\/The-Contact-Information-section-in-ICANN-Lookup.png\/w=150,fit=scale-down 150w, https:\/\/imagedelivery.net\/LqiWLm-3MGbYHtFuUbcBtA\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2024\/09\/The-Contact-Information-section-in-ICANN-Lookup.png\/w=768,fit=scale-down 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1188px) 100vw, 1188px\" \/><button class=\"lightbox-trigger\" type=\"button\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-label=\"Enlarge\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\" data-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\">\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewbox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\"><\/path>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure><\/div><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-third-level-domain\"><strong>Third-level domain or subdomain<\/strong><\/h3><p>The <strong>third-level domain<\/strong>, also called a <a href=\"\/my\/tutorials\/what-are-subdomains\/\">subdomain<\/a>, comes before the SLD. Traditionally, <strong>www<\/strong> was the most common subdomain, but today many websites work without it.<\/p><p>Subdomains are now often used to organize content or create separate sections of a site. Examples include:<\/p><ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>blog.yourwebsite.com<\/strong> &ndash; for articles and updates<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>store.yourwebsite.com<\/strong> &ndash; for an online shop<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>support.yourwebsite.com<\/strong> &ndash; for documentation and help resources<\/li>\n<\/ul><p>Large websites also use subdomains for localization. For example, Wikipedia has <strong>en.wikipedia.org<\/strong> for English and <strong>de.wikipedia.org<\/strong> for German.<\/p><p>If you&rsquo;re feeling overwhelmed with choices, an <a href=\"\/my\/domain-name-generator\">AI domain name generator<\/a> can quickly provide options that balance length, keywords, and extension.<\/p><div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure data-wp-context='{\"imageId\":\"6a565c80a3dab\"}' data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a565c80a3dab\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"8535\" height=\"6416\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/imagedelivery.net\/LqiWLm-3MGbYHtFuUbcBtA\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2024\/10\/Subdomain-structure.png\/w=1024,h=1024,fit=scale-down\" alt=\"Subdomain structure\" class=\"wp-image-117505\" srcset=\"https:\/\/imagedelivery.net\/LqiWLm-3MGbYHtFuUbcBtA\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2024\/10\/Subdomain-structure.png\/w=8535,fit=scale-down 8535w, https:\/\/imagedelivery.net\/LqiWLm-3MGbYHtFuUbcBtA\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2024\/10\/Subdomain-structure.png\/w=300,fit=scale-down 300w, https:\/\/imagedelivery.net\/LqiWLm-3MGbYHtFuUbcBtA\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2024\/10\/Subdomain-structure.png\/w=1024,fit=scale-down 1024w, https:\/\/imagedelivery.net\/LqiWLm-3MGbYHtFuUbcBtA\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2024\/10\/Subdomain-structure.png\/w=150,fit=scale-down 150w, https:\/\/imagedelivery.net\/LqiWLm-3MGbYHtFuUbcBtA\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2024\/10\/Subdomain-structure.png\/w=768,fit=scale-down 768w, https:\/\/imagedelivery.net\/LqiWLm-3MGbYHtFuUbcBtA\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2024\/10\/Subdomain-structure.png\/w=1536,fit=scale-down 1536w, https:\/\/imagedelivery.net\/LqiWLm-3MGbYHtFuUbcBtA\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2024\/10\/Subdomain-structure.png\/w=2048,fit=scale-down 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 8535px) 100vw, 8535px\" \/><button class=\"lightbox-trigger\" type=\"button\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-label=\"Enlarge\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\" data-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\">\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewbox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\"><\/path>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure><\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-is-a-domain-name-extension\">What is a domain name extension?<\/h2><p>A domain name extension is the ending of a domain name, such as .com, .org, .net, .lt, .uk, or .de. It&rsquo;s another name for TLD, but &ldquo;extension&rdquo; is the more common term people use when choosing and registering a domain.<\/p><p>Your extension helps set expectations before visitors arrive on your site. A .com domain is a flexible choice for most websites and is widely recognized worldwide. A country code like .lt, .uk, or .de can make your site feel more local, while options like .tech, .store, or .online can give visitors a quick idea of what your website is about.<\/p><p>Availability can also influence your choice. If your preferred .com is already taken, you may be able to use the same second-level domain with a different extension. For example, .net is one of the most common <a href=\"\/my\/tutorials\/domain-name-alternatives\/\">domain name alternatives<\/a> to .com.<\/p><p>The two are similar, but their popularity, typical use cases, and user expectations can differ, so it&rsquo;s worth comparing<a href=\"\/my\/tutorials\/com-vs-net\/\"> .com vs. .net<\/a> before you register.<\/p><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-is-the-difference-between-a-domain-name-and-a-url\">What is the difference between a domain name and a URL?<\/h2><p>A domain name is one part of a URL (Uniform Resource Locator). The easiest way to understand <a href=\"\/my\/tutorials\/what-is-a-url\/\">what a URL is<\/a> compared to a domain name is to look at the full address: <strong>hostinger.com<\/strong> is the website&rsquo;s domain, while <strong>https:\/\/hostinger.com\/tutorials<\/strong> is the full URL to a specific page.<\/p><p>The domain is a key part of a URL, but the URL also contains additional information like the protocol (<a href=\"\/my\/tutorials\/https-port\/\">https<\/a>) and file path (<strong>\/tutorials<\/strong>).<\/p><div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure data-wp-context='{\"imageId\":\"6a565c80a5c90\"}' data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a565c80a5c90\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"872\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/imagedelivery.net\/LqiWLm-3MGbYHtFuUbcBtA\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2024\/09\/the-structure-of-a-url-and-domain-name.png\/w=1024,h=1024,fit=scale-down\" alt=\"The structure of a URL\" class=\"wp-image-115414\" srcset=\"https:\/\/imagedelivery.net\/LqiWLm-3MGbYHtFuUbcBtA\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2024\/09\/the-structure-of-a-url-and-domain-name.png\/w=2048,fit=scale-down 2048w, https:\/\/imagedelivery.net\/LqiWLm-3MGbYHtFuUbcBtA\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2024\/09\/the-structure-of-a-url-and-domain-name.png\/w=300,fit=scale-down 300w, https:\/\/imagedelivery.net\/LqiWLm-3MGbYHtFuUbcBtA\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2024\/09\/the-structure-of-a-url-and-domain-name.png\/w=1024,fit=scale-down 1024w, https:\/\/imagedelivery.net\/LqiWLm-3MGbYHtFuUbcBtA\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2024\/09\/the-structure-of-a-url-and-domain-name.png\/w=150,fit=scale-down 150w, https:\/\/imagedelivery.net\/LqiWLm-3MGbYHtFuUbcBtA\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2024\/09\/the-structure-of-a-url-and-domain-name.png\/w=768,fit=scale-down 768w, https:\/\/imagedelivery.net\/LqiWLm-3MGbYHtFuUbcBtA\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2024\/09\/the-structure-of-a-url-and-domain-name.png\/w=1536,fit=scale-down 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><button class=\"lightbox-trigger\" type=\"button\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-label=\"Enlarge\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\" data-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\">\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewbox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\"><\/path>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure><\/div><p>Here&rsquo;s how the URL parts compare:<\/p><figure tabindex=\"0\" class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Part<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>What it is<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Example<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Protocol<\/td><td>The connection method<\/td><td>https:\/\/<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Domain name<\/td><td>The website&rsquo;s address<\/td><td>hostinger.com<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Path<\/td><td>The specific page or folder<\/td><td>\/tutorials<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Full URL<\/td><td>All parts combined<\/td><td>https:\/\/hostinger.com\/tutorials<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-to-get-a-domain-name\">What is the difference between a domain name, website, hosting, and email address?<\/h2><p>These four terms often come up together, but they do different jobs.<\/p><ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A <strong>domain name<\/strong> is the address people type into a browser, like <strong>yoursite.com<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A <strong>website<\/strong> is the collection of pages and content that visitors see when they arrive.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Web hosting<\/strong> is the server space where your website&rsquo;s files are stored. Without hosting, there&rsquo;s nowhere for the site to live. Think of the domain as the address and hosting as the building &ndash; that&rsquo;s the difference between <a href=\"\/my\/tutorials\/domain-vs-hosting\/\">domains and hosting<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>An <strong>email address<\/strong> can use the same domain after the @ sign, like <strong>hello@yoursite.com<\/strong>. This ties your email to your brand and makes it look more professional than a free email provider. You can <a href=\"\/my\/tutorials\/how-to-create-email-with-domain-name\/\">create an email with your domain name<\/a> during or after registration.<\/li>\n<\/ul><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-to-choose-the-right-domain-name\">How to choose the right domain name<\/h2><p>A good domain name is easy to remember, simple to type, and clear about what your website is for. It should also work long-term, including the extension you choose and the renewal cost.<\/p><p>To <a href=\"\/my\/tutorials\/how-to-choose-the-right-domain-name\/\">choose the right domain name<\/a>, focus on these basics:<\/p><ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Keep it short.<\/strong> Shorter names are easier to type and remember.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Make it memorable.<\/strong> Avoid awkward spellings or unfamiliar words.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Match your brand or purpose.<\/strong> The name should make sense for what your site is about.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Skip unnecessary numbers and hyphens.<\/strong> These make names harder to share verbally.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Choose a fitting extension.<\/strong> A <strong>.com<\/strong> works for most sites, but country or industry extensions can be a better fit.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Check availability and renewal cost.<\/strong> Some domains are cheap to register but expensive to renew.<\/li>\n<\/ul><p>If you&rsquo;re stuck, a <a href=\"\/my\/tutorials\/best-domain-name-generators\/\">domain name generator<\/a> can suggest ideas based on your keywords.<\/p><p>    <div class=\"mb-50 mt-50 domain-checker domain-checker__bg\">\n        <h3 class=\"m-0 text-center text-white pb-10\">Domain Name Checker<\/h3>\n        <p class=\"pb-40 text-center text-white\">Instantly check domain name availability.<\/p>\n        <form id=\"domain-checker-form\" class=\"d-flex w-100 position-relative flex-column flex-sm-row align-items-center\" action=\"\/my\/domain-checker\">\n            <input\n                    class=\"domain-checker__input label text-light-black\"\n                    name=\"domain\" type=\"text\"\n                    placeholder=\"Enter your desired domain name\"\n                    value=\"\"\n            \/>\n            <input id=\"domain-submit\"\n                   type=\"submit\"\n                   value=\"Check\"\n                   class=\"domain-checker__button hb--danger new-h-button-primary button text-white float-right\"\/>\n        <\/form>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n<\/p><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-can-i-get-a-free-domain-name\">Can I get a free domain name?<\/h2><p>Yes. There are two main ways to get a domain at no extra cost:<\/p><p>A <strong>free custom domain<\/strong> comes included with some hosting plans. Hostinger&rsquo;s Premium, Business, and Cloud web hosting plans, for example, include a free domain registration for the first year.<\/p><p>A <strong>free subdomain<\/strong> is offered by some website builders and platforms. These addresses usually look like <strong>yourname.platform.com<\/strong>, which is less professional than a custom domain.<\/p><p>There are other ways to <a href=\"\/my\/tutorials\/how-to-get-a-free-domain-name\/\">get a free domain name<\/a> too, including promotions and long-term plan discounts.<\/p><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-do-i-check-the-owner-of-a-domain-name\">How do I check the owner of a domain name?<\/h2><p>You can check domain ownership through a WHOIS lookup tool. This search reveals the registrar, registration date, and sometimes contact details of the domain owner. However, many owners use domain privacy protection to hide personal information.<\/p><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-is-the-best-domain-for-my-website\">How to buy and register a domain name<\/h2><p>Once you&rsquo;ve chosen a name and extension, the next step is to <a href=\"\/my\/tutorials\/how-to-buy-a-domain-name\/\">buy the domain name<\/a> through a registrar. This gives you the right to use that web address for a set period, usually one year.<\/p><p>Here&rsquo;s the basic process:<\/p><ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Choose a reliable domain registrar, like Hostinger.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Search for an available domain name.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Choose a suitable domain extension.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Complete the registration and payment.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Verify your ownership.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Enable domain privacy and renewal protection.<\/li>\n<\/ol><p id=\"h-what-is-the-best-domain-for-my-website\"><a href=\"\/my\/tutorials\/i-bought-a-domain-name-now-what\/\">After you buy a domain name<\/a>, you can connect it to a website, use it for a custom email address, or keep it reserved for a future project. Just make sure renewal is enabled or tracked so you don&rsquo;t lose access when the registration period ends.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A domain name is a human-readable address that people type into a browser to visit a website, like google.com or wikipedia.org. It works as a shortcut to IP addresses, the strings of numbers that computers use to find each other online. A system called DNS (Domain Name System) handles the translation behind the scenes. A [&#8230;]<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"btn btn-secondary understrap-read-more-link\" href=\"\/my\/tutorials\/how-to-start-a-blog-3\">Read More&#8230;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":332,"featured_media":131537,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_title":"What is a domain name? Explained for beginners","rank_math_description":"A domain name is the address of your website on the internet. Learn how it works, why it matters, and how to choose the right one.","rank_math_focus_keyword":"what is a domain name, what is a domain name","footnotes":""},"categories":[22626],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-10106","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-domains"],"hreflangs":[{"locale":"en-US","link":"https:\/\/www.hostinger.com\/tutorials\/what-is-a-domain-name\/","default":0},{"locale":"pt-BR","link":"https:\/\/www.hostinger.com\/br\/tutoriais\/o-que-e-dominio","default":0},{"locale":"fr-FR","link":"https:\/\/www.hostinger.com\/fr\/tutoriels\/quest-ce-quun-nom-de-domaine","default":0},{"locale":"es-ES","link":"https:\/\/www.hostinger.com\/es\/tutoriales\/que-es-un-dominio-web","default":0},{"locale":"id-ID","link":"https:\/\/www.hostinger.com\/id\/tutorial\/apa-itu-domain\/","default":0},{"locale":"de-DE","link":"https:\/\/www.hostinger.com\/de\/tutorials\/was-ist-eine-domain","default":0},{"locale":"it-IT","link":"https:\/\/www.hostinger.com\/it\/tutorial\/cos-e-un-dominio","default":0},{"locale":"nl-NL","link":"https:\/\/www.hostinger.com\/nl\/tutorials\/wat-is-een-domeinnaam","default":0},{"locale":"pl-PL","link":"https:\/\/www.hostinger.com\/pl\/tutoriale\/\/co-to-jest-nazwa-domeny\/","default":0},{"locale":"en-UK","link":"https:\/\/www.hostinger.com\/uk\/tutorials\/what-is-a-domain-name\/","default":0},{"locale":"en-MY","link":"https:\/\/www.hostinger.com\/my\/tutorials\/what-is-a-domain-name\/","default":0},{"locale":"en-PH","link":"https:\/\/www.hostinger.com\/ph\/tutorials\/what-is-a-domain-name\/","default":0},{"locale":"es-MX","link":"https:\/\/www.hostinger.com\/mx\/tutoriales\/guia-completa-robots-txt-wordpress-7","default":0},{"locale":"es-CO","link":"https:\/\/www.hostinger.com\/co\/tutoriales\/configurar-servidor-vps-19\/","default":0},{"locale":"es-AR","link":"https:\/\/www.hostinger.com\/ar\/tutoriales\/como-hacer-un-blog-de-viajes-11\/","default":0},{"locale":"pt-PT","link":"https:\/\/www.hostinger.com\/pt\/tutoriais\/o-que-e-dominio","default":0},{"locale":"en-IN","link":"https:\/\/www.hostinger.com\/in\/tutorials\/what-is-a-domain-name\/","default":0},{"locale":"en-CA","link":"https:\/\/www.hostinger.com\/ca\/tutorials\/what-is-a-domain-name\/","default":0},{"locale":"en-AU","link":"https:\/\/www.hostinger.com\/au\/tutorials\/what-is-a-domain-name\/","default":0},{"locale":"en-NG","link":"https:\/\/www.hostinger.com\/ng\/tutorials\/what-is-a-domain-name\/","default":0}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hostinger.com\/my\/tutorials\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10106","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hostinger.com\/my\/tutorials\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hostinger.com\/my\/tutorials\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hostinger.com\/my\/tutorials\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/332"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hostinger.com\/my\/tutorials\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10106"}],"version-history":[{"count":155,"href":"https:\/\/www.hostinger.com\/my\/tutorials\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10106\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":131536,"href":"https:\/\/www.hostinger.com\/my\/tutorials\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10106\/revisions\/131536"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hostinger.com\/my\/tutorials\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/131537"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hostinger.com\/my\/tutorials\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10106"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hostinger.com\/my\/tutorials\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10106"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hostinger.com\/my\/tutorials\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10106"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}