There are two terms that demote people to a state of confusion when it comes to the basics of web design, and they are: domain name and URL.
Whileboth terms are closely related, they each serve distinct purposes and perform different functions.
For this reason, it is very vital for web designers or website owners to understand the difference between both terms, and that is exactly what we are going to explore in this article.
So before you bring your new idea or business online, make sure you finish reading this article to get acquinted with the differences between a website domain and URL.
The difference between website domain and URL.
The actual difference between a website domain and URL is that while a website domain serves as a unique name of every website existing online, a URL is a specific address which directs a website visitor to a specific page or resource on a particular website.
Specifically, a website domain usually carries the domain name and it’s extension while a URL consists of both the domain name and extension plus the protocol, path and query parameters in the domain.
Using this domain as an example, taculiadesigns.com.ng is the domain name while taculiadesigns.com.ng/about/ serves as the URL which directs the visitor to the “about page” of this website wherehe can learn all he needs to known concerning our business.
Further illustration is given that, when you click on the former you are going to land on the homepage of this website, while the latter will help you navigate to the “about page” of this website.
Importance of understanding the difference between a domain name and a URL.
The importanceof understanding the difference between a domain name and a URL can be found in the following reasons:
- Search engine optimization (SEO).
- Improved user experience.
- Website navigation.
- Stick to web design bets practices.
Search engine optimization (SEO).
Understanding the difference between a website domain and a URL will help you to better optimizeyour website to be discovered by the search engines in what we refer to as search engine optimization (SEO).
This in turn will help you to increase your rankings for specific keywords and amass organic traffic to your website.
Improved user experience.
Having a clearly defined and descriptive website domain and URL will help you to improve your user experience because your visitors will find it easy to navigate your website and easily discover the resources they are looking for.
While website domain name could be specific ,for example using your real name or existing business name,your URL must also be specific and clearly defined in order to help your visitors understand where all they are looking for is located within your website.
For instance, simply adding a short term like ‘about’ to your website name as a URL will make it easier for your visitors to discover where to learn about you or your business than using a long term like “please learn all you need to know concerning our business here”.
Only God knows how long the latter URL will look like.
Website navigation for returned visitors.
Choosing a domain name and URL that aligns with your existing name or brand will go along way to strenghten your identity on the internet by helping your visitors to vividly remember and navigate your website on their return visits.
Also,people who hear about your name or brand will can directly type it into the browser and find you in the internet space.
Stick to web design best practices.
As a web designer, understanding the difference between a website domain and URL will help you to follow and stick to web design best practices which may include but not limited to the following:
- Choosing the perfect name and URL.
- Having the right linking structure on a website for your visitors easy navigation.
- Using descriptive and pleasing URL’s that best represents the content of each page and post on your website.
- Using relevant keywords to optimize pages and posts on your website for search enngines.
- Ensuring a secure connection on a website and it’s browsers by using HTTPS.
Conclusion.
While a website domai and URL are closely related, they both have distinct purposes and functions in the internet as we have discovered in this article.
A website domain name remains the overall name given to an entire website while a URL is the specific address that directs a website user to a specific page or resourceon the website.
Therefore,understanding the difference between both termswillhelp you to make informed decisions and structure a website in such a way that will make it stand out in the worldwide web.