DNS

The abbreviation DNS stands for Domain Name System. The Internet Society describes DNS as, “A global database that translates domain names.” For example, whatever your website address is, it’s then translated to internet addresses that are then used by computers to talk to each other.

In other words, it’s a bit like a phone book but for websites. Computers communicate with each other using a series of numbers. Each site boasts a different set of numbers that represent it. These numbers are called IP addresses. The numbers translate the website address a person enters into their computer and make it readable to a computer.

Where is a DNS stored?

The answer: On something called a root nameserver. Nameservers exist all around the world. They don’t store every single domain; instead, they only keep the top-level domains (TLD). A TLD is the part we see at the end of the website address such as .com, .org, co.uk, .gov, and so on.

Registering a Domain Name

When you’re setting up your online business, you’ll need a website. This platform must represent your company and for that to happen, you’ll need to register your company’s website domain name.

This may seem daunting if you’ve never done it before, however, it’s a pretty straightforward process as long as your chosen name hasn’t already been taken, in which case you may need to get creative. We’ve talked about numeric IP addresses, but your domain is essentially the words that represent the number. We use domain names instead of ID addresses because domain names are easier for us to remember.

If you’re looking to buy a domain name, popular domain name registrars include Namecheap and Hover. Whatever you do, ensure that you’re using a domain provider that’s trusted, well-reviewed, and doesn’t tie you in for years and years. The last thing you want to do is kickstart a venture, launch a website, and then if it falls through, be stuck in a contract.