Parts of a Domain Name Explained
Alright, let's dive into the wonderful world of domain names! Imagine them being like a magical address that takes you to your favourite online destinations. Now, let's have some fun exploring the different parts of a domain name using the example below:
1. Protocol: This enables the communication or exchanging of info from one computer to another over the internet. The most commonly used protocols, which you’ve probably seen a bunch of times before, are HTTP and HTTPS (the ‘s’ stands for secure).
An HTTPS is the secure version of the HTTP, and uses encryption to send and receive data - it’s the one you’ll have for your site if you’ve purchased and installed a security certificate, which verifies that your website is safe. We’ll run through that in another article.
2. Subdomain: The subdomain is the beginning part of a websites domain name, think www. (which, if you didn’t already know, stands for World Wide Web).
Sometimes, a domain name has a subdomain that acts like a secret passageway and functions separately to your website’s main domain e.g. "blog.unmazeonline.com" - "blog" is the subdomain that whisks visitors away to your blog posts section. It’s entirely separate from your main website, so think of it like having a hidden doorway within the larger domain - kind of like a gaming easter egg. Because it’s separate to your main website, having a subdomain that leads away from your main site is now frowned upon by most website creators, because it means doubling up your SEO efforts - effectively it’s like you’ll be competing with yourself!
3. Second-Level Domain: Ah, the heart and soul of a domain name! The second-level domain is the captivating part that gives a website its unique identity. In "www.unmazeonline.com", "unmazeonline" is the second-level domain that tells the world who we are. It’s the part where you get to promote your business or blog name, so it’s a big deal - like the main character in a story - your story!
4.1. Top-Level Domain: The top-level domain (TLD) is like the crown on top of a domain name. It adds a touch of distinction and reveals the kingdom to which a website belongs. From .com to .org, or .co to .io, each TLD has its own charm, and defines the website's purpose and origin. The most highly sought after TLD is .com, since it’s the most memorable and widely used in the world, while .org is used for nonprofit entities globally.
4.2. Country Code TLD: Some domain names have an extra touch of magic - the country code TLD (ccTLD). These two-letter TLDs represent specific countries or territories. There’s a level of trust that comes with a ccTLD, and they can also add a dash of national pride e.g. using .us for the United States, .nz for New Zealand, .au for Australia, and .uk for the United Kingdom etc. It's like waving a little flag to showcase your digital citizenship! But be aware that for some countries, anyone can buy a Country Code TLD for that country, even when that person doesn’t live there. So if you find a domain you like (especially if you’re promoting products or services within your own country), make sure you snatch it up before someone from halfway around the world does!
4.3. Domain Name Extensions: Beyond the traditional TLDs, there are now a plethora of imaginative extensions that cater to various industries, interests, and communities. From .pizza to .club, and even .ninja, these can add a touch of personalisation to a domain. It's like adding a little something extra to make your website stand out, and can be used as a fun way to market your business or blog, but unless you market them properly, most people will still think .com, or another really common extension. If you don’t want your potential customers or website visitors heading to a competitor, you’ll need to make sure they know where to find you!
5. Subfolder: This is the part of a domain that points users to a particular place on your website (e.g. this articles subfolder). They act like folders to help keep your website organised so users can find their way around without any trouble, which helps with SEO too.
6. Page or Slug: This part refers to the page your visitor has ended up on that identifies what the page is all about - like the page you’re on right now!
We’ll be talking about purchasing a domain name in our next article, so if the second-level domain for your company or side hustle isn’t available, when it’s paired with the TLD that you want, then it’s time to get creative! We’ll go into more detail on how you can do this, when we meet again.
So, there you have it - a magical journey through the parts of a domain name. Each component plays a unique role, bringing websites to life and guiding us through the vast online realm. Now, go forth and decide on that perfect domain name for your digital adventures. May it be memorable, captivating, and exactly what you want to bring your new venture to life!