What Is a Domain Name? A Guide for Kenyan Website Owners
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In this article
A domain name is a readable name used to locate an internet service, such as a website or email service. For example, example.com is a domain name. The full URL https://example.com/contact/ also contains a protocol and page path.
How the parts fit together
In example.com, .com is the top-level domain and example is the second-level name. In example.co.ke, .ke is Kenya’s country-code top-level domain, co is the second level and example is the registered name at the third level. www can be a subdomain; it is not a compulsory part of every domain name.
The Domain Name System (DNS) connects names to the records used to reach services. Registering a domain and buying website hosting are separate actions, even when one supplier sells both. Email service is another configuration to arrange.
Who handles registration?
A registry operates a domain extension. KeNIC manages Kenya’s .ke namespace. A registrar provides registration services to customers. ICANN coordinates important parts of the global domain-name system; it is not the shop where every Kenyan domain must be purchased.
KeNIC lists options including .ke, .co.ke, .or.ke and .me.ke. Some categories, including .go.ke, .ac.ke and .sc.ke, require supporting documents. Check the current category requirements before choosing a name.
Register and manage a domain
- Choose a clear name and check availability through an appropriate registrar.
- Review registration, renewal, transfer and restoration charges. A promotional first-year price is not necessarily the renewal price.
- Register the name in the actual owner’s or business’s details and retain control of the account and recovery email.
- Configure DNS for the intended website and email services, following the providers’ instructions.
- Track the expiry date and renew in time. Registration is for a term, not permanent ownership.
Prices depend on the extension and provider. The old fixed dollar and shilling averages have been removed rather than presented as current rates.
Tip: If a designer registers a business domain for you, agree in writing who controls the registrar account and how you can transfer it. Keep account recovery details current.
