What is a domain name?
One of the core steps for getting your website and online presence up and running is setting up your domain name. Think of a domain as your website's home address on the internet. The domain name is a unique web address that helps people find your website online.
The two main pieces of the domain you can choose are the domain name or second-level domain (like “squarespace” in squarespace.com) and the extension or top-level domain (TLD), like .com, .org, or .net. Web pages on your site live under subdomains, like “domains” in domains.squarespace.com.
Read on for everything you need to know about what makes up a domain name, how to secure yours, and how to manage yours once you have it.
Picking a domain name
Picking the right domain name might feel like a big task, but it’s simple if you stick to a few best practices.
Make it easy to remember.
Keep it related to your website’s purpose.
Try to keep it short and simple.
Avoid using hyphens or hard-to-spell words.
Avoid names that are trendy or humorous that you might not want long-term.
For example, if you're making a site about your pet dog, Cappy, cappycrush.xyz could work. A name that’s related to you or your site’s purpose also makes your website easier to find in search engines.
How does domain registration work?
Once you’ve picked your domain name, check to make sure it’s available using a domain search tool. If a domain name is like an address, think of registering your domain like leasing a home at that address. You don’t actually own the domain, you’re claiming it for a set period.
Domain name registration usually costs around $12-20 per year. Domains that are in higher demand can be more expensive, and costs might vary between domain providers.
If someone has the domain you want, you can reach out to buy it from them, but that can get expensive. Some people hold on to desirable domain names with the intention of selling them for a high price, known as domain squatting or domain flipping.