What Is A Domain Name?

A domain name is a Web address. The domain name is mapped to an IP address (which represents a physical point on the Internet). Thus, a domain name locates an organization or other entity on the Internet. When someone types a domain name into a Web browser, the requested Web page will open. For example, the domain name www.yourpersonaldomain.com locates an Internet address for "yourpersonaldomain.com."

A domain name consists of a top-level and a second-level domain. The "com" part of the domain name reflects the purpose of the organization or entity and is called the top-level domain (TLD) name. The part of the domain name located to the left of the dot (" . ") — "yourpersonaldomain," in this case — is called the second-level domain (SLD) name. The second-level domain name—being the "readable" part of the address—thus refers to the organization or entity behind the Internet address. Second-level domain names must be unique on the Internet and registered with an Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN)-accredited registrar.