Domain Name

A domain name is a unique name for a web site, like w3schools.com.

 

Domain names must be registered. When domain names are registered, they are added to a 

 

large domain name register. In addition, information about the web site, including the 

 

IP address, is stored on a DNS server.

 

DNS stands for Domain Name System. A DNS server is responsible for informing all other 

 

computers on the Inteet about the domain name and the web site address.

Registering a Domain

 

Domains can be registered from domain name registration companies.

 

These companies provide interfaces to search for available domain names, and they 

 

offer a variety of domain name extensions that can be registered at the same time.

Choosing a Domain Name

 

New domain name extensions and creative thinking still offer thousands of excellent 

 

domain names!

 

When choosing a name, it is important to consider the purpose of a domain name, which 

 

is to provide an easy way to reach your web site.

 

The best domains have the following characteristics:

 

Short - People don't like to type! A short domain name is easier to type, read, and 

 

remember.

 

Meaningful - A short domain is nothing without meaning, 34i4nh.com is not easy to 

 

enter or to remember. Select a domain that relates to your site in a way that people 

 

will understand.

 

Clear - Clarity is important when selecting a domain name. Avoid a name that is 

 

difficult to spell or pronounce.

 

Exposure - Names that are short and easy to remember are an asset. In addition to 

 

visitors, also consider search engines. Search engines index your site and rank it for 

 

relevance against terms people search for. In order to maximize your sites exposure, 

 

consider including a relevant search term in your domain. Of course, only consider 

 

this if it still maintains a short, clear and meaningful domain name.

Sub Domains

 

Most people are unaware that they use sub domains daily. The famous "www" of the World 

 

Wide Web is an example of a sub domain. Sub domains can be created on a DNS server, 

 

and they don't need to be registered with a domain name registrar, of course, the 

 

original domain name needs to be registered before a sub domain could be created.

 

Examples of sub domains used on the inteet are http://store.apple.com and 

 

http://support.microsoft.com.

 

Sub domains can be requested from your web hosting provider.

False Domain Names - Directory Listings

 

Some providers will offer you a name under their own name, like:  

 

www.theircompany.com/yourcompany/

 

This is not a real domain name, it is a directory - and you should try to avoid it.

 

Directory domains are not desirable, especially for companies.

 

Typically, directory domains are used for personal web sites and free web sites 

 

provided by an ISP, you may have seen www.theircompany.com/~useame as an address.

 

Competition in domain name registration has resulted in a dramatic decrease in 

 

pricing, so domain sharing is not common, since it is possible to register a domain 

 

name for only $15 per year.

Expired Domains

 

Another source for domain registrations is expired domains.

 

When you register a domain, think of it as a rental, assuming there are no legal or 

 

trademark issues with the domain name, you are free to use it as long as you continue 

 

to pay the yearly fee (you can now register in advance as many as 10 years). Some people register domains as speculators, hoping that they can later sell them,

 

 

After you have chosen and registered your own domain name, make sure you use it on all 

 

your web pages, and on all your correspondence, like e-mail and traditional mail.

 

It is important to let other people be aware of your domain name, and to inform your 

 

partners and customers about your web site.