Domain name extensions are used to help organize the millions of domains that are registered on the Internet. Internet domains are identified by an Internet Protocol (IP) address. An IP address is a string of numbers similar to a phone number. In order to make addresses easier to remember, they were given text-based names.
Domain name extensions were initially added to help separate domains by function or country of origin. Although there were relatively few extensions to begin with, the number keeps growing as new groups petition the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) for new extensions.
The Original Domain Name Extensions
When the Internet was formed, most domain name extensions were reserved for government and academic use. Those extensions were:
These were quickly followed by domain name extensions intended for general public use:
Country Specific Domain Name Extensions
Each country has a domain name extension based on its two-letter ISO designation. Some examples include .fr for France, .jp for Japan and .uk for Great Britain. These country designation have been further modified for other, specific uses: .co.uk, for example, to denote a commercial domain name in Great Britain.
The use of two-letter acronyms to denote countries has unintentionally led to some interesting marketing ventures. The tiny Pacific island nation of Tuvalu, given the unique identifier .tv, has been able to turn its domain name extension into a profit-generating enterprise by hosting Web sites for television programs.
New Kids On The Block
Recently, ICANN added a number of new extensions, including .aero, .biz, .coop, .info, .museum, .name and .pro. Although these all have specific uses, they still pale in popularity to .com, although .biz is gaining acceptance as an alternative for businesses who want a specific domain name.
 | Owning a domain name carries a number of advantages including portability, credibility and enhanced search-engine exposure. |
To give your Web site a professional feel, you should buy domain names. This is a simple process, and shopping around can net you some savings. |
 | While the list of easy-to-remember available domain names shrinks every day, that doesn't mean you can't find a good domain name for your Web site. These tips and online resources will help you track down a domain name that works for you. |
 | What is a domain name? Why do we need them? Think of a phone book without any names, and how hard it would be to use. |
A domain name register is needed before you can open your Web site with a unique domain name. Registrars are easy to find, but prices and services vary, so it pays to shop around. |
