What is a Domain Name?
 A
domain name is your address on the Internet. Like any address,
it is important for the success of your business that you use,
promote and protect it so that customers can find you easily.
More than this, your domain name is your online-identity and
brand – your customers won't just know you as Your Company
Inc., they will know you as "yourcompany.com".
Domain names were developed to
make it easy for people to find things on the Internet.
Computers find each other by using a set of numbers called an
IP Address (IP is an acronym for Internet Protocol), these
look like 63.125.8.90. The Domain Name System (DNS) is a set
of software and computers that translates domain names into
their matching IP addresses and visa versa.
The most common uses for domain
names are for:
- Web site addresses:
the domain name is prefixed by "www"
- Email addresses: the
domain name follows the '@' symbol in the email address
Top level domains come in two
types:
- Generic top level domains
(gTLDs). These include .net, .com, .org, .biz, .info and
.name. The policy for these names – who is eligible for a
name, and what names are allowed – is set by the
international policy authority, ICANN.
- Country Code top level
domains (ccTLDs). These include .au for Australia, .uk
for the United Kingdom, .nz for New Zealand, .us for the
USA, etc. The policy for these names – who is eligible for a
name, and what names are allowed – is set by a domain name
authority in each country.
All domain names, regardless of
whether they come under a gTLD or a ccTLD, have equal
visibility on the internet. So "yourcompany.com.au" is equally
visible as "yourcompany.com".
Which extension do I
need?
| Name |
Primary Use |
Definition |
|
.com |
Commercial |
Most widely used extension
in the world. Most businesses prefer a .com domain
because it is a highly recognized symbol for having a
business presence on the Internet. |
|
.net |
Network |
It is most commonly used by
Internet Service Providers, Hosting companies and other
businesses that are directly involved in the
infrastructure of the Internet. |
|
.org |
Organization |
Primarily used by non-profit
groups or trade associations. |
|
.biz |
Business |
Used for small business
websites. |
|
.info |
Resource |
Credible resource websites. |
|
.name |
Personal |
The only domain extension
specifically designed for personal use. It is
commonly used for easy to remember email addresses and
personal websites that display photos or personal
information about an individual. |
|
.tv |
Multimedia |
Used for rich
content/multimedia websites. It is also commonly
used by the entertainment or media industry. |
|
..ws |
Website |
Originally designated as the
country code for Western Samoa, but is now commonly used
as an acronym for "Websites." It is unrestricted
and may be registered by anyone, from any country. |
|
