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What is a top-level domain (TLD)?
by Mohan Kapoor, Supervisor, Himalayan Websites
A top-level domain is the part of the Domain Name located to the right of the dot. In the following picture you find the string ".ws", which stands for the country Western Samoa but can also be interpreted as Web Site or Web Service.
The most common top-level domains (TLD's) are ".com", ".net", ".org", ".info" and some more. They are usually available to anyone on the globe. There are also some specialised top-level domains such as ".edu" for educational institutions or ".museum" for art-galleries. To protect your name you could also use the ".name" top-level domain if you are an individual or the ".biz" top-level domain if you are a business.
Countries have their own top-level domains: ".cn" stands for China, ".cr" for Costa Rica, ".dk" for Denmark, ".in" for India, ".us" for the United States or ".zw" for Zimbabwe. These geographical top-level domains should be used when you or your business are located in that geographical area or your web site includes locally relevant materials.