What Are The Parts of a Domain Name?

On the Web, the domain name is that part of the Uniform Resource Locator (URL) that tells a domain name server using the domain name system (DNS) where to forward a request for a Web page. For example, the domain name www.onlinepersonalssites.com locates an IP address for "onlinepersonalssites.com" at Internet point 72.167.46.29. The “www” refers to the host server. The file extension ".com" refers to the purpose of the company (in this example, "commercial"). It is known as the top-level domain name. The "onlinepersonalssites" part of the domain name defines the company and, together with the top-level file extension, is called the second-level domain name. The second-level domain name, what Web users are most used to, can be thought of as the "readable" version of the Internet address.

Further variance and additions can be used but are not required. A third level can be used to identify a particular host server at the Internet address if needed. For example, where "www" is the name of the server that handles Internet requests, a second server might be called "www2. Sub-domain levels can also be used. For example, you could have "www.yahoo.onlinepersonalssites.com” to lead a user to a specific subdivision on your site.

Second-level domain names (Remember: these are the “readable” versions of Internet addresses) must be unique on the Internet and registered with one of the ICANN-accredited registrars for the COM, NET, and ORG top-level domains. A top-level domain name can be geographic, but to register a U. S. geographic domain name or a domain name under a country code, you must see an appropriate registrar.

To allow multiple individuals, businesses, and organizations to have separate Internet identities while sharing the same Internet server more than one domain name can be mapped to the same Internet address.

An even higher level of domain exists than the top-level domain. It is the highest level known as the root domain. If the dot for the root domain were shown in the URL (which it is not) it would be to the right of the top-level domain name. However, the dot is assumed to be present, never shown.

http://smallbusiness-domain.com/resources/parts_of_a_domain_name

Whois: Who Has The Domain Name You Want?

The right domain name is crucial for a successful Web business. As your Web address, you need your domain name to match, as closely as it can, the company name or at least to make considerable sense if it doesn’t. The trick is making sure your customer can recall where to find you on the Web.

Easy enough unless your company name has already been taken. Other companies buy up all of the domain names relevant to what they sell or service. They hoard them to stifle competitors. It makes good sense, but what if you NEED that domain name? How do you go about obtaining a domain name already got?

Your Web host offers a service called, “Whois.” Who is the one who has my ideal domain name? Who is the one who owns the name I want? Who is the one I need to contact to have any chance of getting what I need? With Whois, you can answer all of these questions. If your ideal domain name is taken, someone has it. Use Whois to find out whom.

Whois will provide you with the contact information of whoever owns the domain name you want. Call or email. Most companies are willing to negotiate.

Another valuable tool offered by the Whois service kicks in when you finally have your domain name. Set up primarily to safeguard trademarks and copyright infringements, Whois will protect you and your company as well. Anytime someone registers a name similar to yours, you will be alerted. If the name is too close for comfort, use the contact information to call and negotiate. Or turn it over to your lawyers if that does not go well.

http://smallbusiness-domain.com/resources/whois_internet_lookup_tool