The Facts About Domain Names

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• No one will take any company seriously that has their Web site hosted by one of these free Web page hosts. It doesn't say a lot for a company that can't even afford to pay for their own Web space
• You will have a domain name that is relevant to your company and is much easier to remember for future reference. My domain name is "eboz.com". Now imagine that it is "freespacehost.com/uk/business/eboz". Which one is easier to remember?

What makes a good domain name?
The name of your company is always a good choice. If your company name is rather long and hard to remember, then choose something easy to remember and associates with your product or service.

What characters can I use in my domain name and how long can it be?
A web address can have up to 26 characters (including the four characters in .com, .net or .org). You may use any combination of letters and numbers, as well as a "dash" (-), as long as you do not begin or end your name with a dash. No special characters (@&(*^$#) are allowed. Please note that there is no need to begin your domain name with "www.".

The different types of domains

• .com is for commercial organizations.
• Net is for entities and computers that represent part of the Internet's infrastructure.
• .org is for miscellaneous entities that do not fit under any of the other top level domains; typically used for nonprofit organizations.
• .edu is for four-year, degree-granting colleges and universities.
• .gov is for agencies and branches of the United States Federal Government.

What's the difference between ".com" and ".com.au"?
Most businesses in the U.S. as well as thousands around the world choose a domain name ending in ".com". Some businesses outside the US also choose to end the name in a country code, such as ".com.au" (Australia). Unless your customers are mainly based within your country and you want to make a point of being a local business, then it is best to just use ".com". Many businesses outside of the US use a country code preceded by ".co" for commercial, such as "yourdomain.co.uk".

Do I need to put the "http://" on?
No. Most web sites just advertise "www.yourdomain.com". The "www." is a good enough clue to people that it's a web address, so you don't need to say it. All popular browsers let you simply type "www.yourdomain.com" into the URL window. Now most servers even recognize requests for "yourdomain.com", without the need to type in the "www".

How can I determine whether the web address I want is available?
You can search the databases of the particular web address registrar. For example, for ".com, Net and .org" domains, you would search the "Whois" database. If your first choice is not available, you can try another web address. If you can't think of a name, some providers can even generate some relevant available options, when you enter some keywords describing your business.

What does "hosting" my web address mean?
Every web address must reside on a host computer, a domain name host. Domain name hosts are connected to the Internet and use special software to translate web addresses into the numerical addresses used by the network. When users enter your web address, the domain name host directs them to your e-mail or Web site Without it, your web address is invisible on the Internet

Do I need to have an Internet service provider or a domain name host before I can register a web address?
Contrary to popular belief, you don't. You can reserve a web address today to assure you that your name will be there for you when you are ready to use it.

When my web address expires in two years will I be able to renew it?
Yes. When you are ready to renew your web address, simply go back to the registrar of the domain name and renew it.

Can I register more than one web address?
Yes! You can register as many web addresses as you like.

Can I register a web address by myself?
Yes! All you need is a few minutes, some basic information about yourself, your business and your credit card. You can simply order over the Internet

Where can I go to register my domain name
You can either register your domain name via your web host or directly with the registrar of the domain extension you want. Networksolutions.net register domains with ".com, Net, or .org" extensions. I recommend Alldomains.com, if you wish to register one of the 675 recognized domain extensions including .com, Net, .org, as well as all country code domains and their sub-domains. If you are also concerned that your name might infringe on possible trademarks, namestake.com can also provide reports on US Federal, US State, Canadian and European trademarks of a name you choose.

What if the domain name I want is already taken?
An incredible number of names are being registered everyday. Some are just registered by entrepreneurial opportunists hoping to make a fast buck by selling it on. If the name you want is registered, you might be able to purchase it from one of these domain name brokering companies. But be warned! It is likely to cost a few thousand dollars or more for a name. Your best bet would be to try another name.