What is a domain name?
A domain name is a string of text that maps to an alphanumeric IP address, used to access a website from client software. In plain English, a domain name is the text that a user types into a browser window to reach a particular website. For instance, the domain name for Google is ‘google.com’.
The actual address of a website is a complex numerical IP address (e.g. 192.0.2.2), but thanks to DNS, users are able to enter human-friendly domain names and be routed to the websites they are looking for. This process is known as a DNS lookup.
Who manages domain names?
Domain names are all managed by domain registries, which delegate the reservation of domain names to registrars. Anyone who wants to create a website can choose a registrar to register a domain name, and there are currently over 300 million registered domain names.
Learn more about buying and managing domains with Cloudflare Registrar.
What is the difference between a domain name and a URL?
A uniform resource locator (URL), sometimes called a web address, contains the domain name of a site as well as other information, including the protocol and the path. For example, in the URL ‘https://cloudflare.com/learning/’, ‘cloudflare.com’ is the domain name, while ‘https’ is the protocol and ‘/learning/’ is the path to a specific page on the website.
What are the parts of a domain name?
Domain names are typically broken up into two or three parts, each separated by a dot. When read right-to-left, the identifiers in domain names go from most general to most specific. The section to the right of the last dot in a domain name is the top-level domain (TLD). These include the ‘generic’ TLDs such as ‘.com’, ‘.net’, and ‘.org’, as well as country-specific TLDs like ‘.uk’ and ‘.jp’.
To the left of the TLD is the second-level domain (2LD) and if there is anything to the left of the 2LD, it is called the third-level domain (3LD). Let’s look at a couple of examples:
For Google’s US domain name, ‘google.com’:
’.com’ is the TLD (most general)
’google’ is the 2LD (most specific)
But for Google UK’s domain name, ‘google.co.uk’:
’.uk’ is the TLD (most general)
’.co’* is the 2LD
’google’ is the 3LD (most specific)
*In this case, the 2LD indicates the type of organization that registered the domain (.co in the UK is for sites registered by companies).
How to keep a domain name secure
Once a domain name has been registered with a registrar, that registrar is in charge of notifying the registrant when their domain is about to expire and giving them the chance to renew, ensuring they do not lose their domain name. In some cases, registrars will prey on their users’ expired domain names by buying those domains the second they expire and then selling them back to the original registrant at an exorbitant price.
It is important to choose an honest and trustworthy registrar like Cloudflare Registrar to avoid these kinds of predatory practices. Learn more about how to buy a domain name.
Dive deeper into domain names:
Domain prices
Domains can cost from a few dollars (US) per year to thousands or in rare cases millions. Much of the variability is influenced by market demand. But often, prices stem from the business practices of domain registrars. To save on domain name prices, look for a registrar with little to no fees and minimal markups.
Premium domains
A premium domain costs more than an average or typical domain due to its perceived value. Its value is driven by characteristics that make the domain easy to remember, useful for marketing purposes, or aligned closely with a certain business, product, or industry.
Expired domains
When a domain expires, it can be renewed by the registrant, be purchased at auction, return to the registry (the primary database for domain names), or become subject to domain squatting. High-quality domain registrars notify registrants well in advance before a domain expires.
Domain name registrars
A domain name registrar is a business that coordinates the reservation of domain names. They allow individuals and businesses to lease domain names for a set period of time. Registrars may offer additional services as well, and some charge more for domain name registration than others.
Domain squatting
Cybersquatting or domain squatting is the practice of registering a domain name in bad faith. In most cases, the squatter has no actual interest in the domain other than reselling it. Sometimes the squatter aims to use the domain for phishing or other malicious purposes.
Domain privacy
WHOIS privacy or domain privacy is the practice of concealing domain registrant contact information from public view. This can help reduce spam or harassment directed at registrants. Some registrars include domain privacy automatically, while others charge extra for it.
Top-level domains (TLDs)
A top-level domain (TLD) is the last section of a domain name: for example, ".com" or ".org." It is called "top-level" because it represents the first step of the DNS lookup process after the root nameserver. For businesses, selecting a relevant TLD is an important part of branding. However, some TLDs cost more than others, and this can affect the overall price of a domain name.
How to buy a domain name
To buy a domain (or technically lease a domain), search for the desired domain on registrar websites, compare costs and renewal terms across registrars, and purchase the domain after settling on the best registrar for your use case. Cloudflare Registrar keeps domain prices low by eliminating markups and renewal fees.
How to transfer a domain name
After a domain has been registered for at least 60 days, it is possible to transfer a domain from one registrar to a different registrar. To transfer a domain name, double-check contact information, contact both the old and new registrars, ask for an authorization code, and remove any domain locks.
FAQs
What is a domain name?
A domain name is a unique, human-readable address used to access websites, like "cloudflare.com." It maps to an IP address, allowing users to reach websites by typing easy-to-remember words instead of a complex series of characters.
What is DNS (Domain Name System)?
DNS is the system that translates user-friendly domain names into alphanumerical IP addresses, enabling browsers to load the correct website when a domain name is entered.
What is a URL (Uniform Resource Locator)?
A URL is a web address that includes the domain name, the protocol (like "https"), and the specific path to a page or resource on a website.
What are the components of a domain name?
Domain names are split into parts separated by dots. The rightmost is the top-level domain (TLD), to its left is the second-level domain (2LD), and any section further left is a third-level domain (3LD) or subdomain. In "cloudflare.com," for example, ".com" is the TLD and "cloudflare" is the 2LD.
What is domain registration?
Domain registration is the process of reserving a domain name for exclusive use through a domain registrar. There are hundreds of millions of registered domain names worldwide.
What is an IP address in relation to domain names?
An IP address is the alphanumerical address that computers use to identify each other on the Internet. Domain names map to these IP addresses so users can access websites using words instead of a complex string of characters.
Why is domain name security important?
Choosing a trustworthy registrar is crucial to avoid predatory practices like domain squatting, where expired domains are bought and resold at high prices, or domain hijacking, when a malicious party takes control of a domain name. A reliable registrar helps keep your domain secure.