Domain name – An Introduction!

A domain name is a name that identifies one or more IP address. These are mainly used in URLs to identify particular web page. Domain names are a key component to a web presence.

Basically, domain names convert the numerical format that computers use to identify a website into a text based name that is easy for human users to understand and recall.

The domain registration market is now very competitive with many thousands of services operating around the world.

Domain names now have many forms known as Top Level Domain Types or TLD's. The best known TLD remains .com but regional names are a rapidly growing area such as .co.uk's

Discount Domains is a leading UK domain name registration service and offers web hosting and web design services as well as domains.

The various chief type of domain name includes:

.gov - Government agencies

.edu - Educational institutions

.org - Organizations (nonprofit)

.mil - Military

.com - commercial business

.net - Network organizations

.ca - Canada

.th – Thailand

.in- Indian

.info- Information

.COM: -  The term is used for commercial purpose. Domain names with the .com extension are by far the most popular, and can be purchased by any individual or business. This is mainly used form personal as well as professional purpose

.NET: - The term is used for network purpose, hence, it is referred .network. This domain extension was originally designed for technical related websites. However, domains using this extension can be registered by anyone.

.ORG: -  This is related to organization. Hence, it is referred as. organization. This is originally designated for non-profit firms and any other organizations that did not fit under the .com or .net extension; any individual or business may now register a .org domain name.

Domain name can also be assigned using country extensions. Each country has its own domain extension, for example for India it is “in”, for Canada it is “ca”, for Japan it is “.jp” etc..

In addition to this, there are other domain names, that has been designed for specific use only and they are not country specific. These are only accompained by certain restrictions.

Despite, the above-mentioned categories of domain names, only the .com, .net and .org are typically the most visible and talked-about extensions. These are not the only ones available for use. From a functional perspective, country-level domains work just as well as any TLDs, and alternative extensions work just as well. Therefore, don’t necessarily settle for a mediocre TLD when you can get a better one using a different extension.

The selection of domain names is a major consideration when doing business online, and it is often one of the first issues to be addressed. While a good domain name won't guarantee success, it can have a positive (or negative) impact on almost every aspect of online business.