Choosing a Domain Name

What is a Domain Name?

A domain name is what your visitors will type into their browsers to find your website. For example, to get to this website you type : www.naroomaonlinedesigns.com - this is also called an URL. Your name can be used as a link on other websites, a suffix for email addresses and more.

Why you need one:

Simply put, a website is not easily accessible without one. It's possible to have a website without a domain name, but it's not really practical. Your Domain Name will also serve as your online identity and be used to access and market all aspects of your site.

Important setup considerations:

Setting up a Domain Name improperly can cause major headaches down the road, anything from your website going offline or being taken over by someone else, to you completely losing the name forever. Here are some tips and considerations to keep you on top of things.

1.) Choose a good name!

This is mainly for convenience and ease of accessibility for you and your visitors. If your domain name is really long, you'll have to type and use it in all of your emails, promotion. This may be fine if your business has a long name to start with, but it's definitely worth a bit of thought and searching to find to right name. If you're not happy with your name down the road, you can always purchase additional domain names at a later date, but this costs more money and could confuse existing clients - better to get it right the first time.

Website Tip:

If you want to have customers find you its important to consider Search Engine Optimization from the beginning, try to use a domain name that contains at least one of your keywords, as this will be beneficial when it comes to ranking in Google.

2.) Register your DOMAIN in YOUR name

When signing up for a domain name, you should do either do it yourself or ensure that whoever is setting it up for you registers it with your contact information. If not, you run the risk of losing your name at some point in the future.

3.) Make sure you obtain the login details for your domain registrar.

This is very important. This login is what you'll use to access the controls for your domain name through your registrar. This is where you set up which servers and hosting your domain directs to. This is also where you pay your bill and update your contact information should it change. This account information should be sent to you when you sign up - keep it in a safe and accessible location.
If someone else set up your domain name for you - make certain you get this information from them and update your contact info as soon as possible.

4.) Use a reputable company / accredited registrar.

An accredited registrar is a licensed company that is authorized to sell domain names. If you're considering using a company that you've never heard of before, make sure they are accredited and reputable - or better yet, use a company with an established record. A domain name costs on average $10-$15 per year, so trying to save a few cents by going through a discounted service is not worth the hassle.
Many internet and hosting companies that sell domain names use reseller accounts to sell domain names through accredited registrars. Make sure you know which registrar your domain name is registered through.

5.) Make sure you understand your Registrars terms of service.

Familiarise yourself with the billing policies, general practices and terms of service that your domain provider uses. It's worth taking some time to ask any questions you may have before deciding on a domain provider.
Some hosting accounts "include" a Domain name registration. This can be a good thing, a good value and an easy setup. But what happens to your domain if you decide cancel or move your hosting account? Make sure you know or ask before you buy.

6.) Keep your account up to date.

Domain names require an annual fee to stay active. Once you purchase a domain name, it is yours, but you need to pay the yearly fee to keep control of it. It's a nominal fee of around $10-$15 per year. If your billing lapses, not only does your domain name become inactive, it is also becomes available for purchase. This means that someone else can buy and take control of your name. If that happens, there is nothing you can do to get it back - other than contacting the party that purchased it and asking them to sell it back to you. The only way to ensure it never happens to you is to keep your account up to date.

Bottom Line:

These are the most important considerations when registering a domain. As long as you have control over your domain and keep your account in good standing, it's not difficult to maintain.