--- title: "What is a domain name?" url: https://resahost.net/en/guides/what-is-a-domain-name/ canonical: https://resahost.net/en/guides/what-is-a-domain-name/ language: en description: "Understand domains, URLs, extensions and subdomains. Learn how to register a business address, retain control and connect it to your website and email." author: ResaHost author_url: https://resahost.net/en/contact/ related: - "Domains Choose an Available Domain Name for Your Business Read guide → — https://resahost.net/en/guides/choose-an-available-domain-name/" - "Domains Domains, DNS and SSL Explained for Business Owners Read guide → — https://resahost.net/en/guides/domains-dns-and-ssl-explained/" --- Domains 6 min read · Updated 08/2026 # What is a domain name? A domain is the registered name your business uses online, such as `resahost.net`. It provides a stable identity for your website and email even when the underlying hosting changes. The domain is not the website, and registering one does not automatically create pages or mailboxes. Think of it as the address around which you arrange those services. DNS connects the name to their technical destinations. ## Understand the parts of a web address Consider `https://www.example.com/services/?type=hosting`. | Part | Example | Meaning | | --- | --- | --- | | Scheme | `https://` | The browser uses HTTPS | | Hostname | `www.example.com` | The named destination | | Registered domain | `example.com` | The business's registered name in this example | | Subdomain | `www` | A name beneath the registered domain | | Extension | `.com` | The top-level domain | | Path | `/services/` | The resource requested from the site | | Query | `?type=hosting` | Additional information supplied with the request | The complete address is a URL. A website contains pages and other resources accessed through URLs. A path need not correspond to a physical folder; the application decides what to serve. For the connection between the name and the server, see [what DNS does](https://resahost.net/en/guides/what-is-dns/). ## Choose an extension for your audience A generic extension such as `.com` or `.net` can serve an international business. A country-code extension may fit a business focused on a particular national market. A `.eu` name may suit a European identity, subject to the registry's eligibility rules. Do not select an extension on the assumption that it guarantees credibility, email delivery or high search rankings. Customers need a name they recognise and can type correctly. Check registration eligibility and renewal pricing for the actual extension before ordering. If the obvious name is taken, consider a clear brand-related alternative rather than adding several confusing hyphens or unnecessary words. Our [available-domain guide](https://resahost.net/en/guides/choose-an-available-domain-name/) covers the checks before committing to a name. ## Registration is renewable control You register a domain for a period and renew it to retain it under the applicable rules. It is not a one-off purchase that remains yours indefinitely without maintenance. Make sure the registrant is the correct business or authorised owner. A designer or hosting partner can administer the domain, but the agreement should preserve your ability to recover access and move it. Use a monitored contact address, protect the account with strong authentication and record the renewal date. Keep recovery details available to more than one authorised person so the registration does not depend on a departed employee. ## Your website and email can share the name The website might use `www.example.com`, while people use `name@example.com` for email. Different DNS record types connect these to different services, so the mail provider need not be the web host. This also means a website migration does not inherently require changing email. Tell the new host about the current mail arrangement and preserve its records. See [business email on your own domain](https://resahost.net/en/guides/business-email-on-your-own-domain/) for the benefits and setup decisions. ## Decide how to use www and subdomains Choose a preferred public website address and configure the other common form to redirect appropriately. Both need working DNS and certificate coverage if customers may visit them. Browsers should not be relied on to fix an incomplete configuration automatically. Subdomains such as `support.example.com` can separate applications. They do not normally require another registration, but running the service behind them may cost extra. Use them for a clear purpose; [the subdomain guide](https://resahost.net/en/guides/when-to-use-subdomains/) explains the trade-offs. ## Keep the name when your suppliers change Before switching providers, distinguish a registrar transfer from a hosting move. You may only need to point the domain to a new web server. A registrar transfer may involve authorisation codes, locks, eligibility rules or waiting periods depending on the extension and circumstances. ResaHost's [domain management service](https://resahost.net/en/services/domains/) covers registration and renewals within the agreed service. Bring your current domain and account information to the conversation so the plan preserves your business identity, website and email throughout the change. Your website, taken care of. Hosting, domain, email and security in one agreement — from €69/month, excluding VAT. Choose hosting ![Olli Junes: Founder and CEO of ResaHost](https://resahost.net/assets/team/ollijunes.webp) Author Olli Junes: Founder and CEO of ResaHost Founder and CEO · ResaHost, Finland @resacolli LinkedIn ## Read next Domains ### Choose an Available Domain Name for Your Business Read guide → Domains ### Domains, DNS and SSL Explained for Business Owners Read guide →