Welcome to the world of domains! As the internet continues to grow and evolve, understanding the language of domain names has become increasingly important. Whether you’re starting an online business or creating a personal website, familiarity with the industry’s terminology can be the key to success. In this domain glossary, we’ve broken down the most common domain lingo and meanings to help you navigate the industry with ease and confidence.

Understanding Domain Basics

Definition of a Domain

Also referred to as a web address, a domain is a unique name that identifies a website on the internet. It is what users type into their Internet navigator’s address bar to access the website. 

The Role of DNS in Domain Names

The Domain Name System (DNS) is responsible for translating domains into IP addresses that computers can understand. When you enter a domain into your address bar your computer sends a request to a Domain Name System server to resolve the domain into a unique numeric location sequence. 

Top-Level (TLD) and Second-Level Domain (SLD) Names

The TLD is the rightmost label in a domain name. Examples include .com, .org, .net, and .edu. The SLD is the label to the left of the TLD, such as “google” in “google.com.”

Domain and Hosting Providers

Companies that supply services related to domain and website hosting. These suppliers offer various plans, including domain registration, services for managing websites and email, and website builder tools.

Common Domain Terminology

Domain Glossary: List of Common Domain Terms and Definitions

A Record

A type of DNS record that connects a domain to an IP address, allowing the domain to be accessed by a browsing application.

Billing Contact

The billing contact is the individual or organisation responsible for paying the registration fees for a domain.

CAA Record

A CAA record is a DNS record that allows a domain owner to specify which certificate authorities are authorised to issue SSL certificates for their domain.

ccTLD

ccTLD stands for country code top-level domain. These are domains that are reserved for specific countries, such as .co.za for South Africa,  .ca for Canada, or .au for Australia.

CNAME Record

A CNAME record is a type of DNS record that allows a domain to be linked to another domain, allowing the website to be accessed through either domain.

DKIM Record

A DKIM record is a type of DNS record that allows a domain owner to digitally sign their electronic mail, making sure that the mail is not forged or modified in transit.

DNS

An acronym which stands for Domain Name System. It is a system that translates domains into IP addresses, allowing computers to link to websites through a web browser.

Domain

A unique name that identifies a website on the internet. It typically consists of a name and an extension, such as .com or .org.

Domain and Email Forwarding

The process of redirecting a domain to another domain or web page, allowing visitors to access the content of one site through another domain. Email forwarding allows you to receive email messages sent to your site and have them pushed to your personal email account. 

Domain Bidding

The process of placing a bid on a domain name that is up for sale, with the goal of buying it for a specific price.

Domain Extension

The part of a domain that comes after the dot, such as .com or .org. Different extensions are reserved for different purposes.

Domain Flipping

The practice of purchasing a domain with the intention of selling it later for a profit. See also: domain parking.

Domain Life Cycle

The sequence of stages and events that a domain name undergoes from its initial registration to eventual expiration or renewal, encompassing domain bidding, acquisition, ownership, and potential resale. Learn more about the stages of the domain life cycle.

Domain Name

The unique name that identifies a website on the internet (e.g. google.com)

Domain Parking

The practice of ordering a domain without using it for a website, with the intention of selling it later or generating advertising revenue. Learn more making money using domain parking.

Domain Privacy

Domain privacy is a service offered by many domain companies that allows domain owners to hide their personal information from public WHOIS records.

Domain Registrar / Provider

A company that offers domain registration services. The company is authorised to register domains with the appropriate domain registry.

Domain Registry

A centralised database of all registered domains, and is responsible for managing the distribution and maintenance of domain names.

Domain Renewal

The process of extending the registration period for a domain, ensuring that the domain remains active and accessible.

Domain Transfer

The process of moving a domain from one domain company to another.

Grace Period

The grace period is a period of time after a domain expires, during which the domain owner can still renew the domain without penalty.

gTLD

gTLD stands for global top-level domain. These are domains that are not blocked off for specific countries, such as .com, .org, or .net.

HTTP / HTTPS

HTTP and HTTPS are protocols used to transfer data between web servers and browsing applications. HTTPS is a secure version of HTTP that uses encryption to protect sensitive information.

ICANN

An acronym which stands for Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers. It is a nonprofit organisation that is responsible for managing and coordinating the Internet’s domain name system. Its functions include managing TLDs, accrediting and regulating domain suppliers, and resolving disputes between parties over domains.

IP Address (Internet Protocol)

A unique identifier assigned to each device connected to the internet, allowing them to communicate with other devices.

MX Record

A type of DNS record that specifies which message transfer agent is responsible for accepting electronic messages on behalf of a domain.

Name Server

A system that translates human-readable domain names, like google.com, into machine-readable IP addresses, like 172.217.1.46, allowing devices to access websites and other resources on the internet.

Primary Domain

The main and most important domain associated with a website or web project.

Register a Domain

The process of purchasing a domain name from a domain registrar in order to use it for a website or other online project.

Root Domain

The main domain of a website (e.g. example.com).

SPF Record

A type of DNS record that specifies which IP numbers or mail servers are authorised to send electronic messages on behalf of a particular domain.

SSL Certificate

A digital certificate that helps to ensure secure communication between a web server and a browser by encrypting data.

Subdirectory

A subfolder within a website’s root directory that can be used to organise and categorise content.

Subdomain

A secondary domain name that is associated with a primary domain name and can be used to direct visitors to a specific section or subdirectory of a website.

SLD (Second-Level Domain)

The letters that appear before the top-level domain in a domain name, such as “example” in “example.com”.

Technical Contact

The person or organisation responsible for the technical administration of a domain, such as managing DNS records and configuring servers.

TLD (Top-Level Domain)

The highest level of the domain system hierarchy, which usually consists of generic TLDs like .com, .net, .org, and country-specific TLDs like ‘ca’ for Canada. View the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) full TLD database.

TLS Certificate

A type of digital certificate that helps to guarantee secure communication between a web server and a browsing application by encrypting data.

TXT Record

A type of DNS record that can be used to include additional text information about a domain.

URL

An acronym for Uniform Resource Locator, it’s the location of a website or web page that specifies the destination of a resource on the internet.

Web Address

Another term for a URL, it’s the unique location used to find a web page or website on the internet.

WHOIS

A searchable database that contains information about domain name registrants, including their contact information, the date the domain was registered, and its expiration date.

ZARC (formerly ZACR)

The ZA Registry Consortium (ZARC) – previously known as the ZA Central Registry (ZACR) – is a non-profit organisation that operates as the registry for a number of domain extensions within the .za namespace, including .co.za, .org.za, and .net.za. 

ZADNA

ZADNA stands for the ZA Domain Name Authority, a non-profit organization that oversees the administration of the .za country code TLDs.

In Summary

Understanding domain terms is essential for anyone who owns a website or is interested in registering a domain. This article has covered the most common vocabulary related to domains, including their structure, how they are managed, and the role of DNS. With this glossary, you should have a better understanding of the domain industry and be able to navigate it with more confidence.

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