What is a domain and how to choose a good domain name for beginners

A domain name, is a sequence of characters used to identify a website on the Internet. Domains are typically a word or phrase that is short, memorable, and relevant to the content of the website.

Role of domain name

A domain name acts like a home address for a website. When users want to access your website, they will type the domain name of the website into the address bar of their browser.

A domain also plays an important role in SEO. A short, memorable, and relevant domain name will help your website rank higher in Google search results.

Distinguish between domain name and URL

Domain name is part of URL (unique resource locator). A URL is a website's address on the internet. It makes it possible for customers to get to the website.

Imagine your domain name is like the street name that helps people find your online home.

Think of the URL as the full address, made up of different parts:

• HTTP or HTTPS: This is like the security guard at the entrance. If it's HTTPS, it means your website is extra safe and secure.
• www: This stands for "World Wide Web," letting everyone know you're visiting a website.
• Domain name: This is the actual name of your website, like your house number on the street. For example, "mydomainname."
• Domain name extension: This is like the country code at the end of a phone number. Common extensions are ".com" or ".au," representing different areas on the internet.

So, when you type the whole URL in your browser, it's like giving your computer clear instructions on how to find your desired website based on its unique address.

How to choose a good domain name for beginners

When choosing a domain name for your website, you need to keep the following in mind:

• Short and memorable domain name: A short and memorable domain name will help users easily remember and access your website.
• Relevant domain name: A relevant domain name will help users understand more about your website and be more likely to visit your website.
• Spelling-friendly domain name: A spelling-friendly domain name will help users easily find your website on search engines.
• Available domain name: You need to check if the domain name you want to register is available or not. If the domain name is available, you need to choose a different domain name. To maintain brand consistency, also check if it's available as a username on social media platforms.

Some specific suggestions for choosing a domain for beginners:

Kepp it consistent with your brand: When building your online presence, it's very important to maintain brand consistency. Your domain name should ideally be identical to, or as close as possible to, your business name.

If your website is an e-commerce website, you can choose a domain name that is your brand name or a combination of your brand name and keywords related to the products or services you sell.
If your website is a company or organization website, you can choose a domain name that is the name of your company or organization.
If your website is a personal website, you can choose a domain name that is your name or a domain name that represents your interests or the field you are interested in.

Some things to keep in mind when choosing a domain

Do not choose a domain name that is too long: A domain name that is too long will be difficult to remember and spell.

Do not choose a domain name with special characters: Special characters can make it difficult for users to access your website.

Do not choose a domain name that is the same as the domain name of another website: A domain name that is the same as the domain name of another website can cause confusion for users.

Do not choose a domain name that is incorrect spelling, slang or  jargon unless this matches your business name.

Decide on a domain name extension

Picking the right ending for your domain name is almost as important as picking the name itself! This ending, called a "domain name extension," tells everyone where your website lives online.

Some standard domain name extension are:

• .com: This stands for "commercial" and is commonly used by international businesses. It works well if you're aiming for global reach, where local trust isn't as important.
• .org: Short for "organisation," anyone can use this. It's often seen as the go-to for non-profit organizations though, so consider this if that's your structure.
• .co: Short for "company," it's not widely used and not the best choice.
• .biz: Similar to ".co," not very common and not the most recommended.
• .net: Short for "network," it's used by some service providers and tech companies. It's not ideal for standard businesses.
• .edu: This stands for "education" and is only available to official educational institutions.
• .gov: Likewise, ".gov" is for government institutions only.

A domain is an important factor for your website. A good domain name will help your website rank higher in Google search results and be easily found by users.

I hope the above knowledge will help you choose a good domain for your website.