Domain Registrar
ELI5 — The Vibe Check
A domain registrar is the shop where you buy domain names. Think Namecheap, GoDaddy, or Google Domains. You pay them yearly to 'own' your domain name. They keep track of who owns what and can be switched, but you'll need to update your nameservers.
Real Talk
A domain registrar is an ICANN-accredited organization authorized to sell and manage domain name registrations. They maintain registry databases, handle domain transfers, and provide management tools for DNS settings and WHOIS records.
When You'll Hear This
"Buy the domain through Namecheap — they're a cheaper registrar than GoDaddy." / "Transfer the domain to a new registrar before the renewal price jumps."
Related Terms
DNS (Domain Name System)
DNS is the internet's phonebook. You type 'google.
Domain Name
A domain name is the human-friendly name for a website, like 'google.com' instead of '142.250.80.46'.
Nameserver
A nameserver is the specific server that actually knows all the DNS records for your domain — it's the authoritative source of truth.