When you want to set up a new website, registering a new domain name is the first step. A domain name is, so to speak, an internet address that, ideally, is easy for consumers to remember. This is absolutely necessary, because behind every website and domain name lies an IP address consisting of many numbers, which is therefore impossible for anyone to remember.
To clarify exactly where the domain name fits within a URL, we’ll explain in the next paragraph what parts such a URL actually consists of. After that, we’ll share a few useful tips so you can come up with a good domain name yourself.
The domain name’s position in a URL
There are often misunderstandings regarding the concept of a domain name. Many people believe that the domain name refers to the website or the URL. For the sake of completeness, we therefore explain below which part of a URL (in this case https://www.digitalwizards.nl/en/online-marketing/) is called what. This also immediately clarifies where the domain name is located within the URL.
- First, “https://”: this part forms the protocol. The “s” here indicates that the website is secure.
- “www” is the subdomain. In most cases, “www” appears here, but it is also possible to use “blog,” for example.
- The domain name is “digitalwizards.nl/en.” This is also referred to as the root domain or the main domain.
- The “.nl” part is also known as the top-level domain (TLD) or the extension. In most cases, the country code is used here, but there are also many other extensions available, such as “.tv” or “.blog”.
- Finally, “online marketing” is the subdirectory.
Incidentally, email addresses are often linked to the domain name and used by employees on behalf of the company in question.
Tips for choosing a suitable domain name
Choosing a suitable domain name is crucial for your company’s reputation and standing. You’ll undoubtedly succeed if you take the following tips to heart:
- Make sure your domain name isn’t too long. After all, it needs to be easy for all your (potential) customers and business contacts to remember—preferably so that everyone can recite it from memory.
- Generally speaking, there are three good domain name options. You can simply use your company name, or your company name combined with (in a single word) your core business. The third option is a domain name consisting of a key search term that you know consumers frequently search for in search engines.
- When it comes to the TLD, it’s wise to choose a recognizable extension. This enhances the credibility of your website and, by extension, your business. A country-code top-level domain (such as “.nl” or “.be”) is generally always a good choice. Is your organization also very active internationally? In that case, “.com” is likely the more obvious choice as a TLD.
