Domain Name System (DNS)
A domain name is a unique, human-readable string of characters that identifies a website on the internet. It is used to translate the IP address of a website's server into a more user-friendly and memorable format, making it easier for people to access websites and services online. A domain name is composed of a name and an extension (such as .com, .org, or .net) and can be purchased and registered through a domain registrar. Examples of domain names include google.com, facebook.com, and amazon.com.
DNS (Domain Name System) is a hierarchical naming system that is used to translate human-readable domain names into IP (Internet Protocol) addresses, which are used by computers to communicate with each other over the internet. When a user types a domain name into a web browser, the browser sends a request to a DNS resolver to find the IP address associated with that domain name. The resolver then looks up the domain name in a series of DNS servers until it finds the IP address associated with the domain. This process is called DNS resolution.
DNS consists of a distributed network of servers that work together to provide this name resolution service. The top level of the DNS hierarchy consists of the root servers, which contain information about the top-level domains (TLDs) such as .com, .org, and .net. Below the root servers are the TLD servers, which contain information about the domain names registered in those TLDs. Finally, there are the authoritative name servers, which contain the IP addresses associated with specific domain names. DNS is a critical part of the internet infrastructure, and it is essential for accessing websites and other online services.
There are different types of domain names, including:
- Top-level domains (TLDs): These are the most common type of domain extensions, and they are usually categorized into two main groups, generic TLDs (gTLDs) such as .com, .org, .net, .info, and country-code TLDs (ccTLDs) such as .us, .uk, .au, and .cn.
- Generic top-level domains (gTLDs): These are TLDs that are not country-specific, and include some of the most common extensions such as ".com", ".net", ".org", and ".info".
- Country-code top-level domains (ccTLDs): These are TLDs that are assigned to specific countries or territories, and are generally made up of two letters that represent the country or territory, such as ".us" for the United States, ".uk" for the United Kingdom, or ".cn" for China. In addition to these two main categories, there are also newer gTLDs that have been introduced in recent years, such as ".blog", ".app", and ".shop", as well as sponsored TLDs, which are operated by specific organisations or communities and are restricted to a specific group of users.
- Second-level domains (SLDs): Second-level domains (SLDs) are the part of a domain name that comes immediately to the left of the top-level domain (TLD). In a domain name such as "example.com," "example" is the second-level domain, while ".com" is the top-level domain. SLDs are important because they can provide useful information about the website or organisation that owns the domain. For example, ".edu" is a common top-level domain for educational institutions, so a second-level domain such as "harvard.edu" would indicate that the website is affiliated with Harvard University. Similarly, ".org" is commonly used by non-profit organisations, so a second-level domain such as "redcross.org" would suggest that the website is associated with the American Red Cross. SLDs can also be used to create unique and memorable domain names that are easier for people to remember and type. Many companies choose to register domain names with their company name or a relevant keyword as the second-level domain, such as "amazon.com" or "travelocity.com." It's worth noting that some TLDs allow for second-level domains to be registered by anyone, while others have specific requirements or restrictions. For example, the ".gov" TLD is reserved for use by government organisations in the United States, and only qualified entities can register domains under this TLD.
- Subdomains: These are extensions of the main domain name and are created by adding a prefix to the main domain name. For example, in the domain name "blog.example.com," "blog" is the subdomain. A subdomain is a domain that is part of a larger domain hierarchy, and is typically used to organise and categorise content within a website. Subdomains are created by adding a prefix to the main domain name, separated by a dot, such as "subdomain.example.com". Subdomains can be used to create distinct sections within a website that may have different content or functionality. For example, a blog hosted on a website might have a subdomain like "blog.example.com" to separate the blog content from the main website content. Similarly, an e-commerce website might have a subdomain like "store.example.com" to differentiate the online store from other parts of the website. Here are some examples of subdomains and their uses:
- mail.example.com: used for email services
- support.example.com: used for customer support pages
- forum.example.com: used for online discussion forums
- jobs.example.com: used for job postings and career information
- app.example.com: used for web applications or software services hosted on a website.
- Brandable domains: Brandable domains are domain names that are designed to be unique, memorable, and easily identifiable with a particular brand or company. They typically use made-up words, phrases, or combinations of words that are easy to remember and relate to the brand. Brandable domains are often used by startups, small businesses, and entrepreneurs who want to establish a strong online presence and build a recognisable brand. They are also popular with e-commerce websites, as they can help create a distinctive identity that sets the brand apart from competitors.
- Google.com: a made-up name that has become synonymous with search engines and online information
- Etsy.com: a name that evokes a sense of handmade, unique, and personalized products
- Shopify.com: a name that combines "shop" and "ify" to create a sense of online commerce and business growth
- Zillow.com: a name that combines "pillow" and "zillions" to create a sense of comfort and abundance in real estate
- Uber.com: a name that suggests speed, efficiency, and convenience in transportation services
- CarInsurance.com: a website that provides information and quotes for car insurance
- BuyShoesOnline.com: an online retailer that specialises in selling shoes
- ChocolateCakeRecipes.com: a website that features recipes and tutorials for making chocolate cake
- BestPizzaDelivery.com: a website that helps users find the best pizza delivery options in their area
- CheapFlights.com: a website that helps users find affordable air travel options
Subdomains are often used by businesses and organizations to organize their online presence and make it easier for users to find specific content.
Examples of brandable domains include:
Brandable domains can be expensive to acquire, especially if they are already registered or have a high level of demand. However, they can also be a worthwhile investment for companies that want to build a strong brand and establish a dominant online presence.
5. Exact match domains (EMDs): Exact match domains (EMDs) are domain names that exactly match a keyword or phrase that is relevant to the content of a website. For example, a website about "healthy eating" might have the exact match domain "healthyeating.com".
In the past, EMDs were considered advantageous for search engine optimisation (SEO) because they were seen as a way to increase a website's visibility in search results for the matching keyword. However, search engines like Google have since updated their algorithms to reduce the impact of EMDs on search rankings.
EMDs can still be used effectively in some cases, especially if the content of the website is high-quality and relevant to the matching keyword. However, using an EMD alone is not a guarantee of search engine success, and other factors such as content quality, user experience, and backlinks also play a significant role in SEO.
Here are some examples of EMDs:
While EMDs may still be useful in some cases, it's important to prioritise high-quality content and user experience when building and optimising a website.