A domain name is your online identity. It’s how people find you, remember you, and connect with what you offer. But behind every domain name is a simple structure that often gets overlooked.
To choose the right domain name, you need to understand its key parts:
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The Top-Level Domain (TLD) like .com or .in
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The Second-Level Domain (SLD), like yourbrand in yourbrand.com
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And optional Subdomains, like blog.yourbrand.com
Understanding these parts of a domain helps you build a clear, memorable, and professional domain.
So, let’s break them down and find the one that best fits your brand.
Different Parts of a Domain Name
Every domain name is unique, just like a fingerprint for your website. It helps people (and computers) find you online.
When you type a domain into your browser, it connects to that website's exact location using the Domain Name System (DNS).
But before we get into all that, let’s first break down what a domain name is made of.
Top-level domain (TLDs)
A TLD is the last part of a domain name, like .org, .com, or .in. It tells users (and search engines) what kind of website it is or where it’s based.
Originally, .org for organizations, .com was for businesses, and .net for networks. But now, there are hundreds of options like .store, .tech, .online, or even country-specific ones like .uk or .ca.
When choosing a TLD, go for one that boosts your brand’s credibility. While .com is still the most popular, newer TLDs can help you stand out—especially if your preferred domain name is already taken.
Second-level domain (SLDs)
The second-level domain (SLD) is the part you see right before the top-level domain (TLD). For example, in www.dorik.com, dorik is the SLD.
This is usually the part people refer to when they talk about picking a domain name. It represents your brand and becomes what people remember about your site.
Pick an SLD that’s short, relevant to your brand, and easy to remember. It plays a big role in your online identity.
Subdomains (third-level domains)
A subdomain is an optional prefix that sits to the left of your main domain name, separated by a dot. It helps you organize different sections of your website into separate areas.
For example, in blog.example.com:
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blog is the subdomain
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example.com is your main domain
Common subdomains you'll see:
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www - the standard prefix most websites use
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blog - for your blog content
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shop - for online stores
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m or mobile - for mobile-optimized versions
Keep in mind: Subdomains create functionally separate websites, which means more maintenance and management.
Think of subdomains as creating different branches of your main website - useful for large organizations but often unnecessary for smaller sites.
Good Read: How much Does a Domain Name Cost
How to Choose the Best Domain Name for Your Website
Picking a domain name? It's one of those decisions that feels huge but doesn't have to stress you out. You can keep it simple and short, or go completely creative - both can work great.
I've looked at what actually works when people search for and remember websites, and there are some clear patterns that can help you out.
If you're still figuring out what is a domain name and how it all fits together, don't worry, I'll walk you through it.
Follow these easy steps to choose the right one.
Step 1: Keep It Short and Sweet
Shorter domain names are simply easier to remember. When someone hears your website mentioned in conversation, you want them to actually recall it later.
Think about the most popular websites - they're usually just one or two words. Try to keep your domain name under 10 characters if possible, and stick to 1-3 words max.
Step 2: Make It Easy to Remember & Spell
Your domain should roll off the tongue naturally. Imagine trying to tell someone about a website called "xcg52fvs.com" - good luck with that!
Pick something that describes what you do or represents your brand. Keep it pronounceable and avoid tricky spellings or foreign words that might confuse people.
Dorik AI is a great example. The founders took inspiration from "Doric" (ancient Greek architecture) but swapped the "C" for "K" to make it easier to say and find available domains. Simple change, big difference.
The goal is to make sure people can easily tell others about your site without having to spell it out letter by letter.
Step 3: Skip the Numbers and Hyphens
Hyphens and numbers make domain names harder to type and remember. When someone hears your website mentioned, they'll wonder: "Was it the number 2 or the word 'two'?" or "Did they say there was a hyphen in there?"
Even big brands avoid this confusion. Take PayPal - they could have gone with pay-pal.com, but paypal.com is much cleaner and easier to remember.
Keep it simple with just letters. Your visitors will appreciate not having to guess.
Pick the Right Domain Extension
You've got tons of domain extensions to choose from - .com, .org, .net, .ai, and hundreds more. But which one should you pick?
Go with .com if you can. It's what people expect and automatically type. When someone hears your website name, they'll likely add ".com" without thinking about it.
Other popular options:
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.org - great for nonprofits and organizations
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.net - often used by tech companies
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.ai - perfect if you're building AI tools
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.io - popular with startups and tech companies
Country codes like .us or .uk work well if you're targeting a specific location.
While your extension choice won't make or break your site, most successful brands stick with .com for a reason - it's familiar and trusted.
If .com isn't available for your name, these alternatives work fine, but .com should be your first choice.
Related Read: .com vs .org
Use the Best Domain Name Generator
Domain name generators can be lifesavers. Just type in a keyword and get hundreds of suggestions instantly, plus they'll show you which domains are actually available.
Here are two solid options:
GoDaddy's Domain Name Generator: Shows availability right away and lets you filter by length and extension type. Great for exploring different variations of your idea.
Shopify's Domain Name Generator: Clean, simple tool that gives you creative suggestions based on your keywords. Perfect when you need fresh inspiration.
These tools are great when your first choice is taken. They'll suggest alternatives you hadn't considered and show availability instantly.
Check Availability Before You Commit
Before falling in love with a domain name, check if it's actually available first. Use domain registrars like Namecheap, GoDaddy, or Domain.com to check availability and pricing.
Just enter your domain ideas and these platforms will show you what's available and how much it costs. Most domains can be registered monthly or yearly.
On a tight budget? Website builders like Dorik offer free domains to get you started online. You can always upgrade to a custom domain later when you're ready.
The key is checking early - nothing's worse than falling in love with a name that's already taken.
FAQs
What is the structure of a domain?
A domain name structure has three main parts separated by dots:
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Subdomain (like "www") - optional prefix
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Second-level domain (like "dorik") - your brand name
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Top-level domain (like ".com") - the extension
Put them together and you get a full domain like www.dorik.com.
Who owns a domain?
Whoever registered the domain first owns it, pretty simple. If you want to see who owns a specific domain, just use a WHOIS lookup tool. It shows you who registered the domain and when.
What is the first part of a domain?
The first main part of a domain is the second-level domain (SLD) - that's your actual website name before the extension. Like in "example.com," the word "example" is the SLD.
It's basically your brand name and what people remember about your site.
Wrap Up
Now you know what makes up a domain name and how to pick one that works for your business. Choose something short, memorable, and easy to spell - your future customers will thank you.
Once you've got your perfect domain, pair it with a solid website builder to bring your vision to life. Your domain is where your online story begins!
