What is a Domain Name?

A domain name is your website's unique address on the internet - the text people type into their browser to find your site (e.g., webcardiff.co.uk). It acts like a digital street address, making it easy for customers to find and remember your business online. Without a domain name, visitors would need to type in a long string of numbers (an IP address) to reach your website.

When someone types your domain name into their browser, the Domain Name System (DNS) translates it into an IP address - the numerical address of the server where your website is stored. This happens in milliseconds. Think of DNS as the internet's phone book: it matches human-friendly domain names to the technical addresses computers use to communicate with each other.

For UK businesses targeting UK customers, .co.uk is often the best choice as it immediately signals you are a British company, which builds trust with local customers. However, .com is ideal if you plan to expand internationally or want a more global image. Many businesses register both to protect their brand. If your preferred .co.uk is taken, .com is a perfectly acceptable alternative.

Standard domain names typically cost between £8-15 per year for .co.uk domains and £10-20 per year for .com domains. Premium or highly desirable domain names can cost significantly more - sometimes thousands of pounds. You will also pay renewal fees annually to keep your domain active. Some web hosting packages include a free domain for the first year.

A good domain name should be short, memorable, and easy to spell. Ideally, include your business name or a key service you offer. Avoid hyphens and numbers as they are easy to forget or mishear. Check that it is not too similar to existing brands to avoid confusion or legal issues. Test it by saying it aloud - if you need to spell it out, it might be too complicated.

Domain registration is like buying your business's street address - it gives you the right to use that web address. Web hosting is like renting the building at that address - it provides the server space where your website files actually live. You need both to have a working website: the domain name directs visitors, and hosting stores and serves your website content.

When a domain expires, your website and email connected to it stop working. Most registrars offer a grace period (typically 30-90 days) where you can renew at the normal price. After this, there is often a redemption period where you can recover it for a higher fee. Eventually, the domain becomes available for anyone to register - potentially a competitor. Always enable auto-renewal to avoid losing your domain.

You can register a new domain name at any time, but changing your primary domain has significant implications. You will lose any SEO value (search engine rankings) built up on the old domain unless you properly redirect it. Existing marketing materials, business cards, and customer bookmarks will point to the old address. While possible, it is best to choose your domain carefully from the start to avoid the hassle and cost of changing later.