Domain vs URL: Key Differences, Examples, and How They Work Together (2025 Guide)

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When you type a web address into your browser like https://monovm.com you’re using both a domain and a URL, though they’re not the same thing. People often confuse the two because both point to locations on the internet, but each serves a different purpose.

In this 2025 guide, we’ll explain everything you need to know about domain vs URL including what each term means, how they connect, and real-world domain vs URL examples. Understanding the distinction helps you with domain registration, setting up websites, and improving your SEO strategy.

Before we dive deeper, here’s a quick comparison table summarizing the key differences between a domain and a URL.

Domain vs URL: Key Differences Explained

What Is a Domain Name?

A domain name is the unique address that identifies a website on the internet. It’s what users type into their browser to reach your site — instead of using a complex IP address.

For example:

• monovm.com
• google.com
• wikipedia.org

These are all domain names that represent entire websites. Domains are part of what we call the Domain Name System (DNS), which converts readable names into numerical IP addresses.

When you register a domain, you’re essentially reserving that name for your website through a domain registrar.

Key facts about domains:

• A domain name is made up of a second-level domain (like monovm) and a top-level domain (TLD) (like .com or .net).
• You can choose from generic TLDs (.com, .org, .info) or country-specific TLDs (.uk, .de, .it).
• Each domain name is unique and can be bought or sold through online registrars.
• Once registered, the domain links users to the correct web server through the DNS system.

If you’d like to learn more about domains and their structure, check out MonoVM’s article on What is a Domain Name.

What Is a URL?

A URL (Uniform Resource Locator) is the complete web address that specifies where a resource is located on the internet and how to access it. Every web page, image, or file on a site has its own unique URL.

For example:

Domain: monovm.com

URL: https://monovm.com/blog/domain-vs-url

In this case, the domain represents the overall website, while the URL points to a specific article within that site.

Structure of a URL

A typical URL is made up of several components:

Protocol: https://
Defines how data is transferred. HTTPS is the secure version using SSL/TLS encryption.

Subdomain: www.
An optional prefix that identifies a specific section or server of a site.

Domain: monovm.com
The core website name registered through DNS.

Path: /blog/domain-vs-url
Specifies the exact page or directory on the website. This is often the answer to “what is the path in this URL?”

Parameters (Optional):
Used to pass data, like ?id=123 in a query string.

If you want a deeper breakdown of how URLs differ from URIs, see MonoVM’s article on the difference between URI and URL.

Domain vs URL: Key Differences Explained

While domains and URLs are closely related, they’re not interchangeable. Think of a domain as your home address, and a URL as the directions to a specific room in your house.

Here’s what sets them apart:

• Domains are general — they identify an entire website (like monovm.com).
• URLs are specific — they pinpoint a particular location on that website (https://monovm.com/blog/vps-hosting/linux).
• Domains are permanent, while URLs may change as your website grows.
• You can buy and sell domain names, but URLs cannot be traded individually.

This distinction is often referred to as the “domain vs URL difference”, and it’s crucial to use the correct term in web development and SEO discussions.

Domain vs URL Example

Let’s make this clearer with a simple real-world domain vs URL example:

In this difference between domain name and URL with example, the domain points users to MonoVM’s homepage, while the URL directs them to a dedicated page for Linux VPS Hosting.

When you enter a URL, your browser first uses the domain to locate the correct server. Then, it follows the path (/vps-hosting/linux) to load the exact page or resource requested.

This process explains the domain URL meaning — the URL expands on the domain to identify a unique web location.

Components of a URL (Protocol, Domain, Path, Parameters)

Each URL component serves a distinct purpose that helps browsers and servers communicate efficiently.

Protocol

• Defines how information travels between browser and server.
• The two main protocols are HTTP (insecure) and HTTPS (secure).
• HTTPS uses encryption through SSL certificates — a must-have for any trusted website.

Domain

• Identifies the main website or server.
• Example: monovm.com.
• If you’re setting up a new project, you can easily Buy Domain Name directly through MonoVM.

Path

• The portion that tells browsers where to find a particular page or file.
• For example, in https://monovm.com/blog/domain-vs-url, the path is /blog/domain-vs-url.
• If you’re wondering “what is the path in this URL?”, this is exactly it the roadmap inside the domain.

Query/Parameters

• Appear after a ? symbol to pass additional data, like ?ref=home.
• Useful for dynamic content or tracking purposes.

Domain vs URL vs Website

While the terms “domain” and “URL” are frequently used interchangeably, there’s a third concept that’s equally important — the website itself. Understanding domain vs URL vs domain name and how all three relate helps you visualize how the internet connects everything.

Think of it this way:

• Domain = Address (like monovm.com)
• URL = Full route to a specific location (like https://monovm.com/blog/domain-vs-url)
• Website = The house at that address, containing all pages, files, and data

So, when you type monovm.com into your browser, you’re using the domain. But when you visit a specific article or product page, such as https://monovm.com/vps-hosting/linux, that’s a URL pointing to a section within the website.

Summary:

• The domain identifies your site.
• The URL locates a single web page.
• The website contains everything your visitors can browse.

To explore the many options for web addresses, see MonoVM’s detailed post on Different Types of Domains.

How Domains and URLs Work Together?

Domains and URLs are interconnected they work as two halves of one system that helps users and search engines locate information online. Here’s a step-by-step look at how this process unfolds:

1. User types a domain name into the browser (e.g., monovm.com).
2. The DNS (Domain Name System) translates that domain into an IP address, identifying the exact web server that hosts the website.
   
3. The browser connects to the server using the IP address.
4. If the user typed a full URL, the browser then requests the specific path (for example, /blog/domain-vs-url) on that server.
5. The server delivers the correct page, which is then displayed on your screen.

This illustrates how a domain forms the foundation of navigation, while the URL adds precision by pointing to individual resources.

Together, they’re the bridge between your browser and the website’s hosted content — a key concept when learning what is a domain vs a URL.

Common Misconceptions About Domain and URL

Many misconceptions surround these two terms. Let’s debunk a few of the most frequent ones.

Myth 1: “A domain and a URL are the same.”

🔹 Reality: A URL includes the domain but also adds the protocol (HTTP/HTTPS) and the path to specific resources. So while every URL contains a domain, not every domain represents a full URL.

Myth 2: “You don’t need a domain if you have a URL.”

🔹 Reality: Without a registered domain, your website would rely on an IP address (like 192.0.2.1) — something difficult to remember or share. Domains make websites user-friendly.

Myth 3: “Every URL is a website.”

🔹 Reality: A URL can point to many types of resources — images, videos, databases, or downloadable files. For example, https://monovm.com/images/logo.png is a valid URL but not a web page.

These misconceptions often lead to confusion in discussions about domain vs website address and domain vs path of a URL, but remembering that the domain is part of the URL makes it much clearer.

Conclusion

Understanding domain vs URL difference is crucial for anyone managing or creating a website in 2025.

• Domains define your brand’s identity online.
• URLs guide visitors to the exact pages they want to see.
  Together, they form the foundation of a successful online presence.

Whether you’re building a new project or improving an existing one, MonoVM makes domain and hosting management simple and reliable. With 24/7 support, instant setup, global data centers, and affordable pricing, you can trust MonoVM to power your digital success.

👉 Ready to get started?

Visit MonoVM to Buy Domain Name or explore our VPS Hosting and Dedicated Server options — designed for speed, reliability, and complete control over your online environment.