| The Domain Name System (DNS) enables people to | | | | the .com part of the domain name There are a variety |
| navigate their way around the Internet. Every | | | | of domain extensions, and the one you wish to use |
| computer that is connected to the internet is identifiable | | | | may well affect the price you will have to pay. |
| by a string of numbers called an "IP address" (IP | | | | The range of TLDs includes .com, .net, .org, .info and |
| stands for "Internet Protocol"). As the internet | | | | .name (used with a personal name e.g. |
| developed so did the DNS, so that now a string of | | | | JezLacey.name). None of these TLDs have specific |
| letters can correspond to a particular IP address. This | | | | requirements. In addition to these universal TLDs there |
| means that instead of using a complicated sequence | | | | is also .biz, which is for commercial and business use |
| of numbers you can type which is a lot easier to | | | | only. Finally, there are also country specific TLDs, which |
| remember. | | | | can only be used by persons who are citizens and |
| No matter what sort of site you are intending building, | | | | residents of that country and by businesses and |
| you should consider getting yourself a domain name. | | | | organizations present in that country where domain |
| Your domain name is your personal web address and | | | | extension is applicable, example include .us (USA), |
| can reflect anything you desire, including your own | | | | .co.uk (UK) and .fr (France). |
| name or the subject of your business. | | | | Step 2: Obtain the IP address or domain nameserver |
| There are several reasons why an internet business | | | | from your hosting company. A nameserver is a special |
| requires its own domain name including: • A | | | | type of domain that is used to identify a particular |
| domain name makes your site more credible and | | | | server. After registration you will need this information |
| reliable • The URL of a domain name will | | | | in order to set up your domain for use. |
| never change even if you change you website hosting, | | | | Step 3: Prepare for payment. The usual method of |
| so that customers are not needed to be informed | | | | payment with domain registrars is via a credit card. |
| should you change hosting. • Choosing a | | | | Step 4: Apply for your domain name. You can use |
| good domain name will make your site more | | | | your web hosting company to do this, or one of |
| memorable to your clients, so that people will recall | | | | numerous accredited domain registrars. Good |
| your company easily which spells more profits. | | | | examples include enom.com, the ever popular |
| • Advertisers and sponsors are more likely to | | | | GoDaddy.com, and many others. |
| sponsor websites who have their own domain name. | | | | When registering your domain name, ensure that you |
| • Your won domain name allows you to set | | | | are the registered domain owner. This important |
| up various email addresses for specific uses, e.g. and | | | | because a web host can set themselves as the |
| The organization that is responsible for maintaining and | | | | domain owner, and if they do, then you have no say in |
| co-ordinating the entire domain name system is called | | | | what happens to the domain name. For example, if |
| ICAAN. TO register any domain name you need to | | | | you decide to transfer your domain to another |
| use an ICAAN accredited domain name registrar. | | | | registrar. For this reason you should also ensure both |
| There are numerous domain name registrars and fees | | | | the technical and administrative contracts should be |
| for domain registration vary from $8.95 to $35+. Some | | | | you. |
| web hosting companies now offer a free domain | | | | When transferring a domain the new registrar will try |
| name registration as part of their hosting packages. | | | | contacting the domain owner first, then if that fails the |
| Registering your domain name is essentially a four | | | | administrative and then the technical contact. There |
| step process as follows: | | | | have been cases where the web host has registered |
| Step 1: Carefully consider what domain name you | | | | itself as the administrative and technical contact for a |
| would like, try to make your domain name as concise | | | | client. They can then make it difficult for clients to |
| as possible and specific to the site you have in mind. | | | | move to other registrars by pending the move or by |
| Construct a list of alternative domain names, in order | | | | even refusing. So, stay in better control and avoid this |
| of preference. This is because with the huge number | | | | kind of situation. |
| of websites in the Internet, some of your ideas for the | | | | With these guidelines, you are now well equipped to |
| ideal domain name might have already been taken | | | | register your own domain name. As good domain |
| already so the more names you can think of, the | | | | names are getting more and more difficult to find, if |
| better. | | | | you already have an idea for a great domain name, |
| When deciding on your domain name also consider the | | | | register them now before it's too late. |
| top level domain TLD) extension you want. The TLD is | | | | |