Tilda Education
What Is a Domain Name
& How To Register One
Learn why every website needs a domain name, and how to register, set up, and test one
Nov 13, 2025
9 min
Сontents:
What Is a Domain & Why Do You Need One
A domain name is the readable address of your website that replaces a long string of numbers (an IP address). For example, instead of typing 192.0.2.1, users can simply type mysite.com.
Think of it like a street address. To invite someone over, you don't send them GPS coordinates, you share your street name and house number. The same logic applies online: Instead of sharing a technical IP address, you give people an easy-to-remember domain name.
Domains are often confused with URLs. A domain is just one part of a URL.
An URL consists of:
- Protocol (e.g., https) — the communication rules your browser uses to connect to a website.
- Domain name (e.g., tilda.cc) — the website's main address.
- Path (e.g., /projects/) — the specific page you want to reach.
In your browser, you might see the domain tilda.education, but when you click on it, the full URL expands to https://tilda.education.
Domain Levels: What They Are & Why They Matter
A domain isn't just a random set of letters—it's structured in levels, separated by dots.
Top-Level Domain (TLD)
This is the last part of a domain. In mysite.com, the TLD is .com.
Types TLDs:
- Country-code (.us, .de, .es) — tied to a specific country or region.
- Generic (.com, .org, .net) — originally meant for certain purposes but now widely available.
- Sponsored (.shop, .blog, .design) — emphasize the niche or focus of a project.
The TLD you choose can impact how trustworthy your website looks. For example, .gov is reserved for government institutions, and .edu is used by accredited universities.
Second-Level Domain (SLD)
This is the unique name you create. In mysite.com, the word mysite is the SLD.
This part defines your brand's memorability—shorter, clearer names are always easier to remember.
Subdomain
A subdomain adds an extra section to the left of the main domain. For example, blog.mysite.com. In this case, the first word (blog) is a subdomain.
Common examples:
- shop.mysite.com — an online store
- support.mysite.com — help center
- events.mysite.com — event hub
Subdomains help organize content and scale your website without buying new domains.
How To Register a Domain
Step 1. Choose a registrar
A registrar is a company accredited by ICANN or national registries. Popular global options include GoDaddy, Namecheap, and Google Domains.
Pick a trusted provider with transparent pricing and reliable customer support. Pay attention to renewal fees, not just the initial cost.
Step 2. Check availability
Enter your desired name on the registrar's website. The system will tell you if it's available in your chosen TLDs. If not, you'll get suggestions for similar options or different TLDs.
It's smart to check multiple extensions (.com, .net, .online, etc.) and secure the best fit for your project. It takes a couple of minutes.
If you're new to no-code solutions, use this exclusive promo code to get one month of the Tilda Personal Plan instead of the standard 2-week trial.
See instructions on how to activate it
Step 3. Complete your order
Add the available domain to your cart and select the registration period (1-10 years). It's best to enable auto-renewal so you don't lose ownership.
Optional add-ons include WHOIS privacy protection, which hides your personal contact details from public databases.
Proceed to checkout and pay by card, PayPal, or another preferred method.
Step 4. Fill in your contact details
ICANN requires registrants to provide accurate information (name, organization, and address). If the details are incorrect, your domain may be suspended.
Double-check everything before confirming. An incorrect entry can result in losing control of your domain.
With WHOIS privacy enabled, your personal data will stay hidden.
How To Set Up Your Domain
After registration, you'll need to connect your domain to a hosting provider or a website builder (such as Tilda) that includes hosting.
Each registrar has its own setup process, usually found in the "DNS settings" or "Zone Management" section. Here, you configure where traffic to your domain should be directed.
The most important step: Make sure your DNS records are entered correctly. If they're set up right, your website, email, and other connected services will run smoothly.
How To Check If Your Domain Is Connected & Working Correctly
Check DNS settings. After registration, make sure your DNS records are set up correctly. The easiest way is to use a DNS lookup tool like whatismydns.net.
Keep in mind: Changes can take up to 72 hours to propagate. If you've just connected your domain, don't rush to fix anything—it might just need more time.
Check the SSL certificate. Modern browsers flag websites without HTTPS as insecure. Look for the little padlock icon next to your domain name in the browser. Alternatively, you can use an SSL online-checker tool. It will give you a detailed report on your certificate's configuration and security.
If a website is missing an SSL certificate, or it has expired, some browsers may block visitors from entering or show a full-page warning.
Monitor uptime. Use monitoring services like UptimeRobot to track your website's availability. If your website goes down or DNS stops responding, you'll get an instant alert via email or messaging apps. That way, you can react quickly and minimize downtime.
Check email. If you've connected email to your new domain, send a test message to something like info@yourdomain.com and wait for a reply. If it bounces or doesn't arrive, review your MX and SPF/TXT records. Tools like MXToolbox can help diagnose issues and highlight warnings.
How To Find Out Who Owns a Domain
A WHOIS lookup lets you see who owns a domain and when it was registered. You can check this via icann.org or through most domain registrars.
The database usually includes details such as:
- Registrar (the company where the domain was purchased)
- Registration date
- Expiration date
- Last update
Some owners enable WHOIS privacy, which hides personal details and shows registrar contact information instead. In that case, you'll need to submit an official request to the registrar to reach the domain owner.
If WHOIS data is private, check the website itself—often the "Contact" or "About" page has an email address, phone number, or contact form.
In case of legal disputes (like trademark or copyright violations), you can file a complaint under the UDRP (Uniform Domain-Name Dispute-Resolution Policy). The registrar will review the case and may suspend the domain until the issue is resolved. It's a complex but effective measure if your brand is being misused.
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