Your website\'s domain name is essentially the equivalent of a physical address. Just as a satellite needs an address or postal code to provide directions, a web browser needs a domain name to direct you to a website. An internet domain is formed from two main elements. For example, the domain name Facebook.com consists of the website name (Facebook) and the domain extension (.com). When a company (or individual) purchases a domain name, they can specify which server the domain name points to. Domain name registries are overseen by an organization called ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers). ICANN specifies which domain extensions are available and maintains a centralized database of where web domains point. Every website you visit consists of two main elements: a domain name and a web server. A web server is a physical machine that hosts the files and databases that make up your website and sends them to people over the internet when they visit your site from their computer. The web domain, or internet domain, is what people type to access your site, and it points the web browser to the server that stores those resources. Without a web domain, people would have to remember your server\'s specific IP address, and that\'s simply not going to happen.

How do domains work?

Domains work by acting as a shortcut to reach the server that hosts your website. Without a domain, anyone wanting to visit your website would have to type in the full IP address. But the problem is that an IP address is difficult to remember or include in marketing materials. In our case, Mox.cl is the domain. Let\'s say it points to the IP address 100.90.80.70. The IP address points to a server, but it doesn\'t resolve the website if visitors try to use it. This is because for an IP address to resolve to a website, the remote server must use port 80 with a default page (i.e., index.html) stored in its web application directory. As you can see, messing with server defaults and IP addresses can be confusing and time-consuming. That\'s why the vast majority of website owners choose to use a service like Mox Networks.

Different Types of Domains

Not all internet domains follow the same formula, and while .com domains make up 46.5% of all websites worldwide, that leaves plenty of room for other domain types like .org and .net. Generally, the most common domain types include: TLD: Top-Level Domains A top-level domain is exactly what its name suggests: a type of domain that sits at the top level of the internet\'s domain name system. There are over a thousand TLDs available, but the most common include .com, .org, .net, and .edu. The official list of TLDs is maintained by an organization called the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) and can be viewed here. IANA notes that the list of TLDs also includes ccTLDs and gTLDs, which we\'ll discuss below.

Subdomains

Subdomains are useful because they don\'t require webmasters to purchase an additional web domain to create divisions within their site. Instead, they can create a subdomain that effectively points to a specific directory on the server. This can be very useful for campaign sites and other types of web content that need to be kept separate from the main site. For example, Facebook uses developers.facebook.com to provide specific information for web and application developers who want to use the Facebook API. Another good example is support.google.com.

How to Register a Web Domain

Different domain name providers use different systems, so while this answer covers the general process, it may vary slightly depending on the provider. You\'ll usually start by performing a domain search. Most internet domain providers will allow you to type in your desired domain and see if it\'s available. Here at Mox Networks, we also offer many suggestions for other possible domains, which can be helpful if the domain you want is already registered. From there, it\'s just a matter of completing the process of ordering and paying for your new domain. Once it\'s registered, you\'ll have access to a control panel with all the essential management tools.

Difference between a web domain and web hosting

Referring back to the beginning of this article, if a web domain is like your physical address, web hosting is like the physical building where the content is stored. Web domains are used to create a handy shortcut to link what visitors type into the address bar with the server used to host the website. They are completely digital and stored in a centralized database. Web hosting is a bit different because it requires a physical server located somewhere in the world and connected to the internet. It\'s essentially like a computer hard drive that stores all the files and databases of your website. It\'s called a server because it literally "serves" your website to your visitors. When you type a URL (for example, mox.cl) into your web browser, it sends a request to the specific server where your site is hosted. The server then uploads the files and transmits them over the internet to the device you are using, which in turn downloads and displays the files.

So, what is a web domain?

A web domain is essentially the web hosting equivalent of a postal address. Here\'s what you need to know: 1. A web domain is the postal address of your website. 2. They consist of a website name (like Mox) and a domain name extension (for example, .cl). 3. All domain registrations are overseen by ICANN. 4. Domains work by redirecting visitors to the appropriate server. 5. .com domains are the most popular, accounting for 48.5% of the web. 6. ccTLDs use country codes and designate geographic areas (for example, .cn or .es). 7. gTLDs are usually designed for specific use cases (e.g., .org for organizations). 8. Each domain registrar has a different subscription process. 9. You can use domain search engines to find available domains. 10. Domains can be transferred from one provider to another. 11. Servers are physical machines that store your website files. 12. If you need help, our support team will be happy to assist you.