Domain

What Is Domain?

Every host connected to the network has a unique identification fixed IP address to distinguish between millions of computers and users.

However, because the IP address using digital representation, such as 191.0.1.1, is difficult for humans to remember and doesn’t meet the daily habit. So people developed another address scheme based on the IP address scheme - the domain name program.

A domain or domain name is a combination of commonly used symbols such as letters, numbers, and characters in a certain way, such as abc123.com, which is more logical than simple numbers and is easier to remember and use. Every domain name corresponds to a specific IP address, and they all represent the same host.

What Are Domains Used for?

Domains fulfill several important functions.

Give Ownership

A domain name can give ownership of a website address. After you register a domain, no one else can gain control of it.

Enable Accessibility

A domain makes it easier for users to find and access a website, which is more conducive to increasing website traffic and brand awareness.

Build Brand Identity

A domain that is identical to your brand name can increase user trust and establish brand professionalism and authority.

Create Economic Value

Attractive, simple domain names often gain popularity due to increased direct traffic, making them valuable digital assets that can be traded for economic gain.

Localization

The specific domains of country/region can help brands customize localized content for users in specific geographic locations to attract and retain customers.

Components of a Domain Name

A domain usually consists of two parts from left to right, the Second Level Domain (SLD) and the Top Level Domain (TLD), which are distinguished from each other by a "." sign - i.e., a generic domain name is denoted as “SLD.TLD”, such as "google.com".

Second Level Domain

SLD is the identifier of a website and the only component that represents a brand, company, or individual.

Example: In “google.com”, “google” is the SLD.

Top Level Domain

TLD is the right of the last dot in a domain that designates the type, geographic area, or purpose for which your brand is registered on the Internet.

It’s categorized into several categories, including Generic Top-Level Domain(.com/.org), Country Code Top-Level Domain(.us/.uk), Sponsored Top-Level Domain(.edu/.gov), and Infrastructure Top-Level Domain(.arpa).

Example: In “google.com”, “com” is the TLD.

Sometimes, domains have a third part, which we call a Subdomain, also known as a Third Level Domain(3LD) because of its location on the left side of the SDL. It is often used to navigate to different sections or services of a website

Example: In “map.google.com”, “map” is the 3LD.