Glossary
The domain industry involves a wide range of terms and concepts that are essential for understanding how the digital world operates. Whether you're a domain reseller or simply interested in the domain name system (DNS), it's important to know the key terms used throughout the industry. Below is a glossary of common terms you should be familiar with.
Domain
A domain is the unique address of a website on the internet. It's the address you type into the browser to visit a website, such as "example.com."
Server
A server is a computer that stores website data and makes it available for access via the internet. It hosts files like HTML, images, and videos, allowing visitors to access websites.
Browser
A browser is software used to access websites on the internet. Popular browsers include Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Safari.
DNS (Domain Name System)
The DNS is the system that translates human-readable domain names (like "example.com") into machine-readable IP addresses. It ensures that visitors reach the correct website.
WHOIS
WHOIS is a protocol that allows you to look up domain registration information. It shows details like the domain owner's contact information, registration dates, and expiration dates.
TLD (Top-Level Domain)
A TLD is the last part of a domain name. Examples include ".com", ".org", ".net", and country-specific extensions like ".de" (Germany) or ".fr" (France).
SLD (Second-Level Domain)
The SLD is the part of a domain name directly before the TLD. In "example.com," "example" is the second-level domain.
Subdomain
A subdomain is a part of a domain that appears before the main domain name. For instance, "blog.example.com" has "blog" as a subdomain of "example.com."
Domain Transfer
A domain transfer is the process of moving a domain from one registrar to another. This is usually done when changing domain providers or resellers.
SEO (Search Engine Optimization)
SEO refers to the process of improving a website’s visibility on search engines like Google. It involves optimizing various factors such as keyword usage, on-page content, backlinks, and technical aspects like website speed and mobile responsiveness to rank higher in search results.
Domain Parking
Domain parking is the process of registering a domain name and then "parking" it without using it for a website or web service. Instead, the domain typically displays a "coming soon" message, advertisements, or promotional content.
Domain Forwarding
Domain forwarding, also known as URL forwarding, is the process of automatically redirecting visitors from one domain name to another. This is often used by businesses or individuals who own multiple domain names but want them all to point to a single website.
SSL (Secure Sockets Layer)
SSL is a security protocol that encrypts data transmitted between a web browser and a server. Websites with SSL certificates are often indicated by "https://" in the URL.
HTTPS (HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure)
HTTPS is the secure version of HTTP. It encrypts data sent between your browser and the website to ensure privacy and security.
Domain Reseller
A domain reseller is a business or individual who buys domains from a domain registrar and resells them to end-users. Resellers can offer additional services like website hosting and email solutions.
Domain Registrar
A domain registrar is a company authorized to sell and manage domain registrations. They are accredited by organizations like ICANN.
ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers)
ICANN is the global organization responsible for overseeing domain name systems, including managing TLDs and ensuring a stable and secure internet infrastructure.
Registry Operators / Registries
Registry operators or registries are organizations that manage and operate the databases of domain names for specific TLDs. For example, Verisign is the registry operator for .com domains.
API (Application Programming Interface)
An API is a set of rules and protocols that allows different software applications to communicate with each other. In the domain industry, APIs enable automated domain management and integrations.
JSON (JavaScript Object Notation)
JSON is a lightweight data format used for data exchange between servers and applications. It is easy for both humans to read and machines to parse, and it is commonly used in APIs.
Markups
Markups refer to the added costs or fees applied to the base price of a domain by registrars or resellers. These are necessary to cover business operations and offer services like customer support.