‘What is a domain?’ is a question we often get asked by clients who are setting up a new business, or by established businesses who have decided it’s time to get a website. It’s easy to see why; domains, DNS, email records… it can all sound a bit more complicated than it needs to be. So, let’s keep it simple…
First things first: what is a domain? 🤔
Put simply, your domain is your business’s address on the internet. For example, ours is purplecs.com. It’s the name people type into their browser to find your website, but it can also be used for other things, including your business email.
Think of it a bit like your business’s signpost on the internet. When someone types your domain into their browser, it tells the internet where they want to go. Just like having a business address gives customers somewhere to find you in the real world, having your own domain gives your business a professional home online.
Your domain isn't just for your website
A common misconception is that a domain is only needed for a website. In reality, it can be used for lots of different services. One of the most useful is business email; instead of sending emails from something like ‘yourbusiness@gmail.com’, you can use an address such as ‘hello@yourbusiness.com’.
It’s a small change, but it makes your business look more established and gives you an email address that belongs to your business, rather than a free email provider.
Your domain can also be used for things like newsletters, online services, secure connections and business phone systems…
What about newsletters and email security?
This is where things get a little more technical - but don’t worry, you don't need to understand all of it, that’s what we’re here for!
If you use a platform such as Mailchimp or Brevo to send marketing emails, your domain can be connected and verified with the platform. This helps show email providers that the messages really are being sent on behalf of your business. That matters because email providers are constantly trying to stop spam, scams and fake emails from reaching people’s inboxes.
You may or may not have come across terms such as SPF, DKIM and DMARC. These are different ways of helping to prove that your emails are legitimate and are being sent from an authorised source.
So, where does DNS come in?
Behind the scenes, your domain uses something called DNS, or the Domain Name System. You don't need to remember that name, but it’s essentially the system that tells the internet what to do with your domain. Think of it as a set of instructions attached to your domain; some of those instructions tell the internet where your website is hosted. Others tell it where your emails should go, or help verify that a particular service is allowed to use your domain.
There are different types of DNS records for different jobs, including A, CNAME, MX and TXT records. It can look a little like alphabet soup when you first come across it, but each record has a purpose.
Domains can do more than you might think
Your domain can also be used for internal business services. For example, a business might use its domain as part of a VPN (Virtual Private Network), allowing employees to securely connect to the company network when they're working remotely.
It can also be used for an internal company intranet, giving employees access to information and systems that aren't available to the general public. These are the sorts of things that happen behind the scenes, so you may never need to think about them - until something stops working!
Choosing the right domain
One of the first decisions when setting up a business is choosing your domain name, but it’s also something established businesses need to think about when they decide it’s time for a website or a more professional online presence.
There are a lot of domains out there, so your first choice might not be available. Our advice? Keep it short, simple and easy to remember. A shorter domain is easier for customers to type, easier to remember and, importantly, means there's less to type when someone is emailing you. It also makes sense to choose something that fits your business and is likely to still work for you if your business grows or changes in the future.
Don't worry about the technical stuff
If all of this sounds a little complicated, don’t panic! There’s a lot happening behind the scenes to make a simple website address and business email work properly, and that’s where we come in. We can help you choose and register a suitable domain, set up the services you need and take care of the technical side for you. You don't need to know what an MX record is - leave that stuff to us!
If you need help with your domain, website or email, get in touch for a friendly chat - we promise not to overwhelm you with techy jargon!