What is a Domain name?

A domain is the human-readable address for a website on the Internet, such as www.google.com. It acts as a user-friendly alias for a complex numerical IP address (142.251.221.100), making it easier for people to access websites by typing a memorable name into a browser.

 

When you type a domain name, the Domain Name System (DNS) converts it into the correct IP address to find the website's hosting server.

Structure of a Domain Name

A typical domain name has three main parts:

 1. Subdomain (www)
 2. Second-Level Domain (google)
 3. Top-Level Domain (.com)

 

Together, these form the Fully Qualified Domain Name (FQDN), such as    www.google.com.

Types of Domain Names

1.    Top-Level Domain (TLD)

The TLD is the last part of a domain name (the portion after the dot “.”). It represents the highest level in the domain name hierarchy and is managed by ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers).

 Examples:

.com, .org, .net, .info, .biz, .edu, .gov, List Of TLD

Common Uses:

 .com → Commercial websites (businesses, companies)

 .org → Organizations, NGOs

 .net → Network services, ISPs

 .edu → Educational institutions

 .gov → Government websites
 

2.    Country Code Top-Level Domain (ccTLD)

These are two-letter TLDs assigned to specific countries or territories. They often indicate a website’s country of origin or target audience.

 Examples:

.in        India                           [www.nic.in]

.uk      United Kingdom       [www.bbc.co.uk]

.jp       Japan                          [www.toyota.jp]

.au       Australia                    [www.abc.net.au]

.ca       Canada                       [www.canada.ca]

3.    Generic Top-Level Domain (gTLD)

These are general-purpose TLDs not tied to any specific country. They are often used by organizations, businesses, or individuals.

Example:

.com, .org, .net, .info, .biz, .online, .store, .tech, .xyz

Example Usage:

 .store → eCommerce sites

 .tech → Technology websites

 .xyz → Modern, creative domains

4.    Sponsored Top-Level Domain (sTLD)

These are special TLDs sponsored by a specific organization or community. They have rules or restrictions on who can register them.

 Examples:

.gov     Government                                      [www.usa.gov/ www.india.gov.in ]

.edu     Educational institutions                  [www.harvard.edu ]

.mil     Military organizations                     [www.army.mil ]

.int      International organizations             [NATO.int ] 

5.    Second-Level Domain (SLD) 

The Second-Level Domain appears just before the TLD and usually represents the organization or brand name

 Example:

In google.com

 google = second-level domain

 .com = top-level domain

6.    Subdomain

A subdomain is an extension of your main domain used to organize website content. It appears before the second-level domain.

 Example:

mail.google.com       mail      Gmail service        

support.microsoft.com  support   Help center

blog.solutionhaina.com  blog    Personal blog

 

How it works:

When you type a domain into your browser, the DNS system translates that domain name into the corresponding IP address of the website's hosting server.

How DNS Works (Step-by-Step)

When you type www.google.com in your web browser, here’s what happens:

 

Step-1: User enters a domain name :- You type a domain name in your browser (like www.google.com). 

Step-2: Browser cache check: - Your browser first checks its local cache  if you’ve visited this site recently, it may already know the IP address.

Step-3: OS cache check:- If not in the browser, the request goes to your computer’s DNS cache (Operating System cache).

Step-4: Query sent to Recursive DNS Resolver:- If not found locally, the request is sent to a DNS Resolver (usually provided by your ISP or a public DNS like Google DNS 8.8.8.8 or Cloudflare 1.1.1.1).

Step-5: Root DNS Server:- If the resolver doesn’t know the IP, it contacts a Root DNS Server. There are 13 main root servers worldwide. The root server doesn’t know the final answer but tells where to find the next step, the TLD Server.

Step-6: TLD (Top-Level Domain) Server:- The resolver asks the TLD server (for .com, .in, etc.).

 It replies: “Ask the Authoritative DNS Server for google.com.”

Step-7: Authoritative DNS Server:- This server stores the actual IP address of the domain.

 It responds:

“The IP address of www.google.com is 142.250.183.206.”

Step-8: IP Returned to Browser: - The resolver sends the IP back to your computer and stores it in cache for faster future use.

Step-9: Browser connects to web server: - Now your browser uses that IP to connect to Google’s web server and load the webpage

Domain Registration:

To own a domain, it must be registered through a domain registrar and renewed periodically to maintain ownership.

Popular Domain Registrars:

●       GoDaddy

●       Namecheap

●       Google Domains

●       Hostinger

●       Bluehost

●       BigRock

●       registry.gov.in (for Indian government domain Registror).

A domain name is the foundation of every website’s online identity. It provides a simple, memorable way for users to access websites instead of using complex IP addresses. Understanding how domain names and the DNS system work helps you appreciate the technology that connects users to millions of websites every second.

Choosing the right domain name and extension (TLD) is essential for building trust, improving visibility, and defining your brand online. Whether you’re running a personal blog, a business, or an organization, your domain name is your digital address, the first step toward establishing a strong online presence.