Domain Name
The human-readable web address used to access a website, like example.com.
Definition
A domain name is the human-readable address that identifies a website on the internet — the text you type into a browser's address bar instead of the numeric IP address that computers use. Domain names are composed of a second-level domain (the unique name, like "google") and a top-level domain (the extension, like ".com").
Domain names are registered through accredited registrars and must be renewed periodically. The Domain Name System (DNS) translates human-readable domain names into the IP addresses that computers use to locate and connect to web servers.
Why It Matters
A domain name is often the first touchpoint between a business and its audience. A memorable, professional domain builds credibility and makes the business easier to find, share, and remember. Premium domain names can command significant value as business assets.
For marketing and SEO, domain names influence brand perception and can impact search rankings. Exact-match domains, branded domains, and domain authority all play roles in digital marketing strategy.
Examples in Practice
A startup acquires a premium one-word .com domain for $50,000, recognizing that the short, memorable name will save millions in brand-building costs over the company's lifetime.
A local business registers both their business name .com and the .com with their city name, ensuring customers can find them regardless of which version they search.
A company discovers their domain registration lapsed and was purchased by a domain squatter, forcing them to negotiate a buyback at twenty times the original registration cost.