What Is Domain Name?
A domain name is the human-readable address of a website — what people type into their browser's address bar to visit a specific site. It's structured as a hierarchy: the top-level domain (TLD) like .com comes last, preceded by the second-level domain (SLD) like 'google,' optionally preceded by subdomains like 'www' or 'mail.'
Domain names must be unique — no two websites can have the same domain name. This scarcity is what gives domain names their value as digital assets. Once a domain is registered, it's unavailable to anyone else until the registration expires or the owner transfers it.
Registration is done through domain registrars (like Dynadot, Namecheap, or GoDaddy) and typically costs $10–$15 per year for standard names on common TLDs. Premium or aftermarket names can cost from hundreds to millions of dollars.
Why This Matters for Startups
Your domain name is your startup's permanent address on the internet. Unlike a social media handle that exists on someone else's platform, a domain is yours as long as you keep it registered. Choose a domain that's short, memorable, easy to spell when heard, and free of trademark conflicts. It's one of the few startup assets that can actually appreciate in value over time.
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