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If you're interested in the online world, you've probably heard the term "domain". But what exactly is it, and how does it work? This article is specifically for you, to provide a clear overview of domains, how to acquire them, and what they do.

What is domain, how to register domain and how domain works?

Domain: What is it?
Domain Registration: How does registration process looks like?
Domain Functioning: How does domains work?

What is a domain?

Domain is a unique address used to identify your website. It is a digital identity that your visitors use to find your website. For example, if you want to visit Google's website, you have to enter "www.google.com" in the browser, which is Google's domain name. Using a domain name helps visitors remember and easily find your site, without needing to know your web server's IP address.

There are two types of domains: primary domains and subdomains.

Primary domain: This is the main address of your website. For example, "google.com" is a primary domain.
Subdomain: These are subcategories of the main domain. For example, "maps.google.com" is a subdomain of the Google map application.

Using primary domains and subdomains helps organize and structure your website content, which in turn improves the user experience.

How to Register a Domain?

Domain registration is a fairly simple process consisting of several steps. Here are those steps broken down so you can better understand and easily register your domain name.

1. Choosing a Domain Name: The first step is choosing a domain name. This involves considering several aspects, such as the company name, brand identity, relevance, and ease of writing and remembering. Ideally, the domain name should be short and simple, so that users can easily remember and write it.
  
  A good domain name is the foundation of a successful online presence, making it easier for people to find and remember your website.
  - Seth Godin
2. Checking domain name: After choosing a domain name, you need to make sure that it is available. There are a number of websites and tools that can help you check whether your chosen domain name is already in use or not.
3. Domain Name Registration: If your chosen domain name is available, you can register it. To register a domain name, you need to choose a reliable domain registrar and follow their instructions. This process usually involves providing your personal information, including email address and payment details. For example, the most popular domain registrars in Estonia are Zone and Veebimajutus. They also offer immediate web hosting and email services. If you don't need the domain immediately, you can conveniently park it for a small service fee.

How do domains work?

When discussing how domains work, it's crucial to understand Internet protocols and the DNS system. Just as your home has a specific address, so does every website. But how does all of this function?

To function, a domain must be registered. During the registration process, the domain is added to the DNS system, linking it to a particular IP address. Once a domain is registered, it can be used as a website address, for sending e-mails, and so on.

Internet Protocol and DNS

The Internet Protocol, or IP, is a set of rules that regulates data exchange between computers over the Internet. Every device connected to the Internet has an IP address, which is a sequence of numbers. However, these numbers are difficult for people to remember, so the Domain Name System, or DNS, was created.

The DNS is like a large phone book that converts numerical IP addresses into domain names. This means that when you enter a domain into your browser's address bar, the DNS system looks up the corresponding IP address and directs you to the correct webpage.

What are the different domain extensions?

Certainly, you have noticed that some websites end with .com, others with .org, .edu or some other extension. These are domain extensions and they play a key role in the functioning of the internet. But what are these different domain extensions and what do they mean? Let's take a closer look.

General Domain Extensions

General Domain Extensions or gTLDs (Generic Top-Level Domains) are the most common and well known. They include:

.com - originally intended for commercial organizations, but is now available to everyone.
.org - intended for non-profit organizations, but is now available to everyone.
.net - intended for network technology companies, but is now available to everyone.
.info - open to everyone, intended for websites providing information.

National Domain Extensions

National or ccTLD (Country Code Top-Level Domains) domain extensions consist of two characters and denote a specific country or territory. For example:

.ee - Estonia
.fi - Finland
.se - Sweden
.us - United States

Exceptions may occur, where a national domain extension has become internationally popular, such as .io, which is the official domain extension of the British Indian Ocean Territory, but is prevalent in the technology and startup sector.

New General Domain Extensions

Since 2014, ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) has introduced new general domain extensions (new gTLDs). These allow for more specific extensions, such as .software, .music, .estate and many others. New extensions are consistently being added, further expanding the possibilities for designing your internet identity.

When choosing a domain name, it is important to understand what different domain extensions mean and how they can impact the perception of your website. Some extensions may be more specific to your field of activity, while others may help position better on an international level.

Most Common Questions and Answers About Domains

Since there are many different domains and the processes associated with them can be complicated, questions often arise. Here are some of the most common questions and answers about them:

Does registering a domain mean I own it?

No, registering a domain means that you have the right to use it for a certain period. The "owner" of the domain is the domain name registrar.

Can I register a domain without a website?

Yes, you can register a domain without a website. This can be useful if you want to reserve a domain name for branding purposes or if you plan to create a website in the future.

How can I find out if a domain is available?

You can check the availability of a domain from the website of the domain registration service provider. If the domain is already registered, it usually is not available, unless the current owner is willing to sell it.

Can I transfer my domain to another person?

Yes, you can transfer your domain to another person. This process can vary depending on the domain registration service provider, so you should contact your service provider for exact instructions.

What is domain extension?

Domain extension means that you pay to extend the right to use the domain after the initial registration period has ended. If you do not extend your domain, it may eventually become available to another person.

How often do I need to extend my domain?

This depends on the domain registration service provider and the terms of your contract, but you usually need to extend your domain every year or every couple of years.