Running a website can get confusing, especially when you’ve got all this terminology thrown at you. So in order to help you out, I’m starting a new series called Website 101. I’ll be going through all the basics (and eventually not-so-basics) of websites in easy to understand terms. First up, domain names.

What is a domain name?

A domain name is the address at where your website resides. Similar to how a house’s address (i.e. 123 Main Street) tells people where they can find your house, a domain (i.e. http://yourdomain.com) tells people where they can find your website.

Why should I buy one?

You should buy a domain if you want a professional looking web address that is easy to remember.

Where can I buy one?

You purchase a domain through a domain registrar. Some popular ones include NameCheap (affiliate link + my personal favorite) and GoDaddy. You can even purchase one through your host when you’re buying hosting.

How much does it cost?

Domains are pretty cheap, typically running $10-$15 a year. However, some domains that are in demand could be hundreds, thousands, or even millions of dollars! The most expensive domain name ever sold, vacationrentals.com, sold for a whopping $35 million.

Anything else I need to know?

When purchasing a domain, I would suggest spending a few extra dollars for private registration (sometimes called WhoIsGuard). Without it, anyone can look up your domain and find out your name, address, phone number, etc.

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