What is domain?

It is name where it is possible to find you in web.

There are domains 1, 2, 3 ... levels.

Domains like .com are called 1st level domains. And we speak not about them. You can’t buy them.

Domains like mysite.com are called 2nd level domains and they are subject of this blog.

Domains like blog.mysite.net are called 3rd level domains and we will discuss them too.

Choosing zone

If you are planning to buy 2nd level domain your must 1st choose what zone your want. Some zones show country (e.g. .us, .uk, .au ....). Each country has its own zone. Other zones are divided by type of activity. Eg. .com for common commercial use, .gov = government etc.

Choosing name

So you decided about 1st level zone. Now your should decide about your name. For example your choose ibm.com. Than you must check if it's free (of course ibm.com is taken). You can use any so called whois service to check availability. This check is provided by any domain registrars for free.

Or you can decide to take 3nd level domain. Then you must choose who will give your it. Each 3 level domain can be obtained only from the owner of the 2nd level domain. And not all owners of 2nd level domains are giving 3nd levels. For example me or you are not going to do it.