Domain Names

A domain name consists of a root and an extension, which may use standard "ASCII" characters or accented characters or characters from non-Latin scripts. For a domain name to display a website, the DNS of the web hosting must be set. The registrant’s contact details appear in the whois, unless they are hidden or inaccurate.

Choosing a domain name

As the central element of a brand’s digital identity, its selection should not be left to chance. The continuous launch of new extensions, around 1,500 in 2014 and 2015, creates the illusion of abundant choice. In reality, it is increasingly difficult to find a good domain still available for registration.

For large-scale web projects, it is advisable to turn to the secondary market. The initial investment is quickly offset by the credibility that a quality domain confers, and also because a memorable domain requires less communication spend than a poorly chosen one.

Les usages des noms de domaine

Domain names are not only for the main site, they are also useful for SEO and for deploying secondary sites as part of a content marketing strategy. Expired domains are well suited to this kind of use.

What are domain names used for?

Beyond running websites, registering a domain name can serve various purposes:

• protect trademarks
• prevent competitors from owning it
• capture traffic
• create email addresses
• redirect to a social media page or a free address
• mark an event (e.g., wedding, christening, celebration), etc.
• anticipate a future need