What is a domain?
A domain name is the unique identifier people type into their browser to visit a website – essentially, what comes after the ‘www.’. For example, in “www.mystore.com,” mystore.com is the domain name.
Domains are important for businesses because they help build credibility, improve your brand’s reputation, and make it easier for people to find your website in search engines. A great domain name can also strengthen your marketing efforts and even improve your site’s SEO (search engine optimisation). By including relevant keywords in your domain, you can make your website more visible, attract more organic traffic, and help potential customers find your services faster—without relying solely on ads.

How do domain names work?
Domain names work by translating the typed domain name into a website’s IP address and then forwarding the user to that website. It’s a way of connecting friendly typable names to the detailed IP addresses that correspond to each site, e.g. instead of having to remember ‘192.168.1.1’ you can just type ‘ebay.com’ to easily access a website. These names make your website more memorable and easier to access. This results in a smooth process that enables users to reach your website without having to memorise numerical addresses.
How to choose a good domain name?
A strong domain name is key to running a succesful business online. A great domain name should be:
- Professional
- Relevant
- Memorable
- Optimised with relevant keywords
- Easy to share
This is an example of an effective domain name “www.freshly.com“. It’s good for a multitude of reasons; simple and memorable, relevant, brandable and SEO-friendly. It is also scalable- if the company wanted to explore different food or business ventures- the name would still work. This is an example of a poor domain name “www.best-pipes-4-u-online-shop.com”. It is too long, unprofessional, contains hyphens, overloaded with keywords, not brandable and has an unclear target audience.
Here are some pros of an SEO-friendly domain; improved search engine rankings, higher click-through rates, better user experience and increased credibility.
On the other hand, here are the cons of poor domain writing; lack of professionalism, hard to remember, poor user experience and weak branding. An effective domain is key to success when wanting to increase exposure and success in your website.

Where to buy a domain?
There are many ways to obtain a domain name – however the 3 most reputable registrars are;
- affixspace.com – UK Based, high-performance servers, competitive pricing
- hostinger.com – International hosting company, has many options for plans
- squarespace.com – Recently acquired Google Domains, has a website builder
Ensure that you are using a registrar that offers transparency in pricing and fees included. If you plan to keep this domain – you will also need to consider long-term registration. A final consideration would be additional features like privacy protection which can shield your personal information. Ensure you understand what plan is most suitable for you when hosting your domain – and then find the appropriate registrar accordingly.
What is the difference between a domain name and a URL?
The domain name is what the user types into the search engine. Such as google.com. It is a version of the identifier which is readable to us users. It is essentially the name of your website. To contrast, a URL (Uniform Resource Loader) is the complete web address that directs uses to a specific page within the website. It includes the domain, protocol, subdirectories and the specific file path. An example could be “https://www.google.com/blog/what-is-a-domain”. This URL corresponds to Google’s domain but directs to a specific article page within the site.
FAQs About Domain Names
Do I need a domain for a website?
Yes, if you want people to find your site online, you’ll need to register a domain name.
Is a domain name free?
Most domains aren’t free, but some platforms, like Wix, offer free domains (usually with branding or limitations).
Who actually owns a domain name?
The person or business who registers it through an accredited registrar owns the domain.
Can someone see who owns a domain?
Yes, using the WHOIS database, people can access details about a domain’s owner and expiry date unless privacy protection is enabled.
Can I change my domain name later?
Yes, you can change your domain name, but it requires registering a new domain and redirecting traffic from your old one. Keep in mind that this can affect your SEO and branding, so it’s best to choose your domain carefully from the start.
What’s the difference between a domain name and web hosting?
A domain name is your website’s address, while web hosting is the service that stores your website’s data and makes it accessible online. Think of the domain as the address on a map and hosting as the actual building where your site “lives.” Both are essential for a functional website.
Conclusion
To conclude, a domain name is the name of your site that you would like to be found by in a search engine. If you would like your website to get seen by others and to be reached via a search engine – you will need to buy a domain. It’s important for businesses to have a concise and professional domain name so that they can rank highly and be accessed organically (through SEO). To do this they must register at a registrar – and pay the fee.