One of the first steps when taking your business digital is creating a website — it’s one of the most effective ways to reach your customers. That brings us to the domain name. First, you need to understand what a domain is, what it’s used for, and what its components are. In this article, we summarize the most important points you should know if you’re planning to get your web domain soon.

What Is a Web Domain?

To put it simply, a domain is the unique name given to a website. It allows users to find your site on search engines. On the internet, it’s like giving your site a unique code that no one else can use — it’s 100% yours.

A domain also gives your website a unique personality and makes the name easier to remember.

Since this name is exclusive, only one business can use it. However, owning a domain isn’t enough to publish a website — you also need web hosting.

In short, web hosting is the space your website occupies on a server, and it allows you to store images, videos, or any type of web content.

What’s the Purpose of a Domain?

As mentioned earlier, the main purpose of a domain is to give a website a simple, memorable name that users can recognize and access easily.

If a site didn’t have a domain, it would only be identified by its IP address — a string of numbers like “192.175.85.193” — which is much harder for people to remember.

What Are the Components of a Domain?

A domain has two main parts: the name and the extension.

(ejemplo gráfico)

While it’s preferable for the name to be the business or brand name, you can use any combination of letters and words — as long as no one else is using it.

There are fewer options when it comes to extensions. The most common is “.com”, and it’s the most recommended.

Are There Different Types of Web Domains?

Yes — domain names are classified by levels, which are counted from right to left.

Here’s a breakdown of the most common types:

Generic Top-Level Domains (gTLDs):
These include the most popular and widely used domain extensions such as:

• .com,
• .net
• .org.

There are also gTLDs created for specific geographic areas, such as:

• .berlín
• .barcelona

And for specific industries:

• .shop 
• .online

Sponsored Top-Level Domains (sTLDs):
These are focused on educational, governmental, or even military institutions. Common examples include:

• .edu – Educational institutions
• .gov – Government agencies
• .mil – Military organizations

Country Code Top-Level Domains (ccTLDs):
These represent specific countries or territories, such as:

• .ec – Ecuador
• .us – United States
• .uk – United Kingdom
• .eu – European Union
• .de – Germany
• .fr – France
• .cn – China
• .es – Spain
• .ru – Russia
• .ca – Canada
• .nl – Netherlands

Third-Level Domains:
These combine a second-level domain with a top-level domain. Examples include:

• .com.es
• .org.uk
• .com.mx, etc.

Subdomains:
These are domains created under your main domain. They’re useful for testing or for organizing content by region or category. For example:

• uk.altitude.com
• mx.altitude.com
• online.altitude.com

All other domain extensions are also valid and compatible for broader visibility. Now let’s talk about the type of business or website you’re planning to build.

If you’re thinking of opening an online store, you could go with a .shop or .com.

For a local business, you might choose .ec or .com.ec.

If your goal is to build an international brand, a .com is a strong choice.

If you need an informative blog, .info could be a good fit.

Or, if you’re creating a global blog, you might prefer .net.

There may be cases where the domain extension you want isn’t available. In that case, you’ll need to explore alternative extensions and choose the one that best fits your goals.

• godaddy.com
• hostagor.com
• name.com
• bluehost.com
• domain.com
• domains.google
• namecheap.com
• wix.com
• hostinger.com

These platforms can help you if you’re planning to purchase a domain soon. But what if you need a domain with the .EC extension? Here are some local options you can use:

• Ecuahosting.net
• Soporte24hrs.com
• nic.ec

How Much Does a Domain Cost?

It depends on the extension you choose. Generally, ccTLDs (country-code domains), and extensions like .CO or .TV, tend to be more expensive. You may also come across extremely high-priced extensions, such as .auto.

If you want to check reference prices for different extensions, visit the pages listed above and compare prices to find the option that best fits your needs.

You can check the list of platforms we shared above to compare prices for the domain you’re interested in and choose the one that best fits your needs.

I Have a Domain — Can I Already Find It on Google?

Not yet. To appear in search engines — like Google, Bing, or Yahoo — you first need to have a website hosted on a server. Once that’s in place, your site must be properly configured so search engines can find and index it.

That said, there are cases where websites appear in search results even without SEO configuration. This usually happens due to one of two reasons:

1. Your site has been online for years

Your page has been published on the internet for a long time. Google has the ability to crawl and review millions of websites daily, so during that process, your domain may eventually be discovered and indexed.

2. Someone linked to your site from their own website

Maybe you were featured in an interview with a newspaper or magazine. Or you added your website to your social media profiles. Maybe a blogger linked to it. These external links can help Google find and index your domain.

However, both of these cases may take months or even years before Google discovers your site.

If you want to ensure visibility in search engines, it’s highly recommended that you hire an SEO specialist to help with this process.

Still Not Convinced About Getting a Domain?

In Ecuador, internet usage increased significantly after the pandemic. 

According to statistics, for every 100 residents, 68.08 now have access to some form of internet connection — narrowing the country’s digital divide.

That means local internet traffic is higher than ever. Most fast food restaurants have launched apps or virtual stores to allow online orders.

Today, having an online presence is essential. But being on the internet is not easy — which is why working with digital experts is crucial.

In Conclusion…

A web domain is the unique name given to a website to make it easier for users and search engines to find it.

It’s made up of two parts: the name and the extension — each chosen according to the business or brand that owns the site. As mentioned earlier, a domain shortens and simplifies your web address, making it easier to locate and remember.

As part of a digital marketing strategy, it’s important that your site is accessible and easy for potential clients to reach.

Still Feeling Unsure?

If you still have questions or don’t feel confident about the process of purchasing a web domain, remember that at Altitude we’re experts and we’re here to help.
Leave us your contact information, and we’ll guide you step-by-step so you can get the most out of this powerful tool in your digital marketing strategy.