Domain Name vs URL: What Is the Difference?

Key Takeaways

1. A domain name is a website’s general address; a URL is a specific path to a page.
2. Domain names are permanent (if renewed); URLs can change based on site structure.
3. Domains can be bought and sold; URLs are created by site owners.
4. Understanding both is essential for managing and protecting your online presence.
5. Buying your domain from a trusted registrar like Trustname helps secure your brand.

The terms “URL” and “domain name” or web identifier are often used interchangeably, but there are a lot of differences between them. In this article, we will shed light on those differences, as well as the unique role each of them plays.

URL vs. Domain

Before delving into the difference between domain and URL, it’s important first to understand what each of them means. Let’s explore each term:

What Is a Domain Name?

A website identifier is a user-friendly address, a human-readable string typed into web browsers to access a particular website. It is the text form of an IP address —  a set of numbers separated by dots, like 192.158.1.38. Domain names constitute part of a URL, and they’re chosen to not only ensure easy access to a website but also to establish a brand’s online identity. Think of a website identifier as a signpost pointing to a specific location on the internet.

What Is a Website URL?

A URL, an acronym for Uniform Resource Locator (URL), is a string of letters and/or numbers that leads you to a website. It usually begins with “http” or “https” (protocols) followed by a domain name and a top-level domain (TLD) such as “.com,” “.org” or a country code TLD like “.uk” or “.jp.” For clarity, URLs comprise a protocol, a domain name, TLD, specific page paths, and some other parameters that help locate specific files on the internet.

Here is an example of a URL and its breakdown:

In this URL: 

• Protocol: “https”
• Domain name: “yourbusiness.com”
• Path or resource: “/page”

Think of a URL as a specific set of directions guiding visitors to a particular location on the Internet.

The Difference Between a URL and a Domain Name

URL vs. web identifiers: what’s the difference? While URLs and web identifiers are very related, they have some differences and serve different purposes in locating and accessing resources on the internet. Let’s explore some of these differences:

General and Specific

A web identifier represents the general address of a website, including all the different web pages that make it up. On the other hand, a URL is specific; it provides the exact location or points to a single, specific page of a broader domain on the internet. To put this in perspective, a domain is like a neighborhood, and the URL is like a direction or address to a specific house in that neighborhood.

Permanent and Temporary

Another major difference between these elements lies in the permanence of a web identifier over its counterpart. Once a domain name is purchased, it stays the same, never changing, as long as its owner continues to pay for it. However, a URL is generally temporary. It may change with updates or if there is a modification or creation of entirely new content.

Buying and Selling

Certainly, one of the most apparent distinctions between the two terms is their availability for acquisition. Domain names can be purchased via online registrars such as Trustname, allowing individuals or business owners to source a specific address that represents their brand.

Check out these "10 Tips on How to Choose a Domain Name."

On the other hand, URLs aren’t up for sale. The details within them, such as specific paths, parameters, and query strings, aren’t treated as commodities. They are created and managed by website administrators (website owners) or content managing systems to organize and structure content on a given website.

Don't Forget to Secure Your Business Online

URLs are not the same as web identifiers, and understanding what they are, their differences and the specific roles they play is necessary for navigating and managing your brand’s online presence. But having a digital presence is just one half of the equation; protecting it is the other half. In the unending expanse of the internet where every click leads to a destination, you want to be sure the clicks from potential customers all lead straight to your business. To achieve this, you need to secure your business online, and the process begins right from the point of buying a web identifier. 

Before you buy a domain name, be sure to explore our article on “How to Protect Your Domain Name.” It contains practical and easy-to-follow tips that will help you secure your digital presence and protect your brand identity online.