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What is a Domain Name?
Don't think you know what a domain name is? You might be surprised how often you have seen or used one. Read on for an explanation on what a domain name is and how you may be using one already.
IP’s in Disguise
Technically speaking a domain name is an alias for a numeric code. The numeric code is called an IP address. The format of an IP address is written as four numbers separated by periods, where each number can be from zero to 255. For example, 22.170.12.250 could be an IP address. The IP address is how a domain name is recognized by the domain name server. However, a long number like that is difficult for people to remember, so domain names were created to give an alias to IP addresses that would be easier for people to communicate and remember.
Domains Are Everywhere
Today domain names are all around. Almost everywhere you look these days, on billboards, television, ads, you see a domain name. If you have used the internet or sent an email you have used a domain name. When using the internet, you use a domain name when you type a web address, or URL. A web address would look something like this: http://www.example.com. The domain name in that URL is “example.com.” To send an email you must also use a domain name. For example you send an email to me@example.com. In this email address “example.com” is the domain name.
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Products & Services: Buying Cheap Domains
You may have heard the phrase "you get what you pay for" in regards to online services. Although this is generally true, domain registrars are the exception. Smart shoppers buy cheap domains.
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Whether you pay $35.00 or $7.50 per year for your domain name, you still end up with just that, the temporary ownership of the name. However, some domain registrars offer valuable extras with domain name registration (like email forwarding and parked pages). But don't make the assumption that a more expensive registrar offers more extras. This is simply not the case.
So how do you distinguish which domain name registrar will be the right one for you if not by price alone? A better determinant of your satisfaction with your domain registrar will be your answers to the following questions.
1. What kind of domain name are you looking for?
2. What type of registrar do you prefer?
3. What are you going to do with your domain after its registered?
Choosing a Domain Name
Choosing the right domain name for your company or web site is one of the most important steps in achieving web success.
A domain name is how the world will know you and your business (think amazon.com!) Choosing the wrong sort of domain name can cause confusion to your potential customers and site viewers and ultimately result in lost traffic. Knowing a few essentials about domain names can help you choose your domain name wisely. Read on for tips on choosing the domain extension, choosing the spelling of your name, and issues regarding trademarks.
Which Domain Extension?
The first thing to consider when choosing a domain name is what domain extension (or top level domain, TLD) you would like to use.
The extension is important because it lets viewers know generally what type of site you have. For example .com= commerce, .org= non proft organization, .biz= business, etc.
.com: Although there are increasingly more options for extensions, .com still remains the best first choice for most domain names. When a customer looks up a company web site they will generally try the name of the company followed by a .com first. If your site doesn't come up you may be passing along traffic to your competitors. True many .com names have been used up already so you may have to try another extension, but with a little creativity you may find the perfect .com that is still free.
If you are unable to secure a .com your next best alternatives are to stick with .biz, .net, and .info. These are what viewers will generally try next as a default. Other domain naming options for einclude using country code top level domains, such as: .us, .ws, or .tv.
.biz: The .biz TLD is a designated suffix for businesses. Domains using the .biz extension must be used for business or commercial use.
.info: .info domains are available to the general public.
.name: Available to the general public, .name email addresses are listed as firstname@lastname.name or lastname@firstname.name. Web sites are listed as www.firstname.lastname.name.
.net: Short for .network. This domain extension was originally designed to be used by technical web sites. However, this extension can be registered by anyone.
.org: Short for .organization. Originally for non-profit organizations that did not fit under the .com or .net extension. However any individual or business may now register a .org domain name.
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