A domain name is a name that identifies one or more IP addresses on the Internet. The domain name is used as part of a web page's URL to identify the page. All web pages must either have their own domain or be hosted on someone else's as part of a shared domain. Registering a specific domain can provide a shorter URL for users and increase a page's visibility.
Structure
A domain name is usually a word or phrase, and shorter domains are considered easier to remember. The word or phrase is then followed by a dot, and a two or three letter extension, or top-level domain. Top-level domains include .com, .net and .org, as well as country-specific extensions like .us and .uk. The correct top-level domain for a site will depend on its content. Some are restricted to specific types of organizations or sites.
Registrars
Every domain name must be connected to a registrar--a company or organization that supplies domain names for a fee. All domain name applications are submitted through one of these registrars. These organizations also handle renewal, transfer and termination of registrations for individual users. It is impossible to register a domain name without the help of a registrar, but there are many available to choose from. Price, terms and contract duration may vary significantly among individual registrars.
Process
Registering for a domain name is simple. After the registrant, or person applying for the domain name, has chosen the desired domain, a registration request is submitted. This request includes the desired domain name, the registrant's physical address, telephone number, email address, payment information and the desired registration term. Once the registrar has all this information, it sends the request to the registry. The registry puts all contact and region information into the master servers. Once all information has been updated, the domain is registered and ready for use.
Privacy
Domain registration requires the registrant to provide a host of personal information, including name, phone number and physical address. These are publicly accessible in the registry database, unless the registrant requests a private registration. Private registrations may cost more than public ones, but permit only the registrant's name to appear in the database, rather than a full contact profile.
Considerations
Not all domain names may be registered on request. People requesting names that are trademarks of other businesses, or people choosing domain names that are very similar to a trademark or existing domain name may have their requests denied. If ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers), which regulates domain names, suspects a registrant of buying names for financial gain, it may also deny requests. Once a domain name has been granted, ICANN will withdraw the right to that registration.