A domain name is the name of a website and typically consists of a top-level and second-level domain. A top-level domain (TLD) is the part of the domain name located to the right of the dot, with the most common TLDs being .com, .net and .org as they can be registered by anyone. A second-level domain (SLD) is the part of the domain name located to the left of the dot. For example, the SLD in ‘coolexample.com’ is ‘coolexample’.

In addition to this – since web browsers need IP addresses to communicate with each other – each domain name has a unique IP address assigned to it, much like a street address. When someone enters your domain name into a web browser, the Domain Name System (DNS) translates it into its associated IP address, allowing the browser to locate it and then show you the website associated with it. If you own a business, GoDaddy can help you find a domain name that best suits the business so you can easily promote your website.