Companies or individuals who have a website typically associate the site with a domain. A domain is essential for enabling users to access the website easily. While an organization can have a website without a domain name, it is not the most efficient way to maintain a web presence.

This article examines the reasons you need a domain and how to obtain one using a reputable domain registrar. We will discuss the various types of domains and why you might want to choose a specific one for your website. We’ll finish up with a list of some of the best domain registrars you should consider for your website.

What Is a Domain?

A domain is the unique name that identifies a website on the Internet. A domain name can be seen as an alias that represents the website’s underlying IP address. An IP address, such as 123.47.89.23, is harder to remember and less intuitive than a well-chosen domain name. You obtain a domain from a domain registrar.

Parts of a domain name

A domain is comprised of three parts. The domain name www.mybusiness.com consists of three distinct sections, separated by periods or dots.

  • The optional subdomain in this case is www.
  • The second-level domain is your custom name; in this case, it is mybusiness.
  • The top-level domain, in this case, is .com.

Since the subdomain is optional, you could search for this site by typing www.mybusiness.com or simply mybusiness.com in your web browser.

Why Do I Need a Domain?

You need a domain for several reasons.

  • A domain provides a professional and controlled online identity. Owning a domain gives businesses, individuals, and organizations multiple advantages over competitors without a domain name.
  • Custom domains, such as mybusiness.com, are more professional-looking than mybusiness.domainprovider.com, which can make a better first impression on potential visitors.
  • Custom email addresses give you more legitimacy. For example, users are more likely to trust [email protected] than [email protected].
  • A domain allows you to own your brand name. Once it is registered, it cannot be used by any other service or company.
  • A domain gives you complete control over your digital identity, including where the address points to and how your brand appears online for improved visibility and increased traffic.
  • Search engines prioritize trusted and branded domains in their search results.
  • A domain makes it easier to find your website with a searchable and straightforward digital address.

Types of domains

Several types of domains are used for different purposes on the Internet. You should understand the differences so you can make an informed selection with your domain registration.

Top-Level Domains (TLD)

The TLD is the last part of a domain name, following the last dot. The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) manages generic top-level domains.

The following are examples of the most common generic TLDs and the types of websites they represent.

  • .com – Commercial sites
  • .org – Nonprofit organizations
  • .edu – Educational institutions
  • .gov – U.S. government agencies
  • .int – International organizations
  • .net – Network services

Country code top-level domains

Specific countries or territories may have an assigned two-letter TLD, as in the following examples. They are typically used for local businesses or audiences in the designated region.

  • .ca – Canada
  • .de – Germany
  • .in – India
  • .uk – United Kingdom
  • .au – Australia
  • .jp – Japan

Sponsored top-level domains

These top-level domains are managed privately by specific industries or communities. Organizations desiring this type of domain will typically have to undergo an eligibility verification process.

  • .jobs – Human resource management
  • .edu – Accredited educational institutions
  • .museum – Museums

New generic top-level domains

New generic TLDs are being introduced to support company branding, industry-specific, or creative domain naming. Examples include:

  • .tech
  • .online
  • .store
  • .design
  • .app

Second-level domains (SLD)

The SLD is placed directly before the TLD and is typically selected by the domain owner. The SLD is the customizable portion of the domain, and often contains a company name or description of the services offered by the website. Creative use of the SLD enables organizations to differentiate themselves from other providers.

For example, www.thebestusedguitars.com provides information that can help drive traffic from prospective customers.

Subdomains

A subdomain is a prefix to a domain that can be useful for organizing content or dividing information. Subdomains are often used to designate separate areas of a site or services, for example:

  • support.mybusiness.com
  • blog.mywebsite.com
  • info.myservices.org

Internationalized domain names

Domain names may include characters from alternative languages, such as Arabic, Chinese, or Cyrillic, to increase their appeal to local users.

Other Uses for Domains

While domains are typically used for websites, they can also be utilized for a variety of other purposes, as illustrated in the following examples.

  • Professional email addresses, such as [email protected], can enhance credibility and brand recognition.
  • Redirecting and URL forwarding enable you to direct a domain to another website or social media profile, promoting your brand name. For example, yourstore.com may link to your account on eBay, Etsy, or another online marketplace.
  • Companies can create landing pages or forms, like event registration, using a domain to support marketing efforts without a fully operational website.
  • Organizations can create subdomains for internal and external tools, such as support.mybusiness.com or portal.mybusiness.com.
  • Domain-based authentication, utilizing technologies such as DMARC or SPF, supports secure email transmission and identity verification, protecting a company’s reputation.

Key Features of Domain Name Registrars

Organizations purchase domains through domain name registrars. Customers should look for the following key features when selecting their domain name registrar.

  • The company should handle the domain search and registration to help you locate and secure a domain that fits your requirements.
  • Domain name server (DNS) management is necessary to connect the domain to the Internet and email services.
  • The registrar should offer WHOIS privacy protection to secure your personal information.
  • Most popular domain registrars offer auto-renewal to ensure continuity.
  • The company should ensure domain locking to prevent unauthorized domain transfers.
  • Subdomain support is essential if the customer wants to direct users to other services they provide.
  • Customer support is vital, and customers should look for registrars that offer 24/7 phone or live chat support.
  • The registrar may offer web hosting and email integration for additional convenience when setting up a site.
  • The company should provide transparent pricing with no hidden fees. Some registrars may offer a free plan or special first-year pricing for new customers.

Five of the Best Domain Registrars

The following domain registrars can help you obtain a domain name that aligns with your objectives.

GoDaddy

GoDaddy is one of the most popular registrars globally with a large customer base. The company offers a wide variety of domain extensions, multiple pricing plans, and features a user-friendly interface. All purchased domains include free domain protection for life, and the company provides excellent customer support to help users quickly create an ecommerce site. GoDaddy offers a free plan that allows users to get started with no commitment.

Squarespace

Squarespace offers a wide variety of extra services, including email forwarding to up to 100 addresses, free WHOIS privacy, and free, updated SSL certificates for enhanced security. Domains are protected by two-factor authentication and premium DNS services to ensure the reliability and availability of your website. All domains registered through Google Domains were migrated to Squarespace in July 2024.

Hostgator

Hostgator offers users special first-year pricing on purchased domains. The company’s features include domain locking and auto-renewal to ensure continuity. They can obtain WHOIS privacy for a small fee and provide 24/7 support via phone, chat, and email. Hostgator’s additional services include email forwarding, DNS management, and an intuitive dashboard for managing your domain.

Wix

Wix lets users give their website a professional look with a custom domain name. They offer a free custom domain for a year when users purchase a premium plan. After domain registration, Wix has multiple tools to help customers build a compelling site, including premade templates and an AI website builder. The provider features easy domain registration, security with SSL certificates, no hidden fees, and 24/7 customer support.

DynaDot

DynaDot offers users competitive domain prices, expert tools, and free privacy protection. Customers can search from over 500 TLDs to find their perfect domain names. The company supports over eight million domains and offers a selection of new, premium, and expiring domains. DynaDot provides customers with a powerful control panel for domain management and protects your site with enterprise-grade domain and account security.

Conclusion

Organizations need to collaborate with domain name registrars to offer an intuitive user interface for accessing their websites. Domain owners should choose names carefully to provide users with some information by simply reading the name. Most companies do not want to go through the challenges of attracting customers to a new domain name.

Once you have completed domain registration, you can explore the web hosting options for your site. In some cases, you may be able to work with a domain registrar that also offers shared hosting services. This type of hosting may work for small businesses or personal websites.

Companies that require more secure solutions should consider a cloud and dedicated web hosting provider like Atlantic.Net. The company offers high-performance cloud and dedicated servers capable of handling the most high-traffic websites. The servers provide the additional security many businesses require in today’s evolving cyberthreat landscape.