If you’re embarking on an adventure of getting a website, you’ll quickly encounter two separate pieces: a domain name and web hosting. They work together but are purchased and managed separately.
Definition: A domain name is the human‑readable address of a website (for example, example.com). It is part of a URL, which may also include the protocol (https), subdomain (www), path, and query string. Domains map to IP addresses through the Domain Name System (DNS).
Key takeaways
- A domain is the memorable name (example.com); a URL can include protocol, subdomain, path, and more.
- DNS translates your domain to an IP address (IPv4 or IPv6) that computers use.
- Nameservers live at a DNS provider (registrar, hosting company, or third‑party) and hold your DNS records.
- Common DNS records: A/AAAA, CNAME, MX, TXT, and NS.
- HTTPS typically requires proving control of your domain to get a TLS certificate.
What are domain names?
At their most basic, when people talk about domain names, they mean the human‑readable website address—like example.com—that you type into your browser bar. You’ve become familiar with many examples in everyday life. Whenever you say things like Google.com or Facebook.com, you are saying a domain’s name.
What does domain mean? Domain names are memorable identifiers for websites. They are part of a full URL. A URL may include:
- Protocol: https://
- Subdomain: www.
- Domain: example.com (second‑level domain + top‑level domain)
- Path and query: /about?lang=en
Why are domain names used?
Computers speak with IP addresses, not names. An IP address is a numeric label for a server, like 93.184.216.34 (IPv4, used by example.org) or 2606:2800:220:1:248:1893:25c8:1946 (IPv6). These are precise but hard to remember.
Think of it like this: GPS coordinates are exact, but you share a street address with friends. Similarly, your hosting server’s IP is like coordinates, and your domain is the easy‑to‑remember address you give people.
The elements of a domain name
A domain name has two main parts:
- Second‑level domain (SLD): The unique name you choose (e.g., google in google.com). This is often your brand or identity.
- Top‑level domain (TLD): The extension after the dot. Classic TLDs include .com, .net, and .org. Today you’ll also see:
- New gTLDs: .app, .dev, .shop, .blog
- ccTLDs (country‑code): .us, .uk, .de, .ca
- Restricted/sponsored: .gov, .edu (limited eligibility)
For example, in Google.com, “Google” is the second‑level domain and “.com” is the top‑level domain.
How do domain names work
Here’s the practical, modern flow of what happens when you visit a website:
- You enter a URL in your browser. The browser needs the site’s IP address to connect.
- Check caches: Your device and your network’s recursive resolver check local and shared caches. If the answer is found and fresh, it’s used immediately.
- DNS lookups: If not cached, the recursive resolver queries the DNS hierarchy—root, then the TLD nameservers (e.g., for .com), and finally the authoritative nameserver for your domain.
- Authoritative answer: The authoritative nameserver at your DNS provider returns DNS records like A (IPv4) or AAAA (IPv6). Often these records point to a CDN first, which then routes traffic to your origin hosting server.
- Connect and load: The browser connects to the returned IP, negotiates HTTPS if enabled, and loads your site.
Important terminology: DNS stands for Domain Name System (not “domain name server”). Your domain is configured with nameservers that point to a DNS provider—this could be your registrar, your hosting company, or a third‑party DNS service. DNS is the system that translates your domain to an IP address.
Common DNS records you’ll encounter
- A / AAAA: Point a name to an IPv4/IPv6 address.
- CNAME: Make one name an alias of another name.
- MX: Route email for your domain to mail servers.
- TXT: Store text data (often for verification, SPF, DKIM, DMARC).
- NS: Specify the authoritative nameservers for a zone.
HTTPS and domain control
To enable HTTPS, you’ll obtain a TLS certificate (often via services like Let’s Encrypt) that verifies you control the domain. Verification typically happens through a brief DNS or HTTP challenge before the certificate is issued.
Do I need a domain name to have a website?
Technically, you can host content without registering a domain. In practice, most shared hosting and many tools require a domain name, and IP‑only access often won’t reach your specific site because hosts use the domain (via the Host header and SNI for TLS) to route traffic. Even for private builds, many services expect a full URL during setup.
Choosing a domain can be part of the fun. Pick a classic TLD like .com or .net, go with a descriptive new gTLD like .shop or .blog, use a ccTLD like .us or .uk, or—if eligible—an industry‑specific or restricted option. The right choice depends on your brand and audience.
Domain vs URL vs website vs hosting
- Domain name: Human‑readable address (example.com).
- URL: The full locator (e.g., https://www.example.com/about).
- Website: The content and code users see and interact with.
- Hosting: The server resources where your website files live.
Who runs what?
ICANN coordinates the global DNS. Registries manage each TLD (.com, .org, .shop, etc.). Registrars are the companies where you register domains. Registrants are domain owners—you.
FAQs
What’s the difference between a domain name and a URL?
A domain (example.com) is part of a URL. A URL may also include protocol (https), subdomain (www), path, and parameters.
What are nameservers?
Nameservers are the DNS servers that answer authoritative queries for your domain’s records (A/AAAA, CNAME, MX, etc.).
What’s the difference between A, AAAA, CNAME, MX, and TXT records?
A/AAAA map names to IPs, CNAME creates an alias, MX directs email, and TXT stores verification or email‑auth data.
Can I reach my site by IP address only?
Usually no. Shared hosts and HTTPS routing rely on your domain name to deliver the correct site.
Do I need a domain for HTTPS?
Yes. TLS certificates require proving control of a domain, typically via DNS or HTTP challenges.
What’s an example of IPv4 and IPv6?
IPv4: 93.184.216.34. IPv6: 2606:2800:220:1:248:1893:25c8:1946.
Hopefully, now that you understand the difference between website hosting and website addresses, you have a better understanding of how they work together to build the sites we use every day.
