A Guide to Website Domains

While you probably don’t need to understand the nuances of what makes up a site URL, a custom domain name is valuable for any website. Choosing an identifiable domain name is a way to claim your space online and create a more professional online presence.

What is a domain name?

A domain is like a street address for a website. It includes the unique name of the website and its top-level domain (TLD). Think of the domain name like a house number and the TLD as the street name. 

For Squarespace, the domain name is the “squarespace” in squarespace.com, and .com is the TLD.

Domain name vs. URL

A URL is the full web address that appears in your web browser for a specific web page. The website domain is just one part of the full URL. A website URL has a few parts:

• Scheme or protocol (e.g., https://)

• Subdomain (e.g., www.)

• Domain name or second-level domain 

• TLD

• Subdirectory or page path (e.g., “/blog” in squarespace.com/blog)

Most people will only need to pay attention to their domain name, TLD, and page paths.

Why you should get a custom domain name

You don’t need to have a website to get a domain name or vice versa. But it’s important to give your website a domain name to make it easier for people to find and remember.

Having a custom domain name:

• Makes your website easier to discover: Most domain names are similar to your name or your business name, which makes you easy to find and remember.

• Establishes your brand or business name: Building a brand and sticking in people’s minds is about consistency. Your domain is an extension of that.

• Builds your site’s credibility: A name that’s specific to your brand makes your website look more professional than a randomized domain name. 

• Helps your SEO: All of the above make people more likely to click on your website in search results, which improves your chances of ranking higher.

How do domains work?

Computers identify websites using a unique set of numbers called an IP address. But a string of numbers is hard to remember. When you get a domain name and connect it to your site you’re linking it with your website’s IP address so both people and devices can find it.

In the background, the Domain Name System (DNS) translates your domain back into an IP address so a device can direct people to your site . The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), a private nonprofit, manages much of this process.

Types of domains

If someone refers to types of domains, they’re often referring to types of TLDs. TLDs fall into several categories based on whether they’re OK for general public use or if they’re reserved for specific types of businesses and organizations.

• Generic top-level domains (gTLDs): Available to anyone, like .com, .net, or .io

• Country code top-level domains (ccTLDs): Specific to a location, like .us or .jp

• Sponsored top-level domains (sTLDs): For groups that meet specific requirements, like .gov or .edu

How to choose a website domain

For most people, the simplest option is choosing a domain name that matches your own name or the name of your brand or business. Choosing your own name generally makes sense for a personal or resume website, whereas a brand name generally makes sense for shops, service providers, or freelancers.

Make a list of backup options in case your ideal domain name is already taken or too similar to a well-known business name. You can do a domain name search to check if your preferred domain is available. If it’s not, try a variation on your name, a different TLD, or another common identifier for yourself, like your social media handle.

If you need help finding alternatives, our domain name generator can help with brainstorming additional ideas based on a description of your business.

Get more tips on choosing your domain name

How to get a website domain

Claiming your domain name once you’ve chosen it is relatively straightforward. 

1. Confirm that your domain is available. 

2. Choose a domain provider, also known as a domain registrar. 

3. Follow the registrar’s steps to claim your domain name and make your first payment.

4. Add privacy protection (usually free).

A standard domain name usually costs $20 or less per year. You can choose your registrar by comparing details like convenience, included features, and price. Domain providers are carefully overseen by ICANN so you can trust the provider you choose.

If you end up wanting to change or edit your domain name, there’s usually a grace period to cancel your registration for a full refund. You can then re-register under the name you wanted. That grace period is five days for Squarespace Domains.

Learn how to claim your domain name

What you can do with your domain name

Once you have your domain name registered, you’re not quite finished. You’ll need to connect your new domain name to your website. You don’t have to pay for your domain and your web hosting from the same provider, but it can help you keep things organized.

There are a few more things you can do with your domain, depending on your needs.

• Enable WHOIS privacy protection. WHOIS records owner information for registered domains, which is publicly available unless you opt to keep it private. This protection is often free.

• Set up a domain email address. An email address customized with your domain name can look more professional. With Squarespace you can also create aliases, like hello@ or help@, and have each forward to a single inbox.

• Redirect your domain to another URL. This can be helpful if you want to push website visitors to a specific page, product, or piece of content—on your website or elsewhere. You forward your domain to any other URL and end forwarding at any time.

• Transfer your domain. If you registered your domain in one place but built your website somewhere that also offers domains, you can choose to transfer your domain over. You might start a transfer for easier management, pricing, or extra features.

This post was updated on May 31, 2024.