You’re sketching out that next big idea and thinking about how to take it online. Then someone asks: “So, what’s the difference between a domain and a website?”
At first, it feels like a basic question. But the truth is, a lot of people blur the lines. With more startups snapping up creative domains like .ai and .io, it’s worth breaking it down clearly.
Think of it this way: a domain is your digital street address, and a website is the house that sits there. One points people to you, the other gives them something to actually experience.
A domain name is your unique spot on the internet map. Type in “yourcoolidea.com,” and that’s the address leading people straight to your online presence.
Every domain follows a structure. In “netflix.com,” netflix is the second-level domain—the brand name—while .com is the top-level domain, or TLD. Subdomains, like “jobs.netflix.com,” are extra rooms branching off the main address.
The tech behind it is simple but powerful. The Domain Name System (DNS) acts like a translator, turning your human-friendly domain into a string of numbers called an IP address. Without it, visiting a website would mean memorizing long, complicated number codes.
Finally, domains matter because they’re a key part of your brand identity. They show up in search engines, on social media profiles, in email addresses, and anywhere else people might encounter your business. That little string of text can often be the difference between being remembered—or being ignored.