Domain
Domains are unique addresses that navigate us through the maze of the internet and guide us to our desired destinations. Think of them as the digital signposts that guide us through the vast network of websites and online content. Whether you're seeking information, entertainment or business, your digital journey begins with a single domain name.
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What is a domain?
Domain extension: What is it?
When we talk about domains, there's an important concept that comes into play: domain ending. The domain extension is the last part of a domain that follows the last dot.
This extension often contains two or three letters and adds an extra dimension to the overall meaning of the domain. Domain extensions, also known as top-level domains (TLDs), are like little indicators that can give you an idea of what kind of website you're visiting.
In the domain "example.com", ".com" is the domain extension. This ".com" extension usually indicates that the website has a commercial or general nature. Similarly, ".org" can imply an organization, ".edu" for educational institutions and ".gov" for government sites.
The domain extension can also act as a flag to signal which country or region a website belongs to. In the same way that you can fly your country's flag, you can signal your connection to a geographical area by choosing a country-specific domain extension such as ".uk" for the UK or ".ca" for Canada.
It's a way to mark your belonging to a certain part of the world and helps target web pages to the relevant audience.
Some creative individuals have also thought outside the box and chosen unusual domain extensions such as ".pizza" for pizza restaurants, ".mom" for mothers and even ".unicorn" for perhaps something magical. If you see a website with such an unusual domain extension, you'll immediately know there's something special or unique about it.
So next time you're online, remember that the small letters at the end of a website address tell you more than you might think. They're like little clues that give you a bit of information before you visit a new online world.
Subdomains and subfolders: What are they?
When it comes to organizing content on a website, you often come across the terms subdomains and subfolders. These terms are all about organizing your digital space in a more structured way.
- Subdomains: Think of your domain as your headquarters on the internet - let's call it "headquarters.com". A subdomain is like a branch of your headquarters. It could be "blog.headquarters.com", for example. This allows you to divide your content into separate areas. If the headquarters is your company, the subdomain is a department with its own focus and content. It could be your blog, a shop or something else entirely. Subdomains are like small, specialized branches under your headquarters.
- Subfolders: Imagine that your headquarters has many different rooms inside. Each of these rooms has its own purpose, but they are still part of the same headquarters. Subdirectories work the same way. If your main domain is "headquarters.com", you can create subfolders like "headquarters.com/inspiration" or "headquarters.com/products". This allows you to organize content into different categories or topics. Subfolders are like different rooms within the same building, where each space has its own function.
Whether you use subdomains or subfolders, it's important to understand how they can help structure your website. They make it easier for visitors to find specific content and help you organize your digital presence in a more logical way.
How to choose your domain name...
Choosing the perfect domain name is like finding the key to your online identity. It's your digital address that defines how people find you on the internet. But how do you go from thoughts to the ideal domain name?
When choosing a domain name for your business, there are some things you should consider. Here are our recommendations:
- Use the name of your business as a domain name.
- Choose a short and easily recognizable name.
- Make sure the name is easy to spell and pronounce correctly.
- Avoid local letters like æ, ø and å.
If your business name contains two separate words, such as "Fitness CPH", the choice between including a hyphen in your domain name like "fitness-cph.dk" or omitting it like "fitnesscph.dk" is not necessarily crucial for your SEO. In most cases, we recommend that you avoid using hyphens in your domain name.
Most users find it more natural to type domain names without. Either way, you should consider purchasing both variants (hyphenated and unhyphenated) of the domain name and set up an automatic redirect from one to the other to ensure your visitors end up on the desired page.
While there may be a small benefit to including a keyword related to your business in your domain name, such as "fitness" if you run a business in the fitness world, it's important to weigh up the pros and cons.
While the presence of a keyword can have a positive impact on search engine optimization, you should also consider whether it limits you to focusing only on the training area. This could prove disadvantageous if your business later expands into other areas.
The toolbox for choosing your domain name
There's plenty of inspiration and input to be found online for your domain name. The list is long, so we've made a short one for you:
- Domain search services: Services like GoDaddy, One or ScanNet offer domain search tools that show you if your desired domain name is already taken. These platforms can also give you suggestions for similar names that are still available.
- Dictionary: Dictionaries and thesauri can be a source of creative words and terms to incorporate into your domain name. You can experiment with different combinations to create something unique.
- Competitors' domain names: Research your competitors' domain names and analyze what makes their choices unique. This can help you identify trends and find your own niche.
More concepts
Want to learn more digital marketing terms? Our digital dictionary is full of them - and we're constantly updating it.
