A
domain name is a unique address that directs a user’s
web browser to the location where your website is hosted.
Some examples
are “google.com” and “pbs.org.”
What is the
Difference Between a Domain Name and Web Hosting?
What Kinds of Domain
Names are Available?
How Do I Know if the
Name I Want is Available?
Once I Own a Domain
Name, is it Mine Forever?
Do I Need To Type “WWW.”?
What is a Subdomain?
Can I Access My Website
Without a Domain Name? What Should I Know About Choosing
a Domain Name?
Why
Should I Keep My Domain Record Current?
What is the Difference
Between a Domain Name and Web Hosting?
It is important to recognize the distinction between
domain names and web hosting. A domain name is simply
that—a name—that serves as an easy way
for people to remember how to locate your website and/or send you e-mail. However,
it alone does not provide you with the ability to maintain a website. For that,
you need web hosting, where you receive an allotted amount of space on a web
server that is always connected to the Internet in exchange for a monthly fee
(or “rent”).
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What Kinds of Domain Names
Are Available?
A domain name is comprised of two parts—the
unique name (i.e. “google”), and the TLD
ending (i.e. “.com”). The combination of
the unique name and TLD ending that you want must not
already be owned by anyone else in order for you to purchase
it.
The most common TLDs (top level domains)
are “.com,” “.net,” and “.org.” You
cannot make up your own TLD; you must select one from the
list of approved current extensions. The range of TLDs is
expanding all the time.
For more information choosing a domain
name, see “How Do I Choose
a Domain Name?”
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How Do
I Know If the Name I Want is Available?
A WHOIS engine search will show you the status of a given domain name, i.e.
whether it is available for purchase, or currently owned.
If a domain is currently owned, you still
may be able to obtain it. Look for the expiration date. If
it has passed, the domain is expired; if the current owner
does not renew the name within 60-90 days, the name will
become available for purchase. Keep checking back.
Even if the domain is currently owned
and not expired, its owner may be willing to sell it to
you. First, type the domain name into an Internet browser
and see if there is an active site at that address. If
there is not, there is a chance the owner is not using
it. Look for the administrative contact e-mail address
in the WHOIS search results, and send them an e-mail letting
them know you are interested.
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Once
I Own a Domain Name, Is It Mine Forever?
In short, no. Domain names need to be renewed annually. Many domain registrars
will allow you to renew a name up to ten years in advance, often at a discount.
Reminder e-mails are sent before a name expires so you have an opportunity
to renew it.
If you do not renew your domain name by
its expiration date, it will become inactive and no longer
point to your website. Within a few weeks, you will be unable
to renew it and it will once again be available for public
purchase. See “Why Should
I Keep My Domain Record Current?” for
more details.
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Do I
Need To Type “WWW.”? What is a Subdomain?
A subdomain is a word (or words) preceding a domain name in a URL. Although
you see “www” in most web addresses, this part is actually a subdomain,
and not a section of the actual domain name.
A given domain name can have as many subdomains
as its web hosting provider allows. Each subdomain can point
to a different section of the same website, using the same
domain name; in this case, “www” is generally
set to point to the same place as the domain name by itself
points.
The following is a list of subdomain variations
on the same domain name that each point to a different section
of the same website:
images.google.com
groups.google.com
news.google.com
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Can I Access My Website Without
a Domain Name?
If you have web hosting, but not a domain name, you can still access your website
with what’s known as an IP address. This is particularly useful if your
domain name has expired but you still need to access your files.
If you have a dedicated IP address, the
address to use looks something like http://123.45.678.910.
If you have a shared IP address, you will need to use an
Instant Access Alias, which is considerably longer and may
include both letters and numbers. Your specific information
can be provided by your web host.
As you can tell, a domain name is considerably
easier to remember than a sequence of random numbers and/or
letters. It is strongly recommended that you maintain both
a domain name and web hosting simultaneously. See “Why
Should I Keep My Domain Record Current?” for more details.
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here.
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you? Click here.
A good website begins with a clever domain
name. Read more.
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