Domain
Your website’s address online
A domain is the address under which a site is found on the internet, for example becode.sk. It serves as an easy-to-remember name instead of the numbers by which servers identify themselves. You register a domain and rent it, usually for a one-year period that you renew.
How a domain works
Every server on the internet has its own numeric address, a so-called IP address, which is hard to remember. A domain is its human-readable translation. When you type a website’s address into the browser, the DNS system translates it in the background into the matching IP address, and the browser connects to the right server.
A domain consists of several parts. The best known is the ending, the so-called top-level domain, for example .sk, .cz, or .com. Before it comes the name itself, which you choose. You register a domain with a registrar, and as long as you pay to renew it, it is yours.
How to choose a domain
A good domain is short, easy to remember, and captures your brand. Ideally it can be pronounced and dictated over the phone without trouble. Avoid awkward combinations, hyphens, and deliberate misspellings that customers find hard to recall.
When choosing an ending, consider where you do business. For the Slovak market .sk feels trustworthy, .cz for the Czech one. The .com ending suits international projects. Many companies register several endings at once to protect the brand and point them to the same site.
- Choose a short, memorable name tied to your brand.
- Pick an ending based on the market you operate in.
- Consider registering several endings to protect the brand.
- Check that the name doesn’t clash with another company’s trademark.
Domain, hosting, and brand
The domain is the address; hosting is the place that address points to. For the site to work, both services must be correctly connected. A domain is also an important part of your brand: it appears in your email address, on business cards, and in advertising, so it pays to choose it carefully and think about it for the long term.
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Explore our website developmentFrequently asked questions
What is the difference between a domain and hosting?
A domain is your website’s address that a customer types into the browser. Hosting is the space on a server where the site’s files are stored and where that address points. For a working site you need both, and they must be correctly connected to each other.
Which domain ending should I choose?
For business in Slovakia the .sk ending feels most trustworthy, and .cz in the Czech Republic. For international projects .com is a good fit. Many companies register several endings at once to protect the brand and redirect them to the main site.
Do I own a domain forever?
You don’t buy a domain permanently but rent it, usually for a year with the option to renew. As long as you pay to renew it, it is yours and no one else can use it. If you let the registration expire, the domain eventually becomes available to others.