The domain itself is the web address. The thing you were thinking of is the DNS server, which is a server that translates domain names to their actual IP address. I personally use Hover for my domains, but Google should be good. Also, avoid GoDaddy like the plague. Before buying a domain, the safest way to look them up is by looking at the ICANN registry directly instead of checking if one is available at the registrar because some will snipe them if you don't buy immediately. Answer from Deleted User on reddit.com
Cloudflare
cloudflare.com › learning › dns › glossary › what-is-a-domain-name
What is a domain name? | Domain names vs. URLs | Cloudflare
A domain name is a string of text that maps to an alphanumeric IP address, used to access a website from client software. In plain English, a domain name is the text that a user types into a browser window to reach a particular website.
Reddit
reddit.com › r/webdev › what exactly is a domain?
r/webdev on Reddit: What exactly is a domain?
September 19, 2023 -
Hey guys.
I looked in a lot of places but I'm confused... Title.
I thought that the "domain" was just a server that lets you create and store a name/link with the desired extension that would prevent other people from using it. But then there's services, etc. If I use a site builder, like Wix, what else would I have with a service? I take it, just matters related to domain transfers and such...
Also, does it matter where I buy it? I hear Cloudflare and google is good but godaddy isn't. Why?
Thanks!!
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The domain itself is the web address. The thing you were thinking of is the DNS server, which is a server that translates domain names to their actual IP address. I personally use Hover for my domains, but Google should be good. Also, avoid GoDaddy like the plague. Before buying a domain, the safest way to look them up is by looking at the ICANN registry directly instead of checking if one is available at the registrar because some will snipe them if you don't buy immediately.
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Think of it like a business name. It's just a user friendly name for your website. You must purchase it and it is registered in your name. This is what prevents others from purchasing the same name. Then name servers are like a section of a phone book. Your computer goes there to lookup the section for your website and then looks up the DNS records for your business website. These records are like phone addresses for the various departments of your business. Some departments are at the same address (same server), while some are handled elsewhere. Sometimes you use a 3rd party to handle things (email for example). There's most always a record for the root (the main record for the website) and it points to the server IP Address (like your primary business address).
Videos
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Website 101: Domain, Hosting & CMS Basics Explained // Thinkin...
What is a Domain Name?
The domain itself is the web address. The thing you were thinking of is the DNS server, which is a server that translates domain names to their actual IP address. I personally use Hover for my domains, but Google should be good. Also, avoid GoDaddy like the plague. Before buying a domain, the safest way to look them up is by looking at the ICANN registry directly instead of checking if one is available at the registrar because some will snipe them if you don't buy immediately. Answer from Deleted User on reddit.com
How do I get a web domain?
Getting a web domain is pretty simple. First, generate a web domain name that has not been taken by anyone and determine the preferred extension. The next step is to register it with a reliable domain registrar. Lastly, pay for the domain name online.
study.com
study.com › courses › business courses › business 104: information systems and computer applications
Web Domain | Definition & Examples - Lesson | Study.com
What is domain registration?
Domain registration is the process of reserving a domain name for exclusive use through a domain registrar. There are hundreds of millions of registered domain names worldwide.
cloudflare.com
cloudflare.com › learning › dns › glossary › what-is-a-domain-name
What is a domain name? | Domain names vs. URLs | Cloudflare
What is domain name explain?
A domain name represents an Internet Protocol (IP) address that is used to reach the resources associated with the domain name on the internet. A domain name is an easily remembered representation of an IP address.
study.com
study.com › courses › business courses › business 104: information systems and computer applications
Web Domain | Definition & Examples - Lesson | Study.com
Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Domain_name
Domain name - Wikipedia
November 14, 2025 - In the Internet, a domain name is a string that identifies a realm of administrative autonomy, authority, or control. Domain names are often used to identify services provided through the Internet, such as websites, email services, and more. Domain names are used in various networking contexts ...
MDN Web Docs
developer.mozilla.org › en-US › docs › Learn_web_development › Howto › Web_mechanics › What_is_a_domain_name
What is a Domain Name? - Learn web development | MDN
Computers can handle such addresses easily, but people have a hard time finding out who is running the server or what service the website offers. IP addresses are hard to remember and might change over time. To solve all those problems we use human-readable addresses called domain names. A domain name has a simple structure made of several parts (it might be one part only, two, three…), separated by dots and read from right to left: Each of those parts provides specific information about the whole domain name.
HubSpot
blog.hubspot.com › website › what-is-a-domain
What is a domain name? See these definitions + examples
August 21, 2025 - The same goes for visiting a website. Instead of memorizing a website’s IP address, visitors type in the domain into their browser. A domain typically consists of two or three words separated by periods. A simple example of a domain is hubspot.com.
WebFX
webfx.com › home › blog › internet › what is a website domain and how does it work?
What Is a Website Domain? | A Simple Explanation
When he’s not pumping out fresh ... latest creative project. ... A website domain is the unique address that people type into their web browsers to access a specific website, like webfx.com....
Study.com
study.com › courses › business courses › business 104: information systems and computer applications
Web Domain | Definition & Examples - Lesson | Study.com
September 10, 2020 - It serves as a link to the ownership of resources online. A domain typed into the web address will return only information associated with the domain website. Since the domain is associated with an IP address, it can be used to track a user's physical location.
Hostinger
hostinger.com › home › tutorials › what is a domain name?
What is a domain name? Simple explanation for beginners
August 31, 2023 - A domain name is a human-friendly website address on the Internet, like google.com or wikipedia.org. It acts as a shortcut to complex IP addresses or long strings of numbers that computers use to locate websites on the web.
Network Solutions
networksolutions.com › home › blog › domains & hosting › what are domain names and how do they work?
What are Domain Names and How do They Work?
October 24, 2025 - A domain name is your website’s unique online address, helping visitors find and remember your brand easily. The Domain Name System (DNS) translates your domain into an IP address, allowing browsers to connect users to your website instantly.
Doteasy
doteasy.com › blog › how-do-domains-work
How do domains work
What is a domain name? The simplest explanation of a domain name is that it is the address that the browser uses to find a website. In other words, it is a unique identifier for a website or email
WPBeginner
wpbeginner.com › home › beginners guide › beginner’s guide: what is a domain name and how do domains work?
Beginner's Guide: What is a Domain Name and How Do Domains Work?
July 28, 2025 - Let’s dive in! A domain name is your website’s unique address on the internet. People type it into their browser to find your site.
Google Support
support.google.com › a › answer › 2573637
Domain name basics - Google Workspace Admin Help
Here are some common terms you may encounter when managing an Internet domain name. Click a term below to jump to the description of the term and its practical use with your Google service. See also DNS basics for terms related to the Domain Name System that manages the relationship between IP addresses and domains. ... A domain name (often simply called a domain) is an easy-to-remember name that’s associated with a physical IP address on the Internet.
Wix
wix.com › blog › what-is-a-domain
What Is a Domain Name? A Guide For Beginners
2 weeks ago - A domain name is the web address people type into a browser to visit a site. Like a fingerprint, each domain is unique. Domains make it easier to access websites without remembering IP addresses.
GoDaddy
godaddy.com › resources › skills › domains › what is a domain name? domains vs urls — your ultimate guide
What is a domain name? Domains vs URLs — Your ultimate guide
Instead of entering a long IP address, (a complex string of numbers and letters computers use to recognize a website – e.g. 192.153.2.46), a domain name is a simpler combination of letters, numbers and symbols typed into browser to access a specific web address directly.
Published August 25, 2025
one.com
one.com › en › domain › what-is-a-domain-name
What Is A Domain Name - Beginners guide | one.com
March 19, 2025 - A domain name, or domain, is the name of a website that you can type into your web browser to access it. It’s like the street address of a house, but for a website. It consists of a website name and a domain extension.
IONOS
ionos.com › digital guide › domains › domain tips › what is a domain?
What is a domain? Definitions and examples - IONOS
October 18, 2024 - Having to remember web server IP addresses in order to access web content is difficult and time-consuming for humans. This is why a user-friendly alternative was created: the domain. This is an alphanumeric method that makes it easier for people to access websites.
GoDaddy
godaddy.com › help › whats-the-difference-between-my-domain-and-my-website-42196
What’s the difference between my domain and my website? | Websites + Marketing - GoDaddy Help US
A domain is like your website's street address. Your website is your space to present your stuff to visitors - like a digital showroom.
Webglobe
webglobe.com › domů › glossary of it terms › glossary of it terms: what is a domain? this is the first step to your own website
Glossary of IT terms: What is a domain? This is the first step to your own website | Webglobe
June 19, 2025 - In IT discourse, a domain (or more precisely a domain name) stands for an IP address. This is a complex numerical code assigned to each device connected to the Internet. Under it, you will also find the server on which your website is located.
OVHcloud
ovhcloud.com › domain name › what is a domain name?
What is a domain name ? definition & more | OVHcloud Canada
The DNS then responds with the IP address of the website’s hosting server, making it accessible. Domain names were created because IP addresses are too complicated to remember. So, for internet users to access a website, it needs to be given a name. ... To finish off this definition of a domain name, here is a quick explanation of its structure.