Whilst you may not be currently aware, one of the most important processes associated with creating a website will likely be conducted a long time prior to the initial coding. The formulation of a domain name is crucial to being successful, as a firm, for many years to come; this is because it will become synonymous with your business.

Having amassed years worth of experience in the art of top-tier web hosting, it will come as no surprise to you that here at catalyst2, we do not only have fantastic domain prices – our knowledge of this subject is also extensive. This is something which we are extremely keen to put to good use. Below, you will find an all-encompassing guide to domain names; by reading the content, you will be able to expand your understanding of the way in which they work, as well as pick up some tips on formulating a first-class domain name.

What Is A Domain?

Anyone that has taken the step to open up a line of communication with a dedicated website builder will have no-doubt encountered the question ‘what is your domain name?’. On the surface, domain names are extremely simple – in essence, they are what will be used by individuals that would like to find your website via the URL browser.

Due to the number of websites which are currently available on the Internet, it can be incredibly difficult to find a generic top level domain name that is available within your industry, particularly if you are a newcomer to the world of business. It is for this reason that it is advisable, when registering for your domain, to ensure that it is something which is synonymous with your brand. For example, although you may not be able to acquire the full name of your company, it may be possible to use an acronym.

One of the most important things which you need to take into consideration when looking into domain names is the fact that, subsequent to your registration, you will not be the sole owner of it. By this, we mean that you will be renting it – typically, this is on a yearly basis. Were you to fault on payments for a prolonged period of time, it would then be open to other people.

How Do They Operate?

There are countless stages involved in the way in which a domain works. The initial step, and arguably the most simple, is the client entering the particular domain name into their web browser. This immediately triggers an action which connects the browser to the DNS, or Domain Name System. The DNS will then scour through its not-inconsiderable database, searching for that particular domain name.

Due to the global nature of the DNS, there are instances whereby the website will not be acquired at first try. It is in these instances that a more in-depth search gets conducted, with the various servers around the world connecting with one another. Once the IP address is sourced, the DNS server will then be able to provide the coordinates to the initial searcher’s device, thus connecting them to the webpage in question. If the initial DNS server locates the domain name, the connection will appear to be almost-instantaneous; if, however, the search is broadened, you can expect the process to take slightly longer.

Breaking Down The Types Of Domains

Contrary to popular belief, there is not one standard type of domain name which is suitable for usage by all website owners. There are various versions, all of which are imbued with properties which make them more apt for particular businesses and corporations. As the name may suggest, the most popular and prestigious of these are Top-Level Domains. Also known by the acronym TLD, these can be identified by the three character abbreviations found at the end of the web address. A prime example of this is ‘edu’, which stands for education – this easily demonstrates that you are visiting a webpage that is representing a school or university. Another popular acronym which demonstrates a TLD is ‘org’; if you were previously unaware, this is in regards to non-profit organisations, such as charities.

Closely linked to TLDs are ccTLDs – also known as Country Code Top-Level Domains, these are used as a way in which to easily distinguish which country the website is originating from. As you may have guessed, for the United Kingdom the abbreviation that has been selected is ‘uk’. This is an important type of domain to take note of, mainly due to the fact that it makes establishing a geographical location extremely easy.

Although many individuals do not give particular notices to the ‘www’ element of a web address, the fact of the matter is that this is arguably the most important aspect of a URL. This is officially designated as a third-level domain, and can be colloquially alluded to as a
subdomain. Most firms will find that they do not need to deviate away from this model – a notable exception are email servers, which may instead start with ‘mail’ at the beginning of their web address.

What To Consider For Your Domain Name?

SEO, stands for Search Engine Optimisation – this is in reference to the way in which firms can be found on such platforms as Google and Bing. In times gone past, an EMD, or exact match domain, was the only way in which to truly achieve accessibility, it is now possible to use a range of keywords, related to your services, in order to be found by customers. This is not only related to the content that you have on your website, but also your URL – when registering, it is advisable to make sure that you have enough keywords to gain prominence within your industry, as this will help to stand apart from competitors.

The length of your domain is also extremely important, as one which is too elaborate will most likely be forgotten by your audience. Unfortunately, many of the shortest URLs have been taken for many years; however, this is not to say that it is impossible to source one which is not only applicable to your firm, but also the optimal number of characters. Studies have indicated the ideal length of a domain should not exceed fourteen characters; this includes not only the second-level domain, but also the TLD. Whilst a cheap domain that is also concise in its formulation may not be particularly easy to find, the results that you will be able to enjoy will certainly make the time spent researching worthwhile.

For some people, the creation of a domain name which not only registers favourably with the target audience, but can also be found easily via any of the major search engines, can be extremely difficult. If you are not familiar with this type of work, there is nothing wrong with reaching out for assistance from professional service providers. For example, there are a plethora of agencies which pride themselves in the generation of domains – the way in which they work revolves around the provision of a single keyword. From this, they will observe the various domains which are currently in play, and subsequently supply you with a viable option.

Need Some Assistance?

Once you have scoured through the information published above, we believe that you will subsequently have a solid understanding of the basics regarding domain names. If you are planning on registering in the near future, you may also have benefited from the guidance on what to look for when creating a strong domain name.

When it comes to providers of some of the cheapest domain name registration available in the UK, it is hard to look past catalyst2 as the most recognised candidate. For those of you that did not already know, we offer the finest dedicated servers in the country; the hosting options that we can provide are also not only reasonably priced, but notoriously efficient. We also have an extensive knowledge of all things related to top-level domains. To us, it does not matter if you need a web hosting plan that is tailored to your needs, or simply require help from a renowned domain name registrar. We strive to cater to our client’s requirements, whatever they may be.

Many people come to us looking to take advantage of our fantastic web hosting services in the UK; however, they are amazed to find that we are also home to a team of customer service specialists whose extensive knowledge of this industry cannot be rivalled. If you have questions in regards to the transferring of your domains, they will be able to answer them in a manner which is both informative and helpful. Should your query be relatively elaborate, it may be easier to put it into writing – in this eventuality, we suggest sending us an email directly at sales@catalyst2.com . Our representatives can also be reached over the phone on +44 131 516 4975.