What’s a domain name all about?

Think of a domain name as your online address. It’s a one-of-a-kind label that sets your website apart from all others. Just like no two houses can have the same address, no two websites can share the same domain name. Whether you’re running a small business or just starting your online journey, having a domain name is crucial for anyone who wants to be easily found on the internet. It’s the first step to claiming your own space in the digital world.

How does a domain name work?

Imagine your domain name as your house address on the giant street of the internet. Every website lives on a computer called a server, and these servers have unique identification numbers like complex house codes, known as IP addresses. Remembering a string of numbers for every website would be a nightmare! That’s where domain names come in. They act like nicknames, translating those hard-to-remember codes into words we can easily recall.

So, when you type “www.whois.com” into your browser, a phonebook of the internet called the Domain Name System (DNS) kicks in. The DNS looks up the nickname “whois.com” and finds its corresponding IP address. With that address in hand, your internet service provider (ISP) acts like a mail carrier, using the numbers to connect you to the Whois.com website.