What is a domain name? A simple explanation
A domain name is the address people type to reach a website, like google.co.in or yourbusiness.in. It's an easy-to-remember name that points to the numeric internet address (IP address) of the computer hosting the site.
The parts of a domain name
| Part | Example in shop.sharmasweets.co.in | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Top-level domain (TLD) | .in | The ending. Country codes like .in are ccTLDs; generic ones like .com are gTLDs. |
| Second level | .co | Under .in, there are categories like .co.in and .org.in. For most names, this is where your own word goes (sharmasweets.in). |
| Your name | sharmasweets | The part you choose and register. |
| Subdomain | shop | Optional prefixes you create yourself, for free, like shop. or blog. |
How a domain name works
Computers find each other using IP addresses, strings of numbers like 142.250.183.68. The Domain Name System (DNS) works like a phone book: when you type a domain, your device asks DNS servers which IP address it belongs to, then connects. It takes a fraction of a second.
Who is in charge of domain names?
- ICANN coordinates the global system and sets the rules for generic endings like .com.
- Registries run each ending. Verisign runs .com; NIXI (the National Internet Exchange of India) runs .in.
- Registrars like GoDaddy, BigRock or Namecheap sell names to the public.
- You, the registrant, hold the right to use the name for as long as you renew it.
Domain name vs website vs hosting
The domain is the address, hosting is the land your website sits on, and the website is the house. You can own a domain without a website, and move your website to a new host without changing the domain.
Domain name vs URL
A URL is the full address of a page, including the protocol and path: https://sharmasweets.in/menu. The domain is just sharmasweets.in.
Questions people ask
Do I own a domain name forever?
No. You rent it, usually a year at a time. As long as you renew, nobody else can register it.
Is a domain name the same as an email address?
No, but you can use your domain for email, like you@yourbusiness.in, through a service such as Google Workspace or Zoho Mail.
What's the difference between .in and .co.in?
.in is the main extension; .co.in is a second-level option originally meant for companies. Both are open to anyone. See .in vs .com vs .co.in.
Last updated October 18, 2026.
Keep reading
- How to choose a domain name17 rules from a domain investor, with Indian examples and a checklist.
- How to buy a domain name in IndiaStep by step: search, pay by UPI or card, KYC, and connect it to your website.
- .in vs .com vs .co.inWhich extension an Indian business should pick, and when to buy both.
- Every Indian domain extension.in, .co.in, .firm.in, .gen.in, .ind.in, restricted ones and .भारत.
- Domain name price in IndiaWhat .in and .com really cost in rupees, renewal traps and GST.
- Best domain registrars for IndiaHow the main registrars compare on renewal price, payment and support.