Domain Names

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Domain names are a method for allowing internet users to navigate the web sites easily. They are names used to stand in for numeric IP addresses to make web surfing simpler in that the user can apply the name that their looking for rather than having to search for or memorize numbers. Also known as host names for computers.

Consider domain names as the internet’s little piece of real estate. Some of the top level Domain names are dot-com, dot-net, dot-org, etc. The name directly to the left of these top domain names is considered your second-level domain names. Directly to the left of the second-level name is a third-level domain name which is commonly known to designate the host server. These levels can go on up to fourth, fifth and so on.

Domain definitions

When the World Wide Web began the intent of using dot-com, dot-org was intended to go with its specific definition. Dot-com was to stand in for commercial, dot-org was for organization and so on. The second level domain name was to identify a particular entity or business while the third level often times specified the country the host server was in. However, due to the popularity of the dot-com designation many non commercial sites would strive to get addresses under the dot-com trademark.

Abuses

Cyber squatting is a term referring to a company or entity trying to redirect traffic towards their site by using similar names to well known companies. Laws were enacted to protect these companies but then it led to what’s called reverse domain hijacking by companies suing other companies for using similar generic names claiming it was their own trademark when actually other companies may have a legitimate grounds to their names.

As the internet grows bigger there has been a need to set up corporations whose primary responsibilities are to maintain and regulate the internet traffic and uses.

History

Domain names were first implemented in 1985 and originally there were only six of them. Today due to the huge demand and traffic on the World Wide Web, there are upwards of twenty different domain names all of which were intended to represent the type of organization to make it easier for people to search for particular topics.

Exotic domain names

Since domain names have been around for such a long while most of the good names have been taken. More and more people have had to resort to more complicated names and as a result may lose out on some business since the simpler the name the easier it is for people to remember. Some hackers have created unique domain names by taking a name and putting dots and @ signs strategically to resemble existing third level domain names.

Obtaining domain names

Domain names are usually sold by people called domineers for a price. They can even been leased to users for a period of time. There are some companies that offer low-cost or even free domain registrations, however there is a requirement of hosting on their sites with their advertising in the user’s content. This allows the provider the ability to make money off of someone else’s website.

Domain extension meanings describe what the domain extension is intended to be used for. These meanings include three main types of extensions, .com, .org, and .net. The domain extension .com is intended for business or commercial use and is the most recognized and widely used of all the different types of extensions. The .org and .net stand for organization and network. The .org extension is intended for non-profit and trade organizations while .net is intended for businesses that are directly involved with the basic framework of the Internet.

Other examples of types of domain extensions include .biz, .us, .info, and .mobi. The domain extension meanings for those four types of  extensions are very unique. The .biz extension is intended for small online businesses. The .us extension, one of the newer ones, is intended for United States businesses. The .info domain extension is intended for information-resource sites and .mobi is for mobile device websites.

Types of domain extensions like .co.uk and .eu have country specific meanings. For example, .co.uk is the Internet code for the United Kingdom and .eu is intended for the European Union.

There are even types of  extension used for personal websites. The domain extension .me can be used for family related websites, a personal blog, or even a creative endeavor like showing your poetry or other artistic accomplishments. Another personal domain extension is .name.

Educational and governmental domain extensions include .edu, .gov, and .us. The .edu is intended for college level or post secondary websites, the .gov is intended for United States governmental agencies, and .us is also used for public schools and state and local governmental agency websites.

Another type of domain extension is .cn. This extension is intended for and registered by organizations and businesses from various different countries. Since television and entertainment play a huge role on a global level it would be inappropriate to leave out the .tv or me.tv domain extensions. These extensions are used by people, businesses, or any other organization with video, entertainment or media websites.

The diversity of the different types of domain extensions associated with the various domain extension meanings is vast and unique.

One of the important parts of the domain name is the suffix that can be found at the end of each address. This is called the domain name extension. These extensions exhibits the purpose of the website in which the domain name is used for. Here are some common domain name extensions:

o .com – commercial; mainly used for commercial and business websites

o .net – networks

o .org – organization; this is mainly used for non-profit organizations.

o .edu – education; domain name extension used by educational institutions such as universities, colleges, and schools.

o .gov – government; used for domains made for and used by the government.

There are more domain name extensions that are now made available for internet users who are planning to make their own websites. But most people adapt the dot com suffix even though it was intended for commercial use. This is because there are no extensions that are available for personal domains. The last three common extensions however, have managed to stick to their purpose in identifying the existence of websites.

With the evolution of the online community, the World Wide Web has also adapted other domain name extensions that would further give domain names its unique mark on the online map. Examples of which are the extensions that is dedicated to only one country (.us – United States, .uk – United Kingdom, .ae – United Arab Emirates, .fr – France, etc.), and those dedicated to which network industry they belong to(.tv – television, .fm – FM radio). There are also those suffixes that are made available by providers of free domain names.

The Internet’s domain name system (DNS) is an address to refer to websites. This name, also called a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) is the location online where your audience can find your website. The domain name you choose for your website describes your online presence and what your website is about.

The Family Tree

The beginning of a website address is the World Wide Web or www dot. After the beginning, are the second-level domain and the top-level domain. Each level is unique to the website itself.

The second-level domain is the name which you will name your website, such as “website name”. This name needs to describe your website or the purpose of your website. You need to create a name easy to remember.

The top-level domain is a name you choose from a list. You do not create this name. This is often called a generic domain (gTLD). The most popular domain extensions online are:.COM,.NET,.ORG,.US,.EDU,.MIL, and many others. You website name may be something like, “website name.com”. Let’s take a closer look at these extensions.

o.COM – this extension was created for commercial sites. Companies in the marketplace doing business transactions online choose this name. However, during the nineties people began grabbing up this extension because it was trendy. Numerous people have saved dot com addresses, to the point there are not many left. This domain name may be registered without restriction.

o.NET – was created for companies on a network. However, when people cannot find the dot com name they want, they usually choose a dot net for their website domain. This domain name may be registered without restriction.

o.ORG – is reserved for not-for-profit organizations. Churches, charities, and healthcare organizations usually use this domain extension. This domain name may be registered without restriction.

o.US or.GOV – Dot US names are part of country names. (Banks usually used this extension). Dot GOV indicates a governmental site. Another government extension is WHITEHOUSE.GOV, which indicates the presidential websites. This extension is restricted.

o.EDU – indicates an educational system. This domain name is restricted to only websites dedicated to higher education, such as universities.

o.MIL – this extension is dedicated to the United States military forces and is restricted for public use.

In 2001 and 2002, four new top-level domain names were created by the ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers). These new names are:.BIZ,.INFO,.NAME, AND PRO. Dot Biz is for businesses, Dot Info is for informational websites. Dot Name is for real or fictional name or personal pages. Dot Pro is for professional websites such as lawyers, accountants, and physicians.

Conclusion

A website name should be as unique as its creator. Dot Com, Dot Net, and Dot Org are the only top-level names you can choose from, so make your website address applicable to the purpose of your website.