Different Types of Domains Explained

By Cheryl J. Morris 4 months ago
Types of Domain | @braincandy.in

Choosing a domain name is crucial to building a new website. This is because a website with a domain represents the face of your brand. However, you must find a good domain registration provider. 

But that’s not all. Several other factors go into determining the success of your website. Domain names happen to be just one of them, and that is what we will be discussing in today’s article. Read on to learn about different types of website domains and how they can help your website. 

What is a Domain?

It is an address that people type into a web browser while using the Internet. In simple words, a domain is a website’s address. E.g., www.google.com would be considered a domain. 

A domain name is generally linked to a website’s IP address, making recalling and searching for a website more straightforward. 

How Do Domains Work? 

  1. When you type a domain into your browser, it requests the Domain Name System (DNS). This decentralised system maintains a directory of domain names and their corresponding IP addresses. 
  2. Once the DNS translates the domain name into an IP address, the next step is to locate and access the website files on the hosting server so that the website can be displayed on the screen.

Types of Website Domains 

  • Top Level Domains

A top-level domain is the very last segment of any domain name. For example, www.website.com, here .com is the top-level domain. These website domain types mainly communicate a website’s purpose and location. 

  • Country Code Top Level Domain 

This domain mainly indicates a website’s location. It is primarily used by companies looking to build a local presence in a specific region. 

  • Generic Top-Level Domain 

These are some of the most common domain name types. They mainly include .com, .net, .org, etc. Domain names generally reflect the main objective of the website. For example, a .com website is primarily commercial, while a .org website is usually used for non-profit organisations. 

  • Second Level Domain (2LD)

This kind of domain name shows the identity of the website. For example, www.google.com, where Google is the second-level domain, represents the part of the domain that users will remember the most. So, it is always beneficial to choose a short yet memorable second-level domain. 

  • Third Level Domain 

This is the section that precedes the second-level domain. The only reason for which a third-level domain is used is to add subdomains to your existing domain. Subdomains are used for multiple purposes, but below are some of the most common uses: 

  1. Adding a Blog 
  2. Creating a Resource Section 
  3. Hosting an Application
  4. Creating an Online Store 

Conclusion 

Choosing the right domain name is an important decision for businesses that want to build their identity and improve their online performance. Before registering your domain, choose one that fits the website’s purpose and aligns with its goals.