Domain Terms Glossary – A Guide for Beginners

If you want to set up a website, you’ll need a domain name. That’s the text people type into their browsers to find and access your site, like “Amazon.com” or “Facebook.com.”

It seems simple enough at first but, when many people start setting up their first sites, they quickly feel overwhelmed and confused by all the jargon, acronyms, and unusual terms they encounter. Terms like “TLD,” for example, or “ccTLD.”

This guide’s here to help demystify and define some of the most confusing domain name jargon you might be confused about.

Basic Concepts

Understanding the foundational elements of domain names is crucial. These basic concepts provide the groundwork for navigating more advanced topics related to domain names and their functions.

Domain Name

The primary identifier on the internet for websites, like “example.com”. This is what users typically think of as your web address.

URL vs. Domain Name

It’s important to differentiate between a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) and a domain name. A domain name is part of a URL. For example, in the URL “https://www.example.com/page1,” “example.com” is the domain name, while the full string is the URL, which also includes the protocol (“https://”) and the specific path (“/page1”).

Subdomain

Think of subdomains like domains within domains. They’re web addresses that are built within pre-existing domain names. For example, you might have websitex.com as your main domain name, then blog.websitex.com as a subdomain for blog posts.

Root Domain

The root domain is the most important part of the domain hierarchy. It is the overarching framework that organizes the entire domain name system (DNS). The root domain itself is technically an invisible dot at the end of a domain name (e.g., “example.com.”).

Second-Level Domain (SLD)

Just beneath the TLD in the domain hierarchy is the second-level domain (SLD). This is what people commonly refer to as their website’s name. For example, in “example.com,” “example” is the SLD. The SLD is what registrants usually choose when purchasing a domain to represent their brand or website name.

Types of Domains

Domain names come in various types, each serving different purposes. This section breaks down the main categories of domain names, helping you to choose the right type for your needs.

TLD

We’ll kick things off with one of the most common domain-related terms, and one that many people are unsure of when setting up their first website: TLD.

TLD stands for top-level domain. Another way to define TLDs is with the term “domain extension.” In the simplest of terms, a TLD or domain extension is the last part of a domain name: the .com, .net, .org, and so on.

TLDs are divided into three distinct forms, called ccTLDs, gTLDs, and sTLDS (more on those below). They take many forms, from those you’re most likely familiar with, like .com and .org, to more unusual and obscure entries, like .gent, .online, and .dot. There are over 1,500 TLDs in total.

TLDs help to categorize websites into different groups or sectors based on their content and nature. For example, the .uk TLD is used for U.K.-based businesses and organizations, aimed at a U.K. audience.

gTLD

gTLD is one of the three varieties of TLDs. The “g” stands for generic, and these kinds of TLDs are not specifically linked to any type of country, unlike ccTLDs.

Some famous examples of gTLDs include

• .com (commercial
• .net (network)
• .org (organization)

In addition, there are lots more gTLDs out there, like .name and .pro, to cite but two.

ccTLD

ccTLD stands for country-code top-level domain. These TLDs are geographic in nature, tied to specific countries and regions around the world. Hundreds of countries have their own associated TLD, like:

• .us for the United States
• .uk for the United Kingdom
• .br for Brazil.

Businesses that operate exclusively in specific regions may like to set up sites with relevant country-code TLDs. Alternatively, big enterprises with international appeal can have multiple sites with ccTLDs for all the countries in which they operate.

Additionally, some ccTLDs are used by companies because of their quirky nature or the fact that they look and sound similar to other terms.

.ai, for example, is the ccTLD for the island territory of Anguilla. However, many tech startups have recently opted for .ai domain registration because of the fact that this extension reminds users of AI (artificial intelligence).

sTLD

The last of the three TLD types is sTLD, or sponsored top-level domain.

Examples of these include

• .edu (for educational institutions)
• .gov (for government agencies)
• .museum (for museums)

Compared to ccTLDs and gTLDs, there aren’t as many sTLDs, and they have more specific and niche uses.

Premium Domains

Premium domains are high-value domains that are typically shorter, more memorable, and sought-after. These domains often carry a higher price due to their perceived value and demand.

IDN

Yet another domain-related acronym, IDN stands for Internationalized Domain Name. These are domain names designed for use in countries with languages that don’t use the Roman alphabet. This allows site creation in Arabic, Russian, Japanese, and so on.

Registration and Management

Managing a domain name involves various steps and entities. This section explains the roles and processes involved in registering and maintaining your domain name.

Registry, Registrar, and Registrant:

• Registry: Manages TLDs, creating and maintaining domain extensions.
• Registrar: Companies that sell and host domain names.
• Registrant: The individual or entity (you) that owns the domain name.

ICANN

ICANN is the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers. It’s a non-profit based in Los Angeles, and, in simple terms, it takes care of IP address and domain name administration. It’s the main regulatory body for the domain name industry.

WHOIS

WHOIS is a system that provides details about the registered owners of a domain name. This publicly accessible database includes information such as the registrant’s name, contact information, and registration and expiration dates for the domain. There are also privacy protections that can mask personal information within the WHOIS database.

Domain Privacy Protection

Domain privacy protection is a service offered by registrars to protect the registrant’s identity. This service replaces the registrant’s personal information in the WHOIS database with the information of a forwarding service, protecting registrants from spam and malicious attacks.

Backorder

A backorder is a service that allows you to attempt to acquire a domain name when it becomes available for registration. If the current owner fails to renew the domain, a backorder service can help you claim it as soon as it drops.

Bulk Domain Registration

This is a service offered by registrars that allows you to register multiple domain names at once, often at a discounted rate. It’s useful for businesses looking to secure their brand across various TLDs or for protecting intellectual property.

Registrant Contact Information

When you register a domain, you need to provide contact details such as your name, address, email, and phone number. This information is stored in the WHOIS database, where it can be accessed publicly unless you opt for privacy protection services.

DNS and Security

The Domain Name System (DNS) plays a critical role in how domain names function on the internet. This section outlines how DNS works and the security measures you can take to protect your domain.

DNS

DNS means domain name system. It is responsible for translating web addresses in numeric form (IP addresses) into text form. It’s like a translator.

DNSSEC

DNS Security Extensions (DNSSEC) add an extra layer of security to DNS lookups, helping to protect against certain attacks like DNS spoofing. They do this by enabling DNS responses to be digitally signed, confirming their authenticity.

Nameservers

Nameservers are specialized servers on the internet that handle queries about the location of a domain’s services. When someone types a domain name into their browser, the nameservers direct the query to the appropriate server where the website is hosted.

Domain Propagation

Domain propagation is the time it takes for DNS changes to be updated across the internet. When you make a change to your DNS records, such as updating your nameservers, it can take up to 48 hours for the changes to be recognized globally.

Wildcard DNS

This is an advanced option within DNS settings that allows for the mapping of all subdomains that are not specified in the DNS zone file to a particular resource. For example, setting up a wildcard DNS for “*.example.com” could ensure that any subdomain under “example.com” points to the same IP address.

SSL Certificates

SSL certificates encrypt data transmitted to and from your website, providing security and building trust with visitors. They’re essential for any site that handles sensitive information. Domains often need to be SSL secured, indicated by “https://” in the URL.

Domain Lifecycle

Domain names go through a lifecycle from registration to expiration. This section explains the stages a domain goes through and what happens at each stage.

Parking

Parking is a term you might hear when purchasing a domain name, and it can be a little confusing. It basically means reserving a domain name for a site that doesn’t yet exist. You “park” the domain, or reserve it, to ensure it’s yours while you finish working on the site.

Expired Domain

An expired domain is one that the previous owner did not renew. After the expiration date, the domain typically goes through several stages before it is deleted and available for re-registration, including renewal grace period, redemption period, and pending delete status.

Redemption Period

After a domain name expires and is not renewed, it typically enters a phase known as the redemption period. This period usually lasts around 30 days, during which the original domain owner can still renew the domain for an additional fee. If the domain is not renewed during this period, it may become available for purchase again.

Drop-Catching

When a domain name is not renewed and completes the deletion cycle (including the renewal grace period, redemption period, and pending delete period), it is eventually released back to the public for new registration. Drop-catching is the practice of rapidly registering a domain name the moment it becomes available.

Transactions and Usage

Domain names can be bought, sold, and transferred between owners. This section covers the various ways in which domains can be used and traded.

Transfer

A transfer, or domain name transfer, happens when a domain name takes on new ownership, either by being sold or moved.

Domain Forwarding

This is a technique used to redirect traffic from one domain to another. This can be useful if you own multiple domains and want them all to point to a single website. For example, if you own both example.com and example.net, you could forward example.net to example.com.

Domain Squatting

Domain squatting, or cybersquatting, refers to registering, trafficking, or using a domain name with the bad faith intention ofprofiting from the goodwill of someone else’s trademark. This practice is generally illegal and can lead to legal disputes.

Domain Flipping

Domain flipping is the practice of buying domain names with the intention of selling them at a higher price. This practice involves researching and selecting domain names that are likely to be in high demand.

Revenue Generation through Parking

Some registrants park domains with the intent to generate revenue through advertisements. These parked domains often display ads related to the domain’s potential content or keywords, earning revenue based on clicks or views.

Domain Marketplaces

Specialized platforms like Sedo or Flippa, where individuals and businesses can buy, sell, or auction domain names. This can be a strategic place for investors to find high-value domains.

Understanding Domain Auctions

Domain auctions occur when previously registered domains are not renewed by the original owner and are now up for bid by interested parties. These domains often carry value due to their age, traffic, or keywords.

Specific Use Cases

Certain domain strategies cater to specific needs and scenarios. This section covers unique applications of domain names, from regional targeting to email forwarding.

Geo-targeting with Domains

Using ccTLDs and subdomains to geo-target and provide localized content for users in specific regions. For example, a company might use example.co.uk for the UK audience and example.de for the German audience.

Email Forwarding

A feature offered by many domain registrars, email forwarding allows you to create an email address using your domain name that forwards emails to another existing email address. This is often used for branding and professional purposes.

Extension Release Cycles

Different types of TLDs have different release cycles for new extensions. These cycles include periods such as sunrise (priority registration for trademark holders), landrush (early access before general availability), and general availability (open to everyone).

Trademark Considerations

When registering a domain name, it’s crucial to consider existing trademarks. Registering a domain name that infringes on someone else’s trademark can lead to legal challenges and disputes. Businesses should perform a trademark search to avoid potential conflicts.

The More You Know, the Better, in Domain Name Registration

Clearly, the world of domain names almost has its own little language, with many acronyms and terms you don’t hear in everyday life. However, as this guide shows, many of those seemingly complex terms have relatively simple explanations.

Now that you know a little more about the ins and outs of how domain names work, you should find it easier to buy your own.