10 Internal Domain Name Best Practices

Internal domain names are an important part of any organization’s IT infrastructure. They are used to identify and locate computers, services, and other resources on a network. As such, it is important to ensure that your internal domain names are properly configured and managed.

In this article, we will discuss 10 best practices for managing internal domain names. We will cover topics such as domain name structure, DNS configuration, and security considerations. By following these best practices, you can ensure that your internal domain names are properly configured and secure.

1. Use a subdomain for your internal domain

Using a subdomain for your internal domain allows you to keep the main domain name clean and uncluttered. This makes it easier for users to remember, as they don’t have to worry about remembering multiple different domains. It also helps with security, as any malicious activity on the subdomain won’t affect the main domain. Finally, using a subdomain can help with organization, as you can easily separate out different services or departments into their own subdomains.

2. Don’t use the same name as your external domain

Using the same name for both your internal and external domains can cause confusion when users are trying to access resources. For example, if you have a website with the domain “example.com” and an internal network with the same name, it could be difficult for users to know which one they should use.

Additionally, using the same name for both domains can make it easier for malicious actors to gain access to your internal network. By having two different names, you create an extra layer of security that makes it more difficult for attackers to guess or brute-force their way into your system.

3. Use a consistent naming convention

When you use a consistent naming convention, it makes it easier for users to remember the domain name and navigate to the correct website. It also helps IT administrators quickly identify which websites are part of the internal network and which ones are external.

For example, if your company’s name is ABC Corporation, then all of your internal domains should start with “abc.” This will make it easy for users to recognize that they’re on an internal site and not an external one. Additionally, using a consistent naming convention can help prevent confusion when setting up new sites or making changes to existing ones.

4. Make it easy to remember

If your internal domain name is too long or complicated, it can be difficult for users to remember and type in correctly. This can lead to confusion and frustration when trying to access the network.

To make sure your internal domain name is easy to remember, keep it short and simple. Avoid using numbers or special characters if possible, as these can be hard to remember. Additionally, try to use words that are related to your company or product so that they will be easier to recall. Finally, consider creating a memorable acronym from your company’s name or mission statement.

5. Keep it short and simple

Long domain names can be difficult to remember and type, which can lead to confusion and frustration. Additionally, long domain names are more prone to typos, which can cause problems with accessing the correct website or service.

Short and simple domain names are easier to remember and type, making them less likely to cause confusion or errors. They also look better in URLs, emails, and other places where they may appear.

6. Avoid using acronyms

Acronyms can be confusing and hard to remember, especially for new employees. They also don’t provide any context as to what the domain is used for or who it belongs to.

Instead of using acronyms, use descriptive words that are easy to understand and remember. For example, if you’re setting up a domain for your marketing team, try something like “marketing.example.com” instead of “mktg.example.com”. This will make it easier for everyone in the organization to know where they need to go when accessing the domain.

7. Be careful with hyphens

Hyphens can be difficult to remember and type, which can lead to confusion. Additionally, hyphens are often used in malicious domain names, so they may trigger security warnings or filters.

It’s best to avoid using hyphens when possible. If you must use them, make sure the name is easy to read and spell. For example, if your company name is “ABC Company,” a good internal domain name would be abccompany.com instead of abc-company.com.

8. Choose a TLD that won’t be used on the public internet

When you use a TLD that is used on the public internet, such as .com or .net, it can be difficult to differentiate between internal and external traffic. This can lead to security issues, as malicious actors may be able to access your internal network if they are able to spoof an external domain name.

To avoid this issue, choose a TLD that won’t be used on the public internet, such as .local or .intranet. This will help ensure that all of your internal traffic stays within your private network and doesn’t get mixed up with any external traffic.

9. Consider how you will handle mergers and acquisitions

When two companies merge, they will need to combine their internal domain names. This can be a complex process and requires careful planning in order to ensure that all of the necessary changes are made correctly.

When merging two companies, it is important to consider how you will handle the transition from one company’s domain name to the other. You should also think about how you will manage any conflicts between existing domain names. Additionally, you should plan for how you will handle any new domains that may be created as part of the merger or acquisition. Finally, make sure to document your plans so that everyone involved understands what needs to happen.

10. Get buy-in from all stakeholders

When you’re setting up an internal domain name, it’s important to make sure that everyone who will be affected by the change is on board. This includes IT staff, end users, and any other stakeholders who may need to access or use the new domain name.

Getting buy-in from all stakeholders ensures that everyone understands the purpose of the new domain name, how it will affect their workflows, and what they need to do in order to successfully transition to the new system. It also helps ensure that there are no surprises down the line when changes are made.