{"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":"2026-07-11T13:32:45","modified_gmt":"2026-07-11T13:32:45","slug":"what-is-a-domain-name","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"\/ph\/tutorials\/what-is-a-domain-name","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=\"\/ph\/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=\"\/ph\/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\":\"6a58c5749a7a2\"}' data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a58c5749a7a2\" 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\/44\/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\/44\/2024\/09\/how-do-domain-names-work.png\/w=1068,fit=scale-down 1068w, https:\/\/imagedelivery.net\/LqiWLm-3MGbYHtFuUbcBtA\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2024\/09\/how-do-domain-names-work.png\/w=300,fit=scale-down 300w, https:\/\/imagedelivery.net\/LqiWLm-3MGbYHtFuUbcBtA\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2024\/09\/how-do-domain-names-work.png\/w=1024,fit=scale-down 1024w, https:\/\/imagedelivery.net\/LqiWLm-3MGbYHtFuUbcBtA\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2024\/09\/how-do-domain-names-work.png\/w=150,fit=scale-down 150w, https:\/\/imagedelivery.net\/LqiWLm-3MGbYHtFuUbcBtA\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/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=\"\/ph\/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\":\"6a58c5749b6f3\"}' data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a58c5749b6f3\" 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\/44\/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\/44\/2024\/10\/Domain-name-structure.png\/w=4170,fit=scale-down 4170w, https:\/\/imagedelivery.net\/LqiWLm-3MGbYHtFuUbcBtA\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2024\/10\/Domain-name-structure.png\/w=300,fit=scale-down 300w, https:\/\/imagedelivery.net\/LqiWLm-3MGbYHtFuUbcBtA\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2024\/10\/Domain-name-structure.png\/w=1024,fit=scale-down 1024w, https:\/\/imagedelivery.net\/LqiWLm-3MGbYHtFuUbcBtA\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2024\/10\/Domain-name-structure.png\/w=150,fit=scale-down 150w, https:\/\/imagedelivery.net\/LqiWLm-3MGbYHtFuUbcBtA\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2024\/10\/Domain-name-structure.png\/w=768,fit=scale-down 768w, https:\/\/imagedelivery.net\/LqiWLm-3MGbYHtFuUbcBtA\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2024\/10\/Domain-name-structure.png\/w=1536,fit=scale-down 1536w, https:\/\/imagedelivery.net\/LqiWLm-3MGbYHtFuUbcBtA\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/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=\"\/ph\/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=\"\/ph\/tld\/com-domain\"><strong>.com<\/strong><\/a>, <a href=\"\/ph\/tld\/net-domain\"><strong>.net<\/strong><\/a>, and <a href=\"\/ph\/tld\/org-domain\"><strong>.org<\/strong><\/a>. Industry-specific options like <a href=\"\/ph\/tld\/tech-domain\"><strong>.tech<\/strong><\/a> or <a href=\"\/ph\/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=\"\/ph\/tld\/in-domain\"><strong>.in<\/strong><\/a> is for India, <a href=\"\/ph\/tld\/uk-domain\"><strong>.uk<\/strong><\/a> for the United Kingdom, <a href=\"\/ph\/tutorials\/what-is-eu-domain\/\">.eu<\/a> is for the European Union, and <a href=\"\/ph\/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=\"\/ph\/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=\"\/ph\/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            <div class=\"protip__heading\">\n                <svg width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                    <path d=\"M1.49234 23.5024C1.23229 23.5024 0.972242 23.4024 0.782206 23.2123C0.562165 22.9923 0.452144 22.6822 0.502153 22.3722C0.562165 21.9221 1.14227 17.9113 3.00262 16.351C3.63274 15.8209 4.43289 15.5509 5.26305 15.5609C6.09321 15.5909 6.87335 15.9109 7.47347 16.4911C8.6937 17.6913 8.76371 19.6717 7.6435 20.9919C6.0832 22.8523 2.08245 23.4324 1.63237 23.4924C1.59236 23.4924 1.54235 23.4924 1.50234 23.4924L1.49234 23.5024ZM5.16303 17.5613C4.84297 17.5613 4.53291 17.6713 4.29287 17.8813C3.60274 18.4614 3.07264 19.9317 2.75258 21.242C4.06282 20.9219 5.5331 20.3918 6.11321 19.7017C6.55329 19.1716 6.54329 18.3814 6.0832 17.9213C5.85316 17.7013 5.5431 17.5713 5.20304 17.5613C5.19304 17.5613 5.17303 17.5613 5.16303 17.5613ZM11.7243 21.8821C11.4942 21.8821 11.2642 21.8021 11.0841 21.652C10.8541 21.462 10.7241 21.1819 10.7241 20.8819V15.9109L8.08358 13.2705H3.11264C2.81259 13.2705 2.53254 13.1404 2.3425 12.9104C2.15246 12.6803 2.07245 12.3803 2.12246 12.0902C2.19247 11.7102 2.84259 8.36953 4.70294 7.12929C6.33325 6.04909 8.96375 6.49918 10.244 6.80923C11.5442 4.96889 13.2546 3.4286 15.2349 2.33839C17.4553 1.11816 19.9858 0.518051 22.4963 0.498047C23.0464 0.498047 23.4865 0.948132 23.4865 1.49824C23.4865 5.0389 22.3763 9.97983 17.1753 13.7605C17.4853 15.0408 17.9354 17.6613 16.8552 19.2816C15.615 21.1419 12.2744 21.7921 11.8943 21.8621C11.8343 21.8721 11.7743 21.8821 11.7143 21.8821H11.7243ZM12.7245 16.181V19.6016C13.7146 19.2916 14.7948 18.7915 15.2049 18.1814C15.675 17.4812 15.605 16.091 15.385 14.9008C14.5248 15.3808 13.6346 15.8109 12.7245 16.181ZM9.66388 12.0302L11.9643 14.3307C13.1845 13.8306 14.3648 13.2204 15.485 12.5103C19.9358 9.51974 21.2361 5.60901 21.4561 2.53843C19.6157 2.67846 17.8254 3.20856 16.2051 4.09872C14.2847 5.14892 12.6544 6.68921 11.4942 8.54956C10.7841 9.65977 10.174 10.82 9.66388 12.0302ZM4.39289 11.2701H7.81353C8.1936 10.3599 8.63368 9.46974 9.11377 8.60957C7.92355 8.38953 6.51329 8.31952 5.81315 8.78961C5.19304 9.19968 4.70294 10.3099 4.39289 11.2701Z\" fill=\"#673DE6\"\/>\n                <\/svg>\n                <p class=\"protip__title\">\n                    Did you know?                <\/p>\n            <\/div>\n            <p class=\"protip__content\">According to the latest <a href=\"\/ph\/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\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=\"\/ph\/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\":\"6a58c5749c638\"}' data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a58c5749c638\" 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\/44\/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\/44\/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\/44\/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\/44\/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\/44\/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\/44\/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=\"\/ph\/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=\"\/ph\/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\":\"6a58c5749d3b0\"}' data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a58c5749d3b0\" 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\/44\/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\/44\/2024\/10\/Subdomain-structure.png\/w=8535,fit=scale-down 8535w, https:\/\/imagedelivery.net\/LqiWLm-3MGbYHtFuUbcBtA\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2024\/10\/Subdomain-structure.png\/w=300,fit=scale-down 300w, https:\/\/imagedelivery.net\/LqiWLm-3MGbYHtFuUbcBtA\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2024\/10\/Subdomain-structure.png\/w=1024,fit=scale-down 1024w, https:\/\/imagedelivery.net\/LqiWLm-3MGbYHtFuUbcBtA\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2024\/10\/Subdomain-structure.png\/w=150,fit=scale-down 150w, https:\/\/imagedelivery.net\/LqiWLm-3MGbYHtFuUbcBtA\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2024\/10\/Subdomain-structure.png\/w=768,fit=scale-down 768w, https:\/\/imagedelivery.net\/LqiWLm-3MGbYHtFuUbcBtA\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2024\/10\/Subdomain-structure.png\/w=1536,fit=scale-down 1536w, https:\/\/imagedelivery.net\/LqiWLm-3MGbYHtFuUbcBtA\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/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=\"\/ph\/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=\"\/ph\/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=\"\/ph\/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=\"\/ph\/tutorials\/https-port\/\">https<\/a>) and file path (<strong>\/tutorials<\/strong>).<\/p><div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure data-wp-context='{\"imageId\":\"6a58c5749df32\"}' data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a58c5749df32\" 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\/44\/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\/44\/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\/44\/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\/44\/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\/44\/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\/44\/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\/44\/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=\"\/ph\/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=\"\/ph\/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=\"\/ph\/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=\"\/ph\/tutorials\/best-domain-name-generators\/\">domain name generator<\/a> can suggest ideas based on your keywords.<\/p><p>    <div class=\"domain-checker\">\n        <h3 class=\"domain-checker__heading\">Domain Name Checker<\/h3>\n        <p class=\"domain-checker__description\">Instantly check domain name availability.<\/p>\n        <form id=\"domain-checker-form\" class=\"domain-checker__form\" action=\"\/ph\/domain-checker\">\n           <div class=\"domain-checker__icon\">\n               <svg width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                   <path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M15.3224 16.7375C13.9306 17.8263 12.1782 18.4752 10.2742 18.4752C5.74548 18.4752 2.07422 14.8039 2.07422 10.2752C2.07422 5.74646 5.74548 2.0752 10.2742 2.0752C14.803 2.0752 18.4742 5.74646 18.4742 10.2752C18.4742 12.1792 17.8253 13.9316 16.7366 15.3233L21.631 20.2179C22.0216 20.6084 22.0216 21.2416 21.631 21.6321C21.2405 22.0226 20.6073 22.0226 20.2168 21.6321L15.3224 16.7375ZM16.4742 10.2752C16.4742 13.6994 13.6984 16.4752 10.2742 16.4752C6.85005 16.4752 4.07422 13.6994 4.07422 10.2752C4.07422 6.85103 6.85005 4.0752 10.2742 4.0752C13.6984 4.0752 16.4742 6.85103 16.4742 10.2752Z\" fill=\"#1D1E20\"\/>\n               <\/svg>\n           <\/div>\n            <input\n                    class=\"domain-checker__input\"\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\"\/>\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=\"\/ph\/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=\"\/ph\/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=\"\/ph\/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=\"\/ph\/tutorials\/what-is-a-domain-name\">Read More&#8230;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":332,"featured_media":131320,"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\/ph\/tutorials\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10106","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hostinger.com\/ph\/tutorials\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hostinger.com\/ph\/tutorials\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hostinger.com\/ph\/tutorials\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/332"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hostinger.com\/ph\/tutorials\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10106"}],"version-history":[{"count":155,"href":"https:\/\/www.hostinger.com\/ph\/tutorials\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10106\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":131319,"href":"https:\/\/www.hostinger.com\/ph\/tutorials\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10106\/revisions\/131319"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hostinger.com\/ph\/tutorials\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/131320"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hostinger.com\/ph\/tutorials\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10106"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hostinger.com\/ph\/tutorials\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10106"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hostinger.com\/ph\/tutorials\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10106"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}