Domain: How to Choose a Website Address and Not Lose It
A domain is your website's address on the internet: what a person types into a browser, like ecomdev.uz or google.com. Just as a physical store has an address like “15 Amir Temur Avenue”, a website has an address like “vashmagazin.uz”.
In this article from our “IT Made Simple” series, we'll break down how domains work, the differences between .uz, .com, and .ru, and how much they cost — plus a crucial practical point: why your domain must be registered in your name, not your contractor's.
How a Domain Works: Reading Right to Left
Take the address shop.ecomdev.uz. You read it from right to left, from general to specific — just like a mailing address: country, city, street.
On the right is the top-level domain (.uz): the “country” of your address. Next is the name itself (ecomdev): this is what you choose and register. On the left, you can add subdomains (shop., blog.) — “separate entrances” to different parts of your site. Subdomains are free: once you buy a domain, you can create as many subdomains as you want.
Why Do You Even Need a Domain If There's an IP Address?
Every server on the internet has a numeric address — an IP, something like 195.158.1.10. Technically, you can open a website using it, but memorizing a string of numbers is impossible, and if you move to another server, the numbers will change.
A domain solves both problems: it's human-readable and permanent. A special system called DNS (the “internet's phone book”) stores the “name → IP address” mapping. When you type in a domain, the browser first asks the DNS, “What IP does this site live on?” — and only then goes there to fetch the pages.
The practical takeaway: you can move your site to a different host, and the address for your clients won't change — only the entry in the “phone book” gets updated. You won't have to reprint your business cards.
The Difference Between .uz, .com, and .ru Zones
There's no technical difference — a site works exactly the same in any zone. The difference lies in perception and the legal nuances of registration.
A general rule for businesses in Uzbekistan: your primary domain should be in the .uz zone. If you plan to operate in multiple countries, it makes sense to also grab the .com with the same name so someone else doesn't take it.
- .uz — Uzbekistan's national zone. A plus for local business: clients see it as “local”, and search engines better understand which country the site targets.
- .com — the international zone, the standard for companies operating in multiple countries.
- .ru, .kz, and other country zones — only make sense if you actually operate in those markets.
- New zones (.shop, .online, .dev) — are acceptable, but a conservative audience is more used to the classics.
How Much a Domain Costs and How to Buy One
You don't buy a domain forever — you rent it, usually for a year, with the option to renew. It's inexpensive: the price is comparable to a single lunch at a cafe; check your zone's registrars for exact rates. Registrars are accredited companies where you lease the name; for the .uz zone, you can find their list on cctld.uz.
The process is simple: check the registrar's website to see if the name is available, fill in the owner's details, pay — and the domain is yours. The main thing is not to forget to renew it: an expired domain is eventually released and can be snatched up by anyone, including competitors or squatters.
The Most Important Part: The Domain Must Belong to You
A typical mistake: “the developer registered everything themselves.” Two years later, you decide to change contractors — and it turns out the address all your clients know and that you've promoted in ads legally belongs to someone else. Negotiating to “buy back” your own name is an unpleasant experience.
The rule is simple: the domain is registered to your company or to you personally, and access to the registrar's account is kept by you. The developer only needs technical access to do their work — they don't need to own the domain. It's like a physical space: a renovation crew works in your store, but the lease agreement is in your name.
- Check right now: who your domain is registered to and who has the password to the registrar account.
- Enable auto-renewal or set a reminder a month before the expiration date.
- The email for registrar notifications should be yours, not your contractor's.
Frequently asked questions
Are a domain and a website the same thing?
No. A domain is just the address. A website is the “building” at that address: the pages, design, and logic. You can own a domain without a website (you have the address, but no building) — this is often done to reserve a name for a future project.
How is a domain different from hosting?
A domain is the address, while hosting is the place where the website files physically live. You need both: an address without a “space” leads nowhere. We have a separate article on hosting in this series.
What happens if you don't renew your domain?
The website and corporate email on that domain will stop working. After the grace period, the name will be released, and anyone can register it. Regaining control later is difficult and expensive, so renewing is sacred.
Can I use a Cyrillic domain, like magazin.uz?
Technically, yes, such domains exist. But they come with more trouble: some services and email systems handle them poorly, and typing the address on a Latin keyboard is a hassle. For business, Latin characters are a safer bet.