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What's in a Domain
Name- Choosing,
Registering and
Transferring Your Domain
Name
By
Terry Hudson
What are Domain Names?
Generally speaking,
domain names are the
familiar,
easy-to-remember and
always unique names of
websites on the
Internet. The very best
domain names are easy to
spell and remember and,
are no longer considered
just a ‘web address’
these days. Great domain
names are scarce and
some are commanding six-
and seven-figure price
tags and attract
big-money players.
You can conduct a free
domain name search
(whois) by going to any
of the thousands of
Registrars. They also
have optional services
available such as web
hosting or email
packages. Most are a one
stop shopping type of
experience where you
purchase and register
domain names through
their site.
When you begin your
search you can restrict
the search to all domain
names, current domain
names only (WhoIs) or
historic domain names
(WhoWas). Having your
essential keyword phrase
in your domain name is
very important and may
increase your ranking
slightly in the search
engines. Type the domain
name you want into the
search box. Most will
search for the .com
extension first and if
your name is taken,
you’ll automatically see
the .extensions that is
currently available with
suggested alternatives.
If the domain name is
already in use, the
database search will
give you the opportunity
to search for the
current owner's contact
information. The site's
search tool lets
webmasters find expired
domain names according
to keyword and search
engine ranking.
For people who are new
to the Internet, domain
name registration and
web hosting is a
different thing. What is
domain name
registration? Domain
registration, is the
registration of your
chosen web / domain
name. The registration
and renewal of your
company's domain names
is a vital, yet often
overlooked element of
your business. Web
hosting on the other
hand, is the company you
choose to make your site
available to the
Internet for viewing.
Once your name has been
purchased, you have the
choice of either keeping
it there and letting
them host your site or
transfer your name to a
host you might already
be using. How difficult
is it to transfer a
domain name? It’s really
not hard but, like
anything else, the first
time always takes a
little longer. So, how
do you transfer a domain
name? Lets go back just
a little. Once you’ve
purchased your domain
name you need to add the
name server your domain
will be directed to. To
find this information,
send an email to your
hosting site and ask.
Usually there will be a
link to that info. There
is a primary and
secondary name server
and they look something
like this:
svr9.hostaccount.com.
When you purchase, there
is an automatic lock for
24-48 hours and you will
not be able to transfer
your name. However, that
won’t keep you from
adding your name
servers; just be sure to
unlock the domain before
you try to transfer it.
Make sure you have all
the details, eg. Full
Name, Address, and email
account, phone number…
To transfer your domain
name… follow these 5
easy steps!
First step... log into
your account. Go to
“Domain Names” and click
on “My Domain Names.”
Click on the domain name
you want to transfer
then, look for “Manage
Domain Names.” Click on
“Change Accounts.” Find
and fill in the “New
Registrant Name.” That’s
about it! You’ll
probably get a
confirmation notice;
confirm and be done.
Domain names are cheap,
have as many as you
want. The best domain
names are easy to spell
and remember. One
important thing to
remember; your domain
name is an extension of
your business identity
and used in URLs to
identify particular web
pages. One important
tip: choose your name by
including a niche word
describing your
business. In other
words, if you are
selling “antique
pottery” don’t choose a
generic name like
“bestglassware.com.” You
would be much better
using your name, for
instance…
billsantiquepottery.com.
There are many factors
involved in choosing
your name and I suggest
you really spend quality
time doing your
research. Domain names
are registered on a
first-come, first-served
basis and also used for
reaching e-mail
addresses and for other
Internet applications.
Domain names are no
longer just a web
address, they are the
core for website
identity, marketing and
promotion of your
business . Your domain
name is your unique
electronic address on
the Internet for the
world to see. Choose it
carefully.
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