Domain Basics

Everything you need to know about domain names, from what they are to how to register your first one.

For: Newcomers to domain names and the web

1

What Is a Domain Name? Complete Beginner's Guide

Learn what a domain name is, how it works, and why every website needs one. A plain-English guide for complete beginners.

7 min read
2

What Is a TLD? Understanding Top-Level Domains

Discover what a top-level domain (TLD) is, the difference between gTLD, ccTLD, and sTLD, and how to pick the right one for your site.

6 min read
3

Domain Name vs URL vs Website: Key Differences

Confused by domain names, URLs, and websites? Learn the clear differences between each concept with real-world examples and analogies.

6 min read
4

How DNS Works: The Internet's Phone Book

Learn how the Domain Name System (DNS) translates domain names into IP addresses in milliseconds. A step-by-step guide for beginners.

6 min read
5

Types of TLDs: gTLD, ccTLD, and sTLD Explained

A complete guide to every type of top-level domain — gTLD, ccTLD, sTLD, new gTLD, and IDN TLD — with real examples and how to choose.

4 min read
6

How to Choose Your First Domain Name

Practical tips for choosing a domain name you will be proud of for years. Covers length, keywords, TLD selection, and common beginner mistakes.

4 min read
7

How to Register a Domain Name: Step-by-Step

A complete step-by-step guide to registering your first domain name, from choosing a registrar to completing checkout and configuring DNS.

6 min read
8

Anatomy of a Domain: Subdomain, SLD, and TLD

Break down every part of a domain name — root, TLD, SLD, and subdomain — with clear diagrams and real-world examples for beginners.

6 min read
9

Free vs Paid Domain Names: What You Need to Know

Is a free domain name worth it? Compare free vs paid domains — pros, cons, hidden costs, and when each option makes sense for your project.

7 min read
10

10 Common Domain Name Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid these 10 costly domain name mistakes — from hyphens and trademark issues to forgetting to renew. Learn what experienced domain owners know.

8 min read
11

Domain Registration Terms Every Owner Should Know

Master the key domain registration terms: registrar, registrant, registry, ICANN, EPP code, grace period, and 20+ more essential concepts explained.

8 min read
12

What Happens When a Domain Expires?

Learn the full domain expiration lifecycle — grace period, redemption period, deletion, and how to recover an expired domain before it's too late.

6 min read
13

Numbers and Hyphens in Domain Names

Should you use numbers or hyphens in your domain name? Explore the branding, SEO, and memorability tradeoffs to make a confident choice for your website.

8 min read
14

Internationalized Domain Names (IDNs) Explained

Understand internationalized domain names (IDNs), Punycode encoding, Unicode TLDs, and what to consider before registering a non-ASCII domain for your website.

8 min read
15

Domain Names and Trademarks: What You Must Know

Learn how trademark law applies to domain names, how the UDRP dispute process works, what cybersquatting means legally, and how to protect your brand online.

11 min read