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Domain setup

When setting up a website, one of the first and most crucial steps is securing a domain name and configuring it properly. The domain name is your website’s online identity and plays an integral role in the website setup and its ability to propagate on the internet. Without a properly setting up a domain name, even the most beautifully designed website won’t be accessible to users. In this article, we’ll break down what domain setup involves, why it’s so critical, and how it affects your website’s performance and reach.

List of common domain extensions, and how they are used:

1. Generic Top-Level Domains (gTLDs)

These are the most widely used and include:

  • .com – The most popular and widely recognized extension, often used for commercial businesses and personal websites.
  • .net – Originally intended for network-related entities, but now used by a variety of websites.
  • .org – Typically used by non-profit organizations, but also used by other entities.
  • .info – Used for informational websites.
  • .biz – Generally used by businesses or commercial ventures.
  • .edu – Restricted to educational institutions (universities, schools).
  • .gov – Reserved for U.S. government entities.
  • .co – Initially for Colombia, but commonly used as an alternative to .com for businesses and startups.

2. Country Code Top-Level Domains (ccTLDs)

These are specific to countries or territories:

  • .us – United States
  • .uk – United Kingdom
  • .ca – Canada
  • .au – Australia
  • .de – Germany
  • .fr – France
  • .in – India
  • .jp – Japan
  • .cn – China

3. Sponsored Top-Level Domains (sTLDs)

These are specialized and typically intended for specific organizations or groups:

  • .aero – For the air transport industry.
  • .museum – For museums.
  • .coop – For cooperatives.
  • .int – For international organizations.

4. New Generic Top-Level Domains (new gTLDs)

These were introduced in recent years to add variety and flexibility:

  • .tech – For technology-related sites.
  • .blog – For blogs or blogging platforms.
  • .store – For eCommerce websites.
  • .online – For general use, often for online businesses.
  • .app – For application-related websites.
  • .design – For design professionals or agencies.
  • .io – Popular with tech startups (originally for British Indian Ocean Territory).
  • .tv – Originally for Tuvalu, now used by media or entertainment companies.

5. Infrastructure Top-Level Domains (iTLDs)

These are domain extensions reserved for infrastructure purposes:

  • .arpa – Used for technical infrastructure and is managed by the IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force).