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.

---

Domain Parking Explained

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

ICANN or I CANNot that is the Question

Well, it seems we should all be very busy registering... Read More

Deleted Domains Can Kickstart a New Website

Are you getting ready to launch a new website online... Read More

Domain Names and Longevity

It begins as an idea -- a company name, a... Read More

What is Domain Name Backordering?

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

Understand the Domain Name System

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

Does the Length of a Domain Registration Affect Your Search Engine Rank?

Does the length of your website's domain name registration affect... 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

Tips and Tricks To Getting Top Money for your Domain Names

Would you like to be that lucky person who sells... Read More

Protect Your Domain Name or Risk Losing It

Your domain name is an important part of your brand... Read More

How to Choose the Right Domain Name

What's in a name? Everything! A domain name is the... Read More

Is Your Domain Costing You Traffic?

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

The truth about hyphenated domain names

There is a lot of confusion about the use of... Read More

Investing in Great Domain Names when They Come for Sale

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

5 Tips For the Perfect Domain Name

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

How To Choose The Best Domain Name

In this article we are going to look at the... Read More

.info Freedom Frenzy

Whether you're someone that registers domain names on a regular... Read More

Selling a .co.uk Domain Name via Sedo

Selling a .co.uk Domain Name via SedoThis is a recent... Read More

The Sub-Domain - An Affiliates Friend

It's surprising, at least to me, the amount of Affiliates... Read More

Domain Name Forwarding and Search Engines

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

What is a Domain Name and Why Would I Want One?

In this article we will cover the basics of what... Read More

Get Your Own Domain Name Or Die Online

Would you buy from someone with an "@yahoo.com" e-mail address?... Read More

Domain Names - How to Choose, and Register One

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

Domain Name Strategies Maximize Profits

Whether you want to come up with your own original... Read More

Your Domain Name, Your Business Address

Would you purchase anything from someone with a "@yahoo.com" or... Read More

Liberalization of in-Domains?

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

Why El Cheapo Domains Will Cost You Money

You want your own online business? Good because it's one... Read More

Think All the Good Domain Names are Taken?

Have you heard of the other tlds (top leve domains)... Read More

8 Million de-Domains

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

The Growth of ru-Domains

The registry of ru-domains reports, that the number of domain... Read More

Domain Name - How To Pick One

Picking a domain name should be easy, right? Why, I'll... Read More

Got a Small Business? Choose the Right Domain Name

Choosing a domain name can be daunting. Research the subject... Read More

Before You Register a Domain Name for Your New Online Business...

Recently I made a mistake that may cost a great... Read More