{"id":23378,"date":"2019-08-29T06:08:27","date_gmt":"2019-08-29T11:08:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hostgator.com\/blog\/?p=23378"},"modified":"2019-08-28T14:29:58","modified_gmt":"2019-08-28T19:29:58","slug":"url-vs-domain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hostgator.com\/blog\/url-vs-domain\/","title":{"rendered":"URL vs. Domain"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

It\u2019s time to get your dream domain name<\/a> and start building your very first website. But, there\u2019s only one issue. There are so many different technical terms; it can be challenging to figure out what you need and what you don\u2019t need before you can begin with your domain registration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are a lot of technical steps you\u2019ll need to take to lay the foundation for your online presence. With each of these steps come dozens of technical terms, ready to trip you up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Two of those you\u2019ve probably come across are a domain name and a URL. Often, you\u2019ll see these referring to the same thing, but they\u2019re actually different things. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t worry. This post will clear up all the differences and similarities between URLs vs. domain names, so you can get on finding a domain name and building out your new site. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Below you\u2019ll learn about the differences between a URL vs. domain names, why they\u2019re used, and their different applications, so that you can set up your domain and website the right way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s dig in!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"register<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

What Is a URL?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

URL stands for Universal Resource Locator, but you almost always hear it being referred to as a URL.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you look up at your browser address bar, you\u2019ll see the entire URL is displayed. It includes all of the information necessary to locate the right page on a website. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, the entire URL for this blog is https:\/\/www.hostgator.com\/blog\/url-vs-domain\/ <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll notice that the domain name (hostgator.com) is included in the URL. But, it\u2019s just one piece of the entire URL. You can think of the URL as a map that your browser can follow to access the right page, resource, or image on the web server. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The critical components of a URL include a domain extension<\/a> or Top Level Domain (TLD), a domain name, and the Secure Hypertext Transfer Protocol, which is '\u02dchttps:\/\/.\u2019 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Is a Domain Name?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A domain name might seem simple, but it\u2019s not that easy of a thing, especially if you\u2019re just getting started online. Domain names exist to make the websites more accessible to you and your visitors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Put simply, a domain name<\/a> is the address that you\u2019ll type in the address bar to access a website. For example, the domain name for this website is hostgator.com<\/em>, while the domain name for Google is google.com<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Domain names are a critical part of your online brand and should be memorable to your visitors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To have a website that\u2019s accessible by regular web users, you need a domain name and a host. When a visitor types in your domain name into their address bar, the web browser will communicate with the host that the domain points towards and will serve the visitor the associated website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If that sounds a little complex, let\u2019s look at this example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Think of your domain name as your cell phone number. When someone wants to reach you, they dial your number, and you hear it ring on your physical phone. In this scenario, your phone number is the domain, and your cell phone is your website. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can also purchase a domain name without actually building an associated website. Some people make a living by buying and selling domain names<\/a> in a process known as domain flipping. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Understanding Domain Name Organization<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Now that you have a better grasp on what a domain name is, let\u2019s look at some of the individual pieces that make up a domain name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most common point of confusion is the Top Level Domain (TLD)<\/a>, or domain extension. This is the .com, .org, or .net that follows your domain. You might have thought up your dream domain name, but when you search to see if it\u2019s available, you find that your TLD of choice isn\u2019t available<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Generally, .com, .org, and .net are the most popular and widely used domain extensions. But, you also have TLDs that relate to specific local markets and countries like .co.uk, .ca, and .com.au. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

During your domain name search, you\u2019ll also see that there are dozens of other TLDs available. Generally, you\u2019ll want to stick with the ones that are most popular and avoid ones that are associated with less trusted websites, like .info.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But, it\u2019s up to your discretion. Some websites even prefer to use fun and unique TLDs<\/a>, because it makes sense with their branding. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Regardless, whenever you\u2019re purchasing a domain name, it\u2019s a smart move to purchase any of the other popular TLDs that are available. This secures your brand online, protecting you from the fearsome scenario of your competitor building a site on '\u02dcyoursite.net<\/em>\u2019 when your domain name is '\u02dcyoursite.com<\/em>.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Is the Domain Name System?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another related term you\u2019ve probably come across is the Domain Name System (DNS). This is how domain names and IP addresses are translated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you type a domain name into a browser, the DNS will translate that domain into the IP address of the web server where the website files are located. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is one of the main reasons that domain names exist, to make it possible to access websites with easily memorable names. Before the DNS system you\u2019d have to remember the IP address<\/a> of any given website if you wanted to access a site. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The DNS system makes it so we can type '\u02dchostgator.com<\/em>\u2019 into our browsers and visit this site, instead of having to type in a complex and difficult to remember string of numbers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Subdomains Relate to Domain Names<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the final aspects of a domain name is subdomains. These can get a little confusing, especially if it\u2019s your first time building a website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Essentially, a subdomain<\/a> is an additional part of your primary domain name. Subdomains are commonly used to help separate and organize certain parts of your website. A subdomain will come before your primary domain name, like the blog in '\u02dcblog.mysite.com<\/em>.\u2019 You can create as many subdomains as you like for your primary domain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, you can access the support resources here at HostGator by navigating to '\u02dcsupport.hostgator.com<\/em>.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subdomains are used for a variety of reasons, but here are some of the common reasons why you might create a subdomain<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n