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A website domain is the unique URL you type into your web browser to access a specific web page. A website URL has a few parts:
Scheme or protocol
Subdomain
Domain name or second-level domain
Top-level domain (TLD)
Subdirectory or page path
Most people will mainly need to pay attention to their domain name, TLD, and page paths. Your domain name is the unique identifier for your website (“squarespace” in squarespace.com), whereas the TLD is the domain extension (like .com, .net, or .org), and the page path is a page on your website (like “/blog” in squarespace.com/blog).
While you probably don’t need to understand the nuances of what makes up a site URL, a custom domain name is valuable for any website. Choosing an identifiable domain name is a way to claim your space online and create a more professional online presence.
Benefits of a custom domain name
You don’t need to have a website to get a domain name or vice versa. But it’s important to give your website a domain name to make it easier for people to find and remember.
Having a custom domain name makes your website easier to find and discover online. A domain name that’s specific to you or your brand also makes your website feel more polished and professional than a randomized domain name.
If your domain name is the same as or associated with your own name or your brand’s name, then searches for either are more likely to surface your website.
How do domain names work?
Computers identify websites using a unique set of numbers called an IP address. When you get a domain name and connect it to your site you’re associating it with your website’s IP address, so people can remember the name or phrase instead of the string of numbers.
In the background, the Domain Name System (DNS) translates your domain back into an IP address for computers to direct site visitors to the right place across the internet. The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), a private nonprofit, manages much of this process.
How to choose a website domain
For most people, the simplest option is choosing a domain name that matches your own name or the name of your brand or business. Choosing your own name generally makes sense for a personal, freelance, or resume website, whereas the brand name generally makes sense for other types of websites.
However, it’s useful to have a list of backup options in case your ideal domain name is already taken or similar to a well-known business name. Do a domain name search to check if your preferred domain is available. If it’s not, try a variation on your name, try a different TLD, or match another common identifier for yourself, like your social media handle.
Get more tips on choosing your domain name
How to get a website domain
Claiming your domain name once you’ve chosen it is relatively straightforward. Once you’ve confirmed that your domain is available, you choose a domain provider, also known as a domain registrar.
You can choose your registrar by comparing details like convenience, included features, and price. Domains are carefully overseen by ICANN so you can trust the provider you choose.
From there, simply follow the registrar’s steps to claim your domain name and make your first payment. You may have options to add privacy protection (usually included for free) or register the domain for a longer period (which increases what you pay upfront). A standard domain name usually costs $20 or less per year.
If you end up wanting to change or edit your domain name, there’s usually a grace period to cancel your registration for a full refund. That grace period is five days for Squarespace Domains, so you can cancel and re-register a corrected or completely different domain.
Learn how to claim your domain name
What to do with your domain name
Once you have your domain name registered, you’re not quite finished. First, you’ll need to connect your new domain name to your website so that people can access your site using your chosen web address. You don’t have to pay for your domain and your web hosting from the same provider, but it can help you keep things organized.
There are a few more things you can do with your domain, depending on your needs.
Enable WHOIS privacy protection. If you didn’t select this option when you got your domain, it’s worth adding. WHOIS records owner information for registered domains, which is publicly available unless you opt to keep it private. This protection is often free.
Set up a domain email address. An email address customized with your domain name can look more polished. With a domain provider like Squarespace, you can also create aliases, like hello@ or help@, and have each forward to an inbox of your choice to help you stay organized.
Redirect your domain to another URL. This can be helpful if you want to push website visitors to a specific page, product, or piece of content—on your website or elsewhere. You forward your domain to any other URL and end forwarding at any time.
Transfer your domain. If you registered your domain with one provider but built your website on a platform that also offers domains, you can choose to transfer your domain to your website platform. You might start a transfer for easier management, pricing, or extra features.