Domain Names

Domain names are relatively straightforward! Or at least that's the theory!!

The domain name is also, but technically not quiet correct, known as the website address.

Using an ISP's domain name can look amateurish in an e-mail addresses, it is much more so with websites, giving the impression of hanging on another's coat tails. The only exception being when a firm wants to re-inforce a local or professional affiliation by appearing as part of an existing site dedicated to a region or association. Even in such cases autonomy and continuity are better assured by having one's own domain and merely using a page on the third party's site to point users toward it.

Domains are classified according to their endings or "suffixes". As a commercial organisation a company will almost certainly want a domain ending in .com or .co.uk. Other endings such as .biz and .ltd.uk are at least to date, insufficiently familiar to users, meaning the name can be too readily misremembered. Of the two desirable suffixes, .com is preferable for business with international activities, and arguably gives the impression of a bigger organisation, whilst .co.uk helps reassure users on the largely American-dominated web that they are indeed dealing with a UK firm.

The part of the domain name before the suffix will usually by the firms trading name, provided of course that the domain name has not already been registered, (which is increasingly likely these days). If the name is very long an abbreviation may be considered. Domain names are not case sensitive.

The actual registration of a domain name is a straightforward process that can be done online, either through your ISP or better still through a dedicated registration service company such as Discount Domains Ltd (http://www.discountdomainsuk.com). Renewal fees must be paid, typically every two years.

Checking if a domain name is freely available is very straightforward as most domain registration services provide a WHOIS service, as the name suggest, this checks the ownership details of a domain, note however that such services normally run 48 hours behind actual registrations.

Moving ISP's can save money, however it may take time and incur extra charges. Pricing in the domain name registration industry have fallen considerably over recent years and a domain name typically now costs from $15 for two years registration.

Once your domain name is registered, you can either leave the domain name "parked" awaiting future use, or point it at a website, this is usually achieved by changing the Domain Name Server, or DNS settings on the domain to point at hosting company where your website is located. Almost all registration services offer a free user control panel to change these settings.

Web hosting is the provision of space on a web server to publish a web site. There are numerous hosting companies in the market, and most domain registration services also offer a hosting solution. Prices vary but $100 per annum should be sufficient for most business needs.

(C) Clare Lawrence 11th May 2004

About The Author

Clare Lawrence is CEO of Discount Domains Ltd ? A leading UK provider of Domain name registration and Web Hosting services. Please feel free to re-publish this article provided this reference box remains together with a hyperlink to http://www.discountdomainsuk.com Clare can also be contacted on clare@discountdomainsuk.com.

---

Is Your Domain Costing You Traffic?

You visited a great website some time ago that had... Read More

A Very Simple 3 Step Process To Find That Perfect Domain Name Using Some Free Online Tools

So you finally decided you want your very own home... Read More

Domain Name Forwarding and Search Engines

You own a single site, but several domains - perhaps... Read More

Domain Names - How to Choose, and Register One

What is a domain name?A domain name is the address... Read More

Good Domain Names Make Your Dreams Memorable

"What was the name of that website? It was good.... Read More

Virtual Airport

Aero Registrar Secura GmbH proposes to the IT departments of... Read More

8 Tips for Choosing a Domain Name

If you're just starting out on the Internet, choosing a... Read More

Instant Traffic Using Expired Domains

Every day thousands of domains 'expire' and are put back... Read More

Customer Excellence Returns to Web Site Hosting!

For those of you with Web sites, you probably know... Read More

Investing in Great Domain Names when They Come for Sale

Domain names are not just online identities anymore they are... Read More

Is Your Domain Name On Someones Wanted List?

A good domain name is, and will always be, essential... Read More

E-Business: Domain Names - Bad Faith

Ian McMillan registered the internet domain name TrivialPursuits.net and won... Read More

How To Make Great Money Part Time Buying And Selling Domain Names - Part One

This truly is the business to get into in 2005.... Read More

Domain Parking Explained

Domain names are being snapped up all the time so... Read More

Internet Domain Registration ? Top 10 Most Frequently Asked Questions on Domain Name Registration

Here are the top ten most frequently asked questions regarding... Read More

What You Need to Know About Choosing A Domain Name

Aside from the nuts and bolts of where to register... Read More

Choosing Your Domain Name ? Internet Marketing

This is actually an important key to your business and... Read More

42 Killer Domain Secrets Exposed!

The Basic StuffEvery website needs a domain name. Example "WebBootCamp.com"... Read More

Making Money with Expired Domains

There are billions of websites and thousands more popping up... Read More

Understand the Domain Name System

Ever wonder why DNS systems came into existence? Efficiency. Every... Read More

Whats in a Domain Name?

You've decided to start up your own website. You've weighed... Read More

Why to Register md-Domains?

What is .md?.md is the web address that identifies you,... Read More

How Can You Choose the Best Domain Name?

It's all in the NameThe domain you use for a... Read More

What is Domain Name Backordering?

Domain names are the hottest net-real-estate on the internet. It's... Read More

How To Boost Affiliate Profits Using Secret Domain Tricks

Want to increase your affiliate link click-through rates and profits?Then... Read More

Domain Names

Domain names are relatively straightforward! Or at least that's the... Read More

How to Sell your Website

There are hundreds and thousands of websites on the internet... Read More

Sub Domains - An Inexpensive Solution to Grow Traffic

Read this brief article that reflects what we learned about... Read More

Domain Name Trademarks

As your Internet business grows, the value of your domain... Read More

Choosing A Domain Name

--About Domain Names--Choosing a domain name for your web site... Read More

Whats In A (TLD) Name?

They're pushing for a top level domain (TLD) exclusively for... Read More

Liberalization of in-Domains?

Communications and IT Minister Dayanidhi Maran has -as Hindustan Times... Read More

8 Million de-Domains

DENIC, the registry of the German Top Level Domain (TLD)... Read More