Introduction to Domain Names

If you’re setting up a website for your small business, choosing the right domain name is one of the most important decisions you’ll make.

A domain name is your digital address on the internet — it’s how customers find you and forms a crucial part of your brand identity.

Think of it as your business's home online, representing who you are and what you offer.

A domain name is the web address people type into their browser to visit your website. For example:

• Business website: www.cakeshop.com
• Email address: [email protected]

Every domain name is unique and works as a shortcut to your website’s location on the internet. Behind the scenes, it connects to a numerical IP address that computers use to locate your site.

Without domain names, you’d need to share a string of numbers (like 192.168.1.1) with customers—hardly memorable!

Here are the key components of a domain name:

1. Top-Level Domain (TLD):
   This is the extension at the end of the domain, such as .com, .co.uk, .org, or newer ones like .shop or .studio. Each TLD serves different purposes:
• .com: Ideal for commercial or general websites.
• .co.uk: A great choice for UK-based businesses targeting local customers.
• Specialised TLDs: Extensions like .photography or .cafe can indicate your niche or industry.
2. Second-Level Domain:
   This is the main part of your domain, where your business name or brand appears (e.g., “cakeshop” in cakeshop.com).
   
3. Subdomains (optional):
   These come before the second-level domain and are used to create separate sections of a website, such as blog.cakeshop.com.