What is a Domain Name?

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. For instance, the domain name for Google is ‘google.com’ and our domain name here at WebWorking is “webworking.com.au”).

The actual address of a website is a complex 4 or 8 part numerical IP address (e.g. x.x.x.x (often referred to as “IP4”, 4 parts, each part representing yyy) or x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x (8 part, often referred to as “IP6” with each part representing a 4 digit hexadecimal number)).  When the web first came into being, IP4 was considered to be adequate in the context of the then foreseen number of unique websites or web devices.  In recent years, the IP4 address space was seen as no longer adequate, hence IP6.  The number of available IP addresses is huge – driven by the proliferation of internet enabled devices (which, these days includes the computing devices in cars, fridges and many other types of device).

Thanks to DNS, users are able to enter human-friendly domain names (e.g “webworking.com.au”) and be routed to the websites they are looking for. This process is known as a DNS lookup.  The lookups occur across a series of DNS servers located in different countries across the world.  Lookups occur sequentially – the first lookup occurs at a local DNS server.  If this first lookup attempt resolves the domain name (into its IP address) then the lookup process is complete.  If the first DNS server has no record of the domain name then the lookup process follows a chain of the worldwide DNS servers until the domain name is either resolved (into its IP address) or until the lookup process fails with the domain name not being found.

Who manages Domain Names?

Domain names are all managed by domain registries, which delegate the reservation of domain names to Registrars. Anyone who wants to create a website can register a domain name with a registrar, and there are currently well over 300 million registered domain names.  In Australia, domain names are managed by AUDA ().  Web hosting (see sections on this website regarding hosting) businesses (e.g. VentraIP, iiNet, GoDaddy and many others) act as Registrars through which users can register domain names.

What is the difference between a Domain Name and a URL?

A uniform resource locator (URL), sometimes called a web address, contains the domain name of a site as well as other information, including the protocol and the path. For example, in the URL “https://webworking.com.au/what-is-a-domain/”,   “webworking.com.au” is the domain name, while “https” is the protocol and “/what-is-a-domain/” is the path to a specific page on the website.

What are the parts of a Domain Name?

Domain names are typically broken up into two or three parts, each separated by a dot. When read right-to-left, the identifiers in domain names go from most general to most specific. The section to the right of the last dot in a domain name is the top-level domain (TLD). These include the “generic” TLDs such as “.com”, “.net”, and “.org”, “.au” as well as country-specific TLDs like “.uk” and “.jp” and “.au”.

To the left of the TLD is the second-level domain (2LD) and if there is anything to the left of the 2LD, it is called the third-level domain (3LD). Let’s look at a couple of examples:

For Google’s US domain name, ‘google.com’:

• ’.com’ is the TLD (most general)
• ’google’ is the 2LD (most specific)

But for Amazon Australia’s domain name, ‘amazon.com.au’:

• ’.com.au’ is the TLD (most general)
• ’google’ is the 2LD (most specific)

*In this case, the 2LD indicates the type of organization that registered the domain (.com.au in Australia is for sites registered by registered business or companies).

How to keep a Domain Name secure

Once a domain name has been registered with a registrar, that registrar is in charge of notifying the registrant when their domain is about to expire and giving them the chance to renew, ensuring they do not lose their domain name.

In some cases, registrars will prey on users’ expired domain names by buying those domains the second they expire and then selling them back to the original registrant at an exorbitant price. It is important to choose an honest and trustworthy registrar to avoid these kinds of predatory practices.

As the owner of an Australian domain name, you may receive a letter initiated by AUDA requesting that you update your details (address, contacts, etc.).  If nothing has changed, no action is required (and the letters will note this).  If your details have changed and you fail to update your details, you may lose the domain name or be unable to renew it.  Given as your website is tied to your domain name, this would lead to loss of the website – clearly a bad thing !

Different TLDs

In years past, the set of allowed top level domains was small – this has changed.  The list has grown large and continues to grow and includes TLDs such as “.xyz”, “.online”, “.store”, “.sydney”, “.melbourne”, “.website”, “.tech”,”.asia”, “.art”, “.me”, “.football”, “.fish” … and many more … the list seems neverending.  Why use them ?  Debatable.

Domain Sitters and Rorters

There are other organisations (typically US organisations) which “sit” on otherwise unused but registered (by themselves, or purchased by themselves when the owners fail to re-register a domain name) domain names, offering these for sale at exorbitant prices.  Here at WebWorking, our domain name is “webworking.com.au”.  We do not have “webworking.com” as this has been registered by an organisation () that is simply sitting on “webworking.com”, offering it at a very high price which we are not prepared to pay (in excess of $3000 USD).

Other organisations (registered as businesses in Australia) may look for domain names which are coming up for re-registration.  The domain name owner (this could be you) may then receive an offer to renew the domain name at highly inflated prices.  Where your current registrar would likely charge in the region of $20- to $25- AUD for the renewal, these other organisations might charge several times that price.

In the same way that businesses (because they are busy), it is important to understand what they are being offered.  Buyer beware !

How long is a Domain Name valid for ?

Domain names can be valid for different periods.  Australian domain names are typically valid for a two year registration period but can, in some cases be registered for up to 10 years.  Other countries have different rules regarding allowed registration periods – a US domain name, for example, can be registered for one year.

What does a Domain Name registration cost ?

Domain name registration cost varies by country, registrar and the TLD.  An Australian domain name with a two year duration will typically cost around $20 to $25 AUD.  Some registrars will, as part of limited period other services promotions, offer registration at much reduced cost.