What
is a Domain Name and Why Do You Need One?
What is a Domain Name and Why Do You Need
One?
A domain name in its simplest form is just an Internet
Website address. Just as your house or apartment has its own unique
identifying address for the post office, so does each and every
Website in existence.
The domain name system was originally created for the benefit of
humans. The actual address used by computers is numerical in format
and is referred to as an IP, or Internet Protocol, address. An IP
address takes the form of four series of numbers separated by periods.
An example of an IP address is 215.55.258.145, and as you can see
this would not be easy for most of us to remember. So to compensate,
the domain "name" system was created. Its much easier
to remember a website named "thiswebsite.com" than it
is to remember a number such as the one above, right?
Notice there is no @ symbol in the Website address. The @ symbol
is normally used for email addresses only, thus (with rare exceptions)
you would not be able to visit a website with an address such as
ebooks@electronicperceptions.com. Instead you would send email to
that address. You can usually take the last part of an email address
and find a website with it though because everything after the @
symbol is normally the website at which this email address exists.
You have likely seen Website addresses that look like this: http://www.sasezpublications.com/user/~somename.
These are not really domain names in full, but rather they are
subsections of a domain name. The actual domain name is http://www.sasezpublications.com
and the rest of the address denotes where on that domain you would
like to view pages. So if you were to have your website at the location
above, you would not have your own domain. Instead you would have
web pages hosted in a directory on someone else's domain.
Why you need a Domain Name
If you are like some people, you may be wondering what the big
deal is with getting a domain name. Why does anyone want or even
need one? Well the answers can vary with circumstances, however
there are some pretty simple initial reasons.
Individuals sometimes like to have their own domain for vanity
or notoriety reasons. Other times they have a family or genealogy
Website and having a domain name for that site helps it to be found
and remembered easier. For instance if your name is Sheila Brooks,
you could try to get the domain name of "sheilabrooks.com"
so that anyone looking for you online would easily find you. If
you have a family Website then a domain name such as "brooksfamily.com"
would give it a nice touch. If you are an up and coming author,
artist, activist, volunteer or otherwise it would also give you
a unique and memorable address with which to promote your causes.
In the business world, domain names are becoming as common as telephone
and fax numbers. If your advertisements and business cards don't
display a domain name, you run the risk of being completely passed
over by customers that prefer to browse merchandise and services
online.
A good domain name is vital for a business. If the name does not
match your business name or slogan then it must be closely related
to one or both. Your domain name must also be easy to remember so
that customers do not have to work hard to find your site online.
Having a registered domain name with a live Website is sometimes
the first priority for a business today, because it is a very inexpensive
way to get your business name and information in front of the public.
Other primary reasons for a business to register one or more domain
names is to protect copyrights and trademarks, secure unique product
names and increase their brand awareness with the public.
About the Author By: Kathy Burns-Millyard
- http://www.SasEz.com
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