What is a Domain?

 ❝Domain❞ is simply the technical term for your website's online address. In a nutshell, a domain is the URL (Universal Resource Locator) Internet address where your website ❛lives❜ on the World Wide Web. The domain name is the unique ❛identity❜ of your website, eg mywebsitenz. Every website everywhere in the world has its own unique domain name address. Also, having a domain adds an element of credibility for visitors to your website.

 How does a domain name work?
No two domain names can exist on the World Wide Web unless they have a different identifier. For example, a business here in New Zealand might have .co.nz after its web address name which identifies it as a company in NZ. There are many identifiers like .nz, .co.nz, .com, .org, and so on and so on. When you put a website on the Internet you have options when it comes to hosting. Most people don't go to the huge expense or the huge effort required to set up their own dedicated web server, effectively becoming their own web host. A web server has its own unique IP (Internet Protocol) address. The IP address is a unique identifier given to every machine in a network such as, for example, the RADAR Network Services web server. A unique IP address, such as a web server offers a layer of protection and greater security and reliability. Without IP addresses the Internet would disappear.

 Do I need to purchase my own domain?
No. You don't. But, if you want to purchase your own domain name you can and I will help you do that. If you don't want to go to the added expense you can have a domain name ❛addon❜ to MyWebsiteNZ.com for FREE*. How this works is simple, my domain name is www.mywebsitenz.com. (These days there is no requirement by a browser to type in the www at the beginning of a web address.) Let's say you would like to use one of my templates for a ❛baby sitting❜ service and do not want to go to the extra expense of purchasing a domain name. With regard to an ❛addon❜ address, as an example, let's say your name is Molly and you would like your business known as ❝Molly's Baby Sitting❞. Note: You do not want to make the addon too long. Visitors can still bookmark your site or add it to their favourites. For example: mywebsitenz.com/mollysbabysitting will be your website address. You use that address for anything you do, eg Facebook posting, business card, etc. That address cannot be used by anyone else. ❝Think of your own residence where you live... there can only be one name (yourself) on one street address in one town in one city in one country in one world on one planet in this universe. To put it simply, nobody else can have your name at your address because there is only ONE OF YOU living at your address on this planet!❞