What is a Domain Name?
A domain name is a unique, human-readable string of characters that represents the address of a website or web-based service on the internet. It serves as a memorable and convenient way for users to access websites without needing to remember the numerical IP addresses that computers use to locate each other on the internet.
Think of a domain name as the online equivalent of a street address. Just as a street address helps you locate a specific physical location, a domain name helps users find and access a particular website or web service on the internet.
Domain names are registered and managed by domain Registrars, which are organizations accredited by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) to sell and administer domain names. When you register a domain name, you are essentially leasing the right to use that domain name for a specific period of time, usually ranging from one to ten years, and you need to renew the registration periodically to maintain ownership of the domain name.
In summary:
- a domain name is a unique, human-readable address
- it represents a website or web service on the internet
- it plays a crucial role in helping users locate and access websites
- users don't need to remember numerical IP addresses
- domain names are registered and managed by domain Registrars
- domain names are registered for a specific period of time
- you need to renew the registration periodically to maintain ownership of the domain name.