What Is a Domain Name? A Complete Guide to How Domains Work

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Every website on the internet has an address,  a unique name that helps users find it easily. That name is called a domain name.

From small businesses to global brands, a domain name is the foundation of every online identity. But what exactly is it, how does it work, and what do parts like “TLD” and “SLD” mean?

Let’s explore everything you need to know about domain names and how FastHostCity helps you register and manage yours.

What Is a Domain Name?

A domain name is the human-readable address of a website on the internet.
It’s what users type into their browser’s address bar to visit a site for example:

www.fasthostcity.com

Computers communicate using IP addresses (like 192.168.1.1 or 2606:4700:4700::1111), which are difficult to remember.
The Domain Name System (DNS) converts those numerical addresses into easy-to-read domain names just like a phonebook that translates names into phone numbers.

So, instead of typing a long IP number, you simply type fasthostcity.com, and the DNS directs you to the correct web server.

The Parts of a Domain Name

A domain name is made up of several levels or segments, separated by dots (.).
Each level serves a specific purpose in the naming hierarchy.

Example:

mail.blog.fasthostcity.com

Let’s break it down 👇

Part Example Full Name Description
Root Domain (the dot at the end, implied) Root The top of the DNS hierarchy, represented by a final dot . (e.g., fasthostcity.com.). Usually hidden in browsers.
Top-Level Domain (TLD) .com Top-Level Domain The extension that follows the final dot, identifying the type or location of the website.
Second-Level Domain (SLD) fasthostcity Second-Level Domain The unique name you register — it represents your brand or organization.
Subdomain mail or blog Subdomain Optional prefix that helps organize different sections or services of a site.

So, in mail.blog.fasthostcity.com:

  • com = TLD
  • fasthostcity = SLD
  • blog and mail = Subdomains

The TLD (Top-Level Domain)

The Top-Level Domain (TLD) is the rightmost part of a domain name , everything that comes after the last dot. It tells users and search engines what type of site it is, or where it’s located.

Example:

  • .com : Commercial businesses
  • .org : Organizations (often nonprofits)
  • .edu : Educational institutions
  • .uk : United Kingdom (country-code domain)

There are several categories of TLDs, managed by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN).

Types of TLDs

1. gTLD: Generic Top-Level Domains

These are the most common and globally recognized TLDs.

Examples:

  • .com : Originally for commercial sites, now used universally
  • .net : Network services and technology companies
  • .org : Nonprofits, open-source projects, communities
  • .info : Informational websites
  • .biz :Business or commercial entities

Modern gTLDs also include hundreds of newer extensions like:

  • .app, .store, .tech, .online, .blog, .xyz

These newer domains are often used for branding and creativity.

2. ccTLD – Country-Code Top-Level Domains

These two-letter TLDs represent specific countries or territories.

Examples:

  • .uk : United Kingdom
  • .us : United States
  • .ca : Canada
  • .ng : Nigeria
  • .de : Germany
  • .in : India
  • .jp : Japan
  • .cm : Cameroon

Many businesses use ccTLDs to target local audiences or establish a regional presence.
For example, shop.co.uk appeals to UK customers, while brand.in focuses on India.

3. sTLD – Sponsored Top-Level Domains

These are specialized domains managed by private organizations or government entities for specific communities.

Examples:

  • .edu : Accredited educational institutions (sponsored by EDUCAUSE)
  • .gov : U.S. government agencies
  • .mil : U.S. military organizations
  • .aero : Aviation industry
  • .museum : Museums and cultural institutions

sTLDs have strict eligibility requirements  not everyone can register them.

4. nTLD – New Top-Level Domains

These are recently introduced domain extensions created to expand options and improve branding flexibility.

Examples:

  • .shop, .store : E-commerce sites
  • .tech, .cloud : Technology-related businesses
  • .design, .studio, .art : Creative professionals
  • .city, .homes, .life, .space : Thematic or lifestyle domains

nTLDs allow brands to create memorable, niche-specific names — like fashion.store or travel.blog.

The SLD (Second-Level Domain)

The Second-Level Domain is the most important part — it’s the name you actually choose and register.

In fasthostcity.com, the SLD is fasthostcity.

It represents your brand, business, or identity, and is what people remember most.
When you register a domain, you’re primarily registering the SLD — the TLD (.com, .net, etc.) just determines what namespace it belongs to.

The Subdomain

A subdomain is a subdivision or extension of your main domain name.
It helps organize different sections or services of your website.

Examples:

  • blog.fasthostcity.com : Blog section
  • mail.fasthostcity.com : Mail server (e.g., for FastHostCity email hosting)
  • shop.fasthostcity.com : Online store

Subdomains are configured via your DNS settings and can point to different servers or directories.

How Domains and DNS Work Together

The Domain Name System (DNS) connects your domain name to your website or email server.
When someone types www.yourdomain.com, DNS:

  1. Looks up the domain’s DNS records.
  2. Finds the IP address of the web or mail server.
  3. Routes the user or email to the correct destination.

That’s how a human-friendly name like mail.domain.tld translates to a machine-readable IP address.

Registering a Domain with FastHostCity

At FastHostCity, registering a domain is simple and instant.
You get:

  • Your own unique domain name (yourbusiness.com)
  • Custom mail server (mail.yourbusiness.com)
  • Secure webmail access (yourdomain.tld/roundcube)
  • Full DNS management and hosting integration

Having your own domain doesn’t just give you a website, it gives you a complete digital identity for your business or brand.

Summary: The Layers of a Domain Name

Layer Example Description
Root Domain (.) The top of the DNS hierarchy, usually invisible
Top-Level Domain (TLD) .com The domain extension (e.g., .com, .org, .net, .uk)
Second-Level Domain (SLD) fasthostcity The name you register — represents your brand
Subdomain mail, blog Optional prefix for different site sections or services

Final Thoughts

A domain name is more than just a web address — it’s your brand’s home on the internet.
By understanding how domains are structured (TLD, SLD, subdomain) and choosing the right extension, you build credibility and make your online presence easy to find.

With FastHostCity, you can:

  • Register your domain instantly
  • Set up professional email (e.g., info@yourdomain.com)
  • Access webmail via https://yourdomain.tld/roundcube
  • Manage everything from one powerful hosting dashboard

Claim your domain name today and start building your online identity with FastHostCity.