A domain name is the human-friendly address of a website, such as yourbusiness.com.na. Computers find websites using number addresses, so a system called DNS translates the name into the number. You do not buy a domain forever: you register it for a period, usually a year at a time, and must renew it to keep it.
- https://ProtocolHow the browser connects. https means the connection is secure.
- www.SubdomainAn optional prefix. Many sites work with or without it.
- yourbusinessYour nameThe part you choose and register.
- .com.naEndingTells you the type or country of the domain, such as .com.na or .na.
The parts of a web address
Every web address is built from the same pieces. The part you choose and register is the middle: your name and its ending.
How a name becomes a website
A domain name on its own is only a name. To show a website, it has to point somewhere. The name is connected, through settings called DNS, to the computer that stores your website, which is called hosting. The original description of this system is in RFC 1034 (external site, opens in a new tab), which says domain names are used for looking up the address of a computer and for routing email. You do not need to read it. What matters for a business is this: the domain, the DNS settings and the hosting are three separate things, and someone has to look after each one. The difference between the domain and hosting is explained in What is web hosting?
Who runs domain names?
The internet needs names and numbers to be unique, and an organisation called ICANN coordinates that at the top level (ICANN introduction for newcomers (external site, opens in a new tab)). Each ending has a registry that keeps its list of names. For .na the registry is NA-NiC (external site, opens in a new tab). You normally register through a company called a registrar, which handles the paperwork and payment for you. Our guide to domain registration in Namibia explains the endings and who can register what.
Benefits of having your own domain
- A professional address. orders@yourbusiness.com.na looks more established than a free email address.
- It stays with you. If you change who builds or hosts your website, the name can stay the same, so customers and Google keep finding you.
- It supports email. A domain lets you create addresses on your own name.
Limits and things to watch
- It is rented, not bought. If you forget to renew, the name can be lost, and somebody else may register it.
- Renewal prices can differ from the first-year price. Ask what the renewal costs before you register.
- The name must be in your name. If a developer registers it in theirs, they control it. You can check public registration details with the ICANN registration data lookup (external site, opens in a new tab), although some details may be hidden for privacy.
Common mistakes
- Letting the developer own it. Always ask who the registrant is, and keep the login yourself.
- Choosing a long or confusing name. Short, easy to say and easy to spell works best. Say it out loud on the phone to test it.
- Forgetting the renewal date. Keep the registration email address current so you receive reminders, and write the date in a diary.
- Assuming the domain includes a website. A domain is only the address. A website still has to be built and hosted.
How to choose a good name
- Use your business name if it is available, or a short phrase that describes what you do.
- Avoid hyphens and unusual spellings that people will get wrong.
- Check that nobody else already uses a similar name in your line of business.
- Register it in the name of the business or owner, with an email address you control.
Key terms and where the definitions come from
Show key terms and sources
These explanations are ADA's own words, adapted from the independent sources named. Those organisations do not endorse or work with ADA, and the examples are illustrations, not real clients.
What is a domain name?
A domain name is a human-readable address for your website, such as yourbusiness.com.na. You rent it from a registrar for a set period and renew it to keep it.
Source: Based on MDN Web Docs, What is a domain name?.
Reference: MDN Web Docs: What is a domain name? (external site, opens in a new tab)
For a Namibian business: A Rundu business that registers its own name controls where its website and email addresses point, even if it later changes its web designer or host.
Related ADA service: Who owns your website
What is DNS?
DNS, the Domain Name System, is the internet's naming system. It lets a human-readable domain name be matched to the numeric address of the server that holds the site.
Source: Based on RFC Editor (IETF), RFC 1034: Domain names, concepts and facilities.
For a Namibian business: When a Namibian company moves its website to a new host, the change is made in DNS records. A wrong record can take a website or email offline, so changes are made carefully.
Related ADA service: Website care plans
Common questions
What is the difference between a domain name and a website?
The domain name is the address. The website is the content that the address leads to. You need both, plus hosting to store the website.
Do I have to renew a domain name?
Yes. A registration lasts for a set period, often a year. Renewing keeps it yours. If it expires, it can stop working and may become available to others.
Can I change my domain name later?
You can register a new one and point it to your site, but customers, links and Google results are tied to the old address. It is better to choose well at the start, or keep the old name pointing to the new one.
Does a .na or .com.na domain help me in Namibia?
It shows a Namibian connection, which some customers like. The endings and rules are explained in our Namibia domain guide.
Who should own my domain name?
You, or your business. Even if someone else sets it up for you, the registrant and the account login should be yours.
Need help with this?
Optional. You do not need any ADA service to use what you have just read.
- Domain, hosting and email setup
Help choosing, registering and connecting a domain, and setting up email on it. - Website care plans
Monthly upkeep, including keeping track of renewals as part of an agreed plan.