A domain is a website's address, for example nordweb.fi. The words domain, domain name and web address are used interchangeably in everyday language, and they all mean the same thing.
What is a domain made of?
A domain name has two parts:
- The name, which you choose yourself, for example yourcompany.
- The ending, or TLD (top-level domain), for example .fi, .com or .eu. For a company operating in Finland, .fi is usually the most natural choice.
Together they form the address yourcompany.fi. The www at the start of the address is just an established subdomain, not part of the domain itself.
What is a domain needed for?
- A website. A domain guides visitors to your site with an easy to remember name instead of an IP number.
- Email. Your own domain lets you have addresses in the form firstname@yourcompany.fi. Read more email on your own domain.
- Brand and ownership. A registered domain name is the exclusive right of its holder for as long as it is renewed.
A short glossary
- DNS (Domain Name System) is the system that translates a domain name into a server's IP address.
- A name server is a server that tells where a domain's traffic is directed.
- The registrar, or reseller, is the company from which you get the domain. Finland's .fi domains are administered by Traficom, and registration is done through a reseller.
How do you get a domain?
First check whether the name you want is available, and then register it with a reseller. The whole process takes a few minutes and the domain is in use right away. If the name is already taken, read our guide: who owns a domain and what to do if the name is taken.
A domain is only an address, though. The website itself also needs server space, which we cover in the article what is web hosting.
Check whether the domain name you want is available and register it in a few minutes.