One of the most common questions internet newcomers ask is, 'What is a domain?'  This is a good question for any internet user to ask as domains are elements which users come into contact whenever they visit a web-site.  If you don't understand the basics of the internet it can make it quite difficult for you to conduct business or to set-up your own site.

A domain is a specific area of the internet which is owned by a company or individual.  The domain name is the address that identifies the domain itself and allows visitors to find the domain (sometimes called a 'site').  When you type an address into your internet browser you are typing in the domain name, when your browser loads the site it is showing you the domain itself.  Some domain names do not have sites attached to them but are registered or owned by companies or individuals.  Domain names have many different extensions, such as '.co.uk', '.com', and '.org'.  These extensions are intended to signify the region the domain represents or the purpose of the site - for example, the '.co.uk' extension is intended for people and businesses within the United Kingdom and will generally infer that the content on the domain is British.  The '.org' extension, on the other hand, is usually a hint that the domain represents an organization or charity which is not-for-profit.