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The domain name of your website is your company's identity on the Internet. It is what is popularly called the website address, also known as the URL (Uniform Resource Locator). 

Examples of a domain name are "amazon.com" or "aykya.com". When the domain name is typed in a browser window, it takes the web surfer to that particular website. You do not have to be a company or organization to register a domain name; any individual can do it too.

Since the domain name defines a unique identity on the Internet, your customers will remember your company by it and use it to find information on products, services etc. No two companies or individuals can have the exact web address at the same time. A short, memorable domain name can make the difference between creating a successful web presence and getting lost among the clutter on the Internet.

There are many good reasons for registering a domain name specific to your company.

• A domain name gives your business credibility. Few people would take you seriously with a URL like http://www.yahoo.com/whatever.html.
• Even if you change your web host, your domain name will remain the same. For example, regular visitors or customers who know your site name as www.something.com can still access your website with the same URL regardless of which server you host it on.
• A domain name describes your company's business or name and makes it easy for people to remember it easily.

Every domain name has an extension name or category. While the most common extension is ".com" for commercial business, there are several extensions to choose from, depending on the nature of activity, such as:

.gov - Government agencies
.edu - Educational institutions
.org - Organizations (nonprofit)
.mil - Military
.net - Network organizations

You can register a domain name through a domain name registrar. The domain name industry is regulated and overseen by Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), a nonprofit organization that is responsible for IP address space allocation and domain name system management. Only a domain name registrar is permitted to access and modify the master database of domain names maintained by Internet Network Information Center (InterNIC). InterNIC provides a list of accredited registrars.

The registrar you choose will charge a fee for registering a domain name, which is usually paid on an annual basis. You will have to provide some contact and technical information to place on record. This information is stored in a registry, which other computers can access to find information on your site. The registrar can cancel a contract and resell the domain name if it cannot contact the designated person.

There are many laws that regulate the registration of domain names. Check with your domain name registrar for the laws that affect how you can register yours. If you want to create one and are not sure if it has already been taken, check with whois a server that keeps track of all registered domain names.