What is a domain?
To go to a friend's house, you need to know the "address." The "address" of a website is called a domain.
insightdigit.com and google.com are both domains.
Just enter this string of words and you will find the corresponding website.
The real location of a website is a string of numbers (called an IP address).
But because numbers are so hard to remember, we replace them with meaningful, memorable names, and that's what domains are for.
Why do you need your own domain? In addition to making it easier for users to remember and enhancing brand professionalism,
It can also be used to set up an email address (like hi@insightdigit.com), and it can also help with SEO rankings, making the website easier to find.
What is the difference between a URL and a domain?
The simple classification of "domain" and "website" is as follows:
Domain: The main address of your website (e.g. wellyseo.com)
URL: The full link to a page (e.g. https://www.wellyseo.com/about)
A domain can have many URLs, just like a building has many rooms, each room is a different web page.
For example:
http://www.tsg.com.tw(Homepage)https://www.tsg.com.tw/platform.php(A project introduction page)
The two URLs are different, but both belong to the same domain tsg.com.tw.
Just like your house has a living room, study, and kitchen, but the addresses are the same.
This diagram illustrates an example URL structure, including the protocol (https), subdomain or host (www), domain name (ibest.com.tw), and web page path (/abouts). It is suitable for basic SEO teaching and website architecture illustration.
| project | Usage | example |
|---|---|---|
| domain | Represents the location of the entire website, such as the building address | https://insightdigit.com/ |
| Website | Points to a page on the website, such as a room path | https://insightdigit.com/blog/ |
Although a URL must contain a domain, a domain is not equal to a URL.
There can be countless URLs under one domain, and each URL will belong to only one domain.
This is also very important in SEO:Google considers domains to be brand entitiesThe URL is used to track the content structure and depth. Let search engines clearly understand the structure of your website, which is the first step in website optimization.
How are URLs and domains composed?
Each URL looks like a long string of text, but it is actually like a "complete address" that can be broken down into several meaningful parts.
Let’s take this URL as an example:https://shop.insightdigit.com/about
This diagram illustrates an example URL structure, including the protocol (https), subdomain or host (www), domain name (ibest.com.tw), and web page path (/abouts). It is suitable for basic SEO teaching and website architecture illustration.
https://: This is the "communication protocol" that tells the browser how to communicate with the website. https is encrypted and more secure than http.shop：This is a subdomain, which is often used to distinguish different functional areas, such as shopping area, activity page, ESG area, etc.insightdigit.com: This is the domain name, which represents your website brand./about: This is a page on the website, such as "About Us".
Recommended Reading: HTTPS & SSL, your website security gatekeeper!
Supplement: The domain can also be split into two segments
existinsightdigit.com Inside, we can further break down:
insightdigit: This is the "secondary domain", usually a brand name..com: This is the "top-level domain", which is the type or country of the website.
What are subdomains/top-level domains?
Second-Level Domain Usually your actual brand or company name, like
insightdigit、Google.Top-Level Domain Like "city", it helps to classify the website, for example
.com、.org、.tw
.com、.org、.tw It is actually a bit like "regional classification" or "purpose label", which helps to identify what type of website it is.
So when you see gov.tw, you will probably know that it is a government website; and when you see .jp, you will know that this website is from Japan.
Supplement: Common domain suffixes and usage comparison table
| Domain suffix | Usage | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|
| .com | The most widely used commercial | Company and brand official websites |
| .org | nonprofit organizations | Public welfare, association |
| .edu | Educational Unit | school, university |
| .tw | Taiwan local website | Regional brands and companies |
| .shop | e-commerce dedicated | Online shopping sites |
Want a professional website + perfect SEO structure?
[Digital Technology Insight] Help you go from domain to website, all in one go! Click below to inquire now!
Does domain name affect SEO ranking?
Let me give you the direct answer: there will be no direct impact!
Google's ranking algorithm uses over 200 factors (and possibly more), but which of these factors are relevant to domain names? And which are just anecdotal vs. empirical evidence?
We sorted out 10 Common Factors That Affect Domain Name SEO, and indicate which ones are officially recognized, which ones are practical observations, and which ones are still controversial.
✅1. Identify factors that will have an impact or indirect impact
1. Domain History
A domain that has been used for black hat tactics, even if it is bought by someone else,Past negative reviews will still leave tracesBefore purchasing an old domain, it is recommended to check the WHOIS record and web archives (such as Wayback Machine).
2. Domain Keyword Content (EMD)
If the domain name is exactly the same as the search keyword (Exact Match Domain, EMD), there is a chance to getHigher relevance and click-through rate, but the premise is that the content quality cannot be too bad, otherwise it may be punished by EMD update.
3. Keywords appear in subdomains
Although keywords in subdomains have limited impact on rankings, they can enhance brand recognition and the clarity of website content. For example:
seo.whoops.com.tw: Let users know at a glance that this is Whoops' SEO subsite.
4. Country code top-level domain (ccTLD)
If your business is focused on a certain country, use the domain of that country. .tw、.jp,It allows search engines to more accurately determine the location and language of your website, which helps improve rankings in this area.
⚠️ 2. Details that may not affect rankings, but need attention
5. Domain Age
Google officially states, "There's not much difference between six months and a year." Rather than pursuing an older domain, focus on whether the website is still operating and the content is constantly updated.
❝The difference between a domain that's six months old versus one year old is really not that big at all.❞
— Matt Cutts, former Google Search team member
6. Keywords at the beginning of the domain
Although "starting with keywords" does not significantly increase rankings, it can increase click-through rate and user recognition, especially in the early stages of a brand. Nosswire Latest Observations, Google values brand awareness and content value. In other words, EMD's SEO bonus has become an "indirect effect."
7. Domain Length
Shorter ones are easier to remember, but Google doesn't care if you welldone.com still bestseoexpertservices.com.tw, content is the key.
🕵️♂️ 3. Misunderstandings about Whois Information
8. Whether to enable WHOIS privacy protection
Google itself is the domain registrar, it can see the registrant information, soWhether WHOIS privacy is enabled or not does not affect rankings. But for users, it helps prevent spam and harassment.
9. Abuse of registration information will be punished
If you register a large number of spam websites using the same registrant information, it will affect the overall reputation of the account after being detected, and thus affect rankings and trust.
🧩4. Factors that may affect user trust, even if they have no direct impact
10. Trustworthiness of the TLD
For example .com、.org、.gov It is generally considered to be more "credible", which has a positive impact on the brand image.Indirect effects, a non-ranking direct indicator.
According to Nosswire, the websites selected by AI search tools (such as Google SGE, ChatGPT) are mostly from .com or authoritative sources (government, education, well-known brands), so domain selection also indirectly affects the chances of being cited and exposed.
The domain name is not the key, but it is also the basis
While the domain name itself isn't the biggest factor in SEO, it's crucial for brand image, user trust, and geographic positioning. A brief summary is as follows:
| Factor Type | Impact on SEO |
|---|---|
| Domain History | ✅ Affects rankings (black hat records will leave traces) |
| Contains keywords | ⚠️ No direct impact, but improves relevance/recognition |
| Subdomain naming | ⚠️ No direct impact, helps to clearly differentiate the theme and brand |
| Country domain name | ✅ Regional ranking is favorable (such as .tw for Taiwan) |
| WHOIS public or not | ❌ Does not affect SEO |
| User trust | ⚠️ Can increase CTR and indirectly affect ranking performance |
How to choose a domain name? Get one that's catchy and professional!
Choosing a domain name is like finding a street address for your brand. It needs to be memorable and relatable, representing you and making you instantly recognizable. The good news is that applying for a domain name is now quite simple. It doesn't require any technical skills; you just need to master a few selection techniques.
Recommended Reading: What is a domain name? How do I choose a suitable domain name?
Before choosing a domain, consider these three things
The brand must be clear: Try to use the company name, brand name in English, or keywords of main products
Example: If your name is "Qingyou Design", you can considerqingyoudesign.comorqingyou.twEasy to pronounce and remember: Avoid being too long, too complex, or having too many connectors (
-), the simpler the betterHigh scalability: If the website is to be expanded in the future, it will not be limited to a certain item or region name
How do I know if this domain is still usable?
After choosing a name, the next step isCheck whether it has been registered.
You can check for free through the following platforms:
Where do I register? Two ways!
You can choose to register yourself or ask a website company to do it for you.
Self-registration process: (suitable for those who want to control authority)
Step 1: Choose a name
Step 2: Check whether it is available
Step 3: Choose a domain name provider you are familiar with and register
Common registration platforms:
| Registrar Name | Features |
|---|---|
| GoDaddy | International brand, easy-to-understand interface |
| Online Chinese | Local brand, supporting Chinese customer service |
| Cloudmax Huizhi | With marketing services, suitable for corporate applications |
| Chunghwa Telecom HiNet | Taiwan's established telecom operator, trustworthy |
When choosing, you can compare the following conditions:
Is the price reasonable?
Is the management backend easy to operate?
Does it support renewal reminders and simple DNS settings?
What is WHOIS and why is it “hidden”?
When you register a domain, you must fill in real contact information, including name, email, address and phone number. This information will be recorded in a public system called WHOIS DatabaseAnyone who knows your URL can find this information - which is why "WHOIS privacy protection" is becoming increasingly important.
This diagram illustrates an example URL structure, including the protocol (https), subdomain or host (www), domain name (ibest.com.tw), and web page path (/abouts). It is suitable for basic SEO teaching and website architecture illustration.
What information can WHOIS find?
WHOIS Privacy It is an additional protection service that prevents your personal information from appearing directly on the WHOIS query page.
The registrar will display a contact window on your behalf, hiding your real information.
Common reasons and benefits include:
Avoid receiving spam and sales calls
Hide your company location to avoid harassment or plagiarism
Reduce the risk of data leakage and identity theft
Maintain brand image and security
What is WHOIS hiding? What are the benefits?
Since the EU GDPR came into effect,Many international registrars have automatically hidden WHOIS information, at no additional charge.
However, the following two points should be noted:
You still need to fill in the correct informationOtherwise, the registration will be invalid or deactivated.
Not all top-level domains are automatically hidden,For example
.com.tw、.jpSome information may still be disclosed
If you have the following situations, it is recommended to enable WHOIS privacy when registering a domain:
I am an individual/SOHO/startup company and do not want to disclose my personal information
Operate a brand website to prevent contact information from being leaked
Frequently receive strange emails and receive random contact from SEO vendors
Register domains using public mailboxes such as Gmail and Yahoo
Most registrars now have this feature built-in, some are free, and some require additional payment. Remember to check it or ask when registering.
❓FAQ section
Is the domain free?
Most domains need to be purchased for a fee, such as .com、.tw The annual cost ranges from NT$1,000 to NT$300 to NT$1,000. However, some website platforms (such as Wix and Shopify) will include a domain for one year when purchasing a hosting plan.
Q2: I already have a website address. Do I still need to apply for a domain?
A: In fact, the URL must include the domain. If you are using a free URL from a third-party platform (such as yoursite.wix.com), it is recommended to apply for a dedicated domain to establish a professional brand, enhance SEO and enhance trust.
Q3: Will the domain be snatched away if I buy it?
A: As long as you complete the purchase and renew regularly, no one else can snatch your domain away. However, if you forget to renew, your domain may be registered by someone else. Therefore, it is recommended to enable the "auto-renew" function to avoid loss.
Q4: Is .com or .tw better for SEO?
A: If your website is mainly targeted at Taiwanese users,.tw The domain name helps Google determine the regional language, which is beneficial for local search rankings; if it is an international customer base,.com Both can be used for SEO, depending on the target market.
Q5: Can I use a Chinese domain?
A: Yes, domains like "设计公司.tw" are also valid. However, in practice, it is recommended to use English pinyin as the primary domain name to avoid compatibility issues across devices and international input, and it is also easier to remember and transfer.
Q6: Can a website have multiple domains?
A: Yes, you can apply for multiple domains and direct them to the same website. For example, brand.com and brand.tw Import at the same time to increase protection and localize operations.
Q7: I have several brands. Can they be placed on the same domain?
A: Yes, but it is recommended to present it with a clear website structure, such as using subdomains (such as brand1.domain.com) or subdirectories (such as domain.com/brand1) to separate them, which is conducive to SEO management and brand independence.
Q8: What is domain forwarding?
A: Domain redirection refers to redirecting a domain to another website. For example, abc.com Automatically jump to brand.com. Often used for rebranding or protective domain operations.
Choosing the right domain is the first step to website success
Although it is not the only key to Google ranking, it is an important foundation for brand building, user trust, and SEO architecture.
From choosing a concise and memorable name to understanding the difference between subdomains and top-level domains,
To determine which factors affect search rankings - every detail affects the exposure and growth of the website.
If you are still thinking about which domain to choose, or want to learn more about SEO architecture and website building strategies,
Fill out the form below to schedule a free consultation with us and help us make your website stand out in the search world!
English 
繁體中文 
日本語 