FAQ

A domain name is the website address that you'd type on a browser's URL bar.  For example, nameonads.com.

Without domain names, the world would have to type IP addresses (e.g. 216.239.51.99) to visit a website. Can you imagine typing in a bunch of numbers just to visit popular sites like YouTube and Google?

• A domain name is merely the web address to the files that make up your website.
• A website is a combination of domain name + content + web hosting/website builder.

Some reasons include:

1. To separate different brands, subsidiaries, or geographic customers

For example, Google uses gmail.com for its email service, google.com for its search engine, youtube.com for its video social platform, and adsense.com for its ad publisher program.

In terms of locales, Google uses different ccTLDs (e.g. .co.uk, .com.au) for search engines users of different countries.

2. To ensure visitors who type a domain name wrongly won't be lost

Google redirects typo traffic from Googl.com to Google.com.

Logen redirects a common misspelling of his name, loganlanka.com to logenlanka.com.

3. To own a shorter acronym of their actual domain name, as it's easier for users to type

Barnes & Noble’s regular domain name is barnesandnoble.com. It also owns the BN.com, which it uses to direct to its main website. Facebook does the same with fb.com.

4. To have a descriptive keyword domain name for use in ad campaigns

Ad space is often limited. You're also competition with numerous billboards, classifieds, Google Ads, online bulletins, and more. A short descriptive keyword web address instantly tells people what the ad campaign and business is about, without guesswork.

5. To take advantage of generic keyword traffic

Barnes & Noble directs books.com to their main website. Believe it or not, some common dictionary words get type-in traffic online.

6. To take advantage of an aged domain name's SEO value and traffic

Some aged domain names were used by the previous owner for their websites. This means they may have backlinks, reputation, and existing traffic that is highly relevant.

As such, some businesses and SEOs (SEO experts) use aged domains to boost their existing websites' search rankings.

It depends on whether the domain name is a new registration or from the aftermarket. 

Newly registered domain names from domain name registrars are, of course, cheaper. Depending on the TLD, the price would vary. However, there are no more premium domain names left for new registrations of popular TLDs such as .com. 

An aftermarket domain name is one that is already registered by another entity. This could be an individual who has built a now defunct website or an investor of domain names.

Aftermarket domain names reflect the value the new owner would derive from using the domain name. It also incorporates cost of renewal and acquiring the domain name from other sources.