{"id":55164,"date":"2024-04-10T15:46:46","date_gmt":"2024-04-10T07:46:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.crazydomains.com\/learn\/?p=55164"},"modified":"2024-04-10T15:46:46","modified_gmt":"2024-04-10T07:46:46","slug":"what-is-a-domain-name-and-how-does-it-work","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.crazydomains.com.au\/learn\/what-is-a-domain-name-and-how-does-it-work\/","title":{"rendered":"What is a Domain Name, and How Do Domains Work?: A\u00a0Beginner’s Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"

Did you know there are over\u00a0359.8 million<\/a>\u00a0domain name registrations worldwide?<\/p>\n

The most-used top-level domain (TLD) is .com, with\u00a046%<\/a>\u00a0of global websites using it, followed by .org, with a modest 4.5% market share:<\/p>\n

\"\"Source<\/a><\/p>\n

If you are starting out on a website and have recently come across this term but don’t know what it means, this guide is for you.<\/p>\n

We’ll cover everything you need to know about domain names\u2014from what they are to how they work\u2014so that you can make the right choice. Let’s go!<\/p>\n

What is a Domain Name?<\/h2>\n

First things first, a domain name is\u00a0<\/em>a string of text that contains an alphanumeric IP address. This IP address is used by your customers to view your website, email services, etc. on the internet.\u00a0To make it easier for viewers to remember, every IP address is assigned a human-readable label.<\/p>\n

Naturally, this label should be as unique as your website\/product\/service in question.<\/p>\n

Let’s put it another way:<\/p>\n

When a user is looking for your website on the internet, they’ll have to type in a URL, right? This URL that the user types within the internet browser bar is referred to as the domain name of your website.<\/p>\n

But why did domain names come into existence?<\/p>\n

Here’s why:<\/p>\n

The internet comprises a large inter-connected network of computers via cable. Each computer communicates with each other.<\/p>\n

Now, to identify each computer, an IP address is assigned to it.<\/p>\n

Think of it as a series of numbers that look something like this:<\/p>\n

172.217.12.238<\/p>\n

As you can imagine, an IP address like this is difficult to remember for obvious reasons.<\/p>\n

Enter Domain names.<\/p>\n

Every time you wish to browse your favorite website, all you need to do is type the name of the website instead of this long string of numbers.<\/p>\n

This is why, the easier the domain name is to remember, the higher chances of customers visiting it. For example, crazydomains.com.<\/p>\n

What Are the Different Parts of a Domain Name?<\/h2>\n

A domain name comprises of two parts:<\/p>\n