When you’re creating your first website, one of the first things you’ll need to know is what is a domain name. But what exactly is it, and why is it important?
A domain name is the web address people type into a web browser to visit your site, like www.yourbusinessname.co.uk. It’s what people see at the top of the screen when they land on your website. Without it, your site would just be a long string of numbers called an IP address not something most people can remember.
Your domain name is in basic terms your business’s name on the internet. It’s part of your online presence and makes your website easier to find, remember, and share.
Having a domain name makes your website easier for people to reach. Without one, you’re stuck using a technical address made up of numbers, which is not ideal.
A good domain name helps you:
Look more professional
Build trust with your visitors
Be found more easily online
Create email addresses that match your website (like hello@yourbusinessname.co.uk)
It’s also something you own, or more accurately, rent, and that gives you more control over your domain network and brand. You can also move your domain to another webserver or hosting provider if needed.
What Does a Domain Name Look Like?
A domain name typically has two main parts:
The name: like
yourbusinessnameThe extension: like
.co.uk,.com, or.org
So in www.yourbusinessname.co.uk, the name is yourbusinessname and the extension is .co.uk.
There are loads of domain extensions available these days (like .design, .online, and .studio), but the most common ones are still .com, .co.uk, and .org.
For UK businesses, .co.uk is a great option, but if your audience is international, you might prefer .com.
How Domain Names Work
Every domain name is linked to a specific IP address. When someone types your domain into their browser, DNS servers (Domain Name System servers) translate that name into numbers and send them to the right webserver to load your web page.
This means that behind the scenes, your domain name connects people to your website address using a system called the internet protocol.
What Does a Domain Name Look Like?
This is about as technical as it gets, put simply A domain name has several parts to it:
Top-level domain (TLD): This is the last part of the name, like
.com,.org, or.co.uk. It’s also called the domain extension.Second-level domain (SLD): This is the part just before the extension usually your business name.
Third-level domain (subdomain): Sometimes used for sections of a website, like
blog.yourbusinessname.co.uk.
So, in www.yourbusinessname.co.uk:
.ukis the country code top-level domain (ccTLD).co.ukis the top-level domainyourbusinessnameis the second-level domainwwwis a third-level domain or subdomain
All together, they form your uniform resource locator (URL) the full website address.
How Do You Get a Domain?
Domains are sold by companies called domain registrars or registries. These are businesses approved by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) or a local authority to manage domain name sales and DNS records.
Popular registrars include:
When you buy a domain, you register it under your name or business. This makes you the domain owner for the length of time you’ve paid for usually 1 to 10 years. You can keep your domain by renewing it regularly.
Be careful to keep your personal information up to date so you don’t accidentally lose your domain when it’s time to renew.
Custom Domains vs Free Subdomains
You might be offered a free domain when using platforms like WordPress.com or Wix but these are usually subdomains, like:
yourbusinessname.wordpress.com
While this might work at the very beginning, it doesn’t look very professional. Using a custom domain (like www.yourbusinessname.co.uk) is better for your brand and gives you full control over your website.
Choosing the Perfect Domain Name
Here are some tips for finding the perfect domain name:
Keep it short and simple
Use your business name or a strong keyword pairing
Avoid hyphens, numbers, or unusual spellings
Make it easy to say and remember
Use a TLD that suits your audience –
.co.ukis great for UK businesses, while.comworks well internationally
🔎 Example: If your business is “Green Leaf Gardening”, you might choose www.greenleafgardening.co.uk or www.greenleafltd.com.
If those are taken, try variations like greenleafgardens.uk or greenleafgardenersltd.co.uk.
Do You Own a Domain Forever?
No, domain names are rented. You usually pay yearly (or for a few years at a time). If you stop paying, someone else can register it.
You can check who owns a domain by using a domain registry tool just search for the domain name and it’ll show the domain owner and registrar (unless privacy settings are on).
🧠 Final Thought
A domain name is how people find you, and it’s one of the first steps in creating your website. Pick something simple, memorable, and tied to your brand. It doesn’t need to be fancy, just functional. To summarise:
A domain name is your web address it helps people find your site online
It’s made up of different levels (like top-level, second-level, and subdomains)
You register it with a domain registrar
Using a custom domain looks more professional than free subdomains
Choose a name that’s short, memorable, and relevant to your brand
Once you’ve got your domain sorted, the next step is understanding where your website actually lives online. That’s where hosting comes in, and we’ll cover that next.