| ain name is an Internet or web-based name that | | | | because the domain name you register is associated |
| makes it easy for users to find your site. In reality, | | | | with the computer you specify, allowing you to reach |
| your domain name, or in other words your | | | | Internet users through your website. |
| computer’s address, is a complex string of | | | | When obtaining a domain name, your best option is |
| numbers that people would find difficult to remember | | | | to select an accredited registrar or obtain a |
| and annoying to key in. Fortunately, the Domain | | | | recommendation for an existing provider. While |
| Name System (DNS) allows computers to convert | | | | domain name registering is quick and easy, you should |
| these numbers into letters and numbers that people | | | | take some time to shop around and consider the |
| find easier to understand and remember. Acquiring a | | | | many choices available. As well as comparing the |
| domain name was once quite expensive, but cheap | | | | prices of cheap domain names, you should be careful |
| domain names are now readily available. | | | | to see what other advantages are on offer, such as |
| Domain names were expensive in the early days of | | | | customer service. |
| the Internet, because they were available from only | | | | Cheap domain names can bring in a lot of business if |
| one organisation, Network Solutions, operating | | | | they are chosen carefully. With thousands being |
| through an exclusive government contract. At one | | | | registered daily, the choice of name may require a |
| time, domain names cost ₤100 or more. By | | | | little thought to make sure it is as effective as |
| 1998, however, the massive growth of the Internet | | | | possible. Try to create a name that has a number of |
| led to the formation of the Internet Corporation for | | | | qualities such as being easy to remember, attention |
| Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), a private | | | | getting, and relevant to the product or service you |
| sector, non-profit organisation formed by a | | | | are providing. Don’t forget, too, that the |
| combination of global Internet interests. With | | | | inclusion of keywords has the potential to improve |
| deregulation came cheap domain names, because one | | | | your site’s ranking in connection with the |
| of ICANN’s main aims was the | | | | results returned by search engines. |
| encouragement of greater competition in the domain | | | | If you want to register a domain name with a |
| registration industry. There are now many | | | | well-known ending such as .com or .net, as well as. |
| competitors and, depending on the provider, domain | | | | aero, .biz, .com, .coop, .info, .museum, .name, .org or |
| names are now priced at around | | | | .pro, you can do so through one of the many |
| ₤5-₤10 a year, a far cry from the | | | | competing registrars accredited by ICANN. You will |
| expensive prices that formerly prevailed. | | | | need to provide the registrar of your choice with |
| Even before the advent of cheap domain names, a | | | | contact and technical information. The technical |
| domain name was considered essential for major | | | | information will go to a central registry from where it |
| businesses. Customers now expect businesses to | | | | will be provided to other computers so their users |
| have easily accessible websites. Without a domain | | | | can locate your site or e-mail you. With the ease and |
| name, a business website is less easy to find and has | | | | speed of registration and the availability of cheap |
| a less professional appearance. With the availability of | | | | domain names, registering a domain is well worth the |
| cheap domain names providing even greater incentive | | | | effort. Whether you are selling products or offering a |
| to secure your own domain name, registration also | | | | service, or just want your name up there for some |
| gives you the benefits of having such information as | | | | other reason, a domain name ensures that your |
| your company’s name or product names | | | | information can reach as many people as possible. |
| made easy for prospective customers to find. This is | | | | |