Glossary
Second-level domain (SLD)

Second-level domain (SLD)

A second-level domain (SLD) is the part of a domain name that precedes a top-level domain (TLD). For instance, in the domain “webflow.com,” “webflow” is the SLD, and “com” is the TLD.

The SLD typically corresponds to a brand, business, or organization’s name. It’s a distinguishing feature that makes a website identifiable and memorable.

Besides providing brand recognition, an appropriate and relevant SLD can enhance search engine optimization (SEO). For example, a bakery specializing in gluten-free products can choose an SLD like “glutenfreebakery” to clarify its offerings. If a user searches for “gluten-free bakery,” search engines might consider “glutenfreebakery.com” a more relevant result due to the keywords “gluten-free” and “bakery.”

By choosing an SLD that resonates with a brand and its offerings, businesses can improve their visibility on search engines like Google to drive more traffic and prospective customers to their site.

Visit Webflow University to learn how to connect a custom domain to your website. Explore top-level domains, how to register domains, and best practices for your business or design projects.

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