| Somehow you've found your way to the internet, | | | | dealing with domain names for quite some time now, |
| and if you're reading this article, then you are one | | | | so I've dealt with many domain name registrars. An |
| step closer to registering your first domain name. | | | | important factor that you may not consider right |
| Whether you're looking to register a name for a | | | | away is how much control you have over your |
| personal blog, or for your online business, the right | | | | domain name(s). The key is going with a company |
| domain name can mean the difference between | | | | that has a well known reputation. Reputations speak |
| success and failure. | | | | for themselves. The company you choose should |
| Once you are familiar with the basics, you will feel | | | | have outstanding customer support and a simple |
| confident enough to make a sensible decision, and | | | | control panel so that you can easily control your |
| find the best domain name solution for your specific | | | | domain name settings. |
| needs. | | | | For domain name registration, I recommend two |
| What is a domain name? The best way to | | | | companies. 1. and 2) |
| understand the concept of a domain name is to think | | | | Both of these companies have outstanding |
| of it as a mask, or the alphanumeric equivalent of an | | | | reputations, plus offer the best control panels I've |
| ip address. This mask allows you to access web | | | | seen. The last thing you want is to be overwhelmed |
| pages on the internet in an easy to remember way. | | | | by your domain name. If it so happens that you don't |
| For example the domain name for this site is That is | | | | like the registrars I've recommended, feel free to do |
| a lot easier to remember than something that looks | | | | your own research, and find a company that works |
| like 24.195.85.161, which is what the ip address that | | | | for you and your business. |
| the domain name is masking. Your domain name will | | | | The Aftermarket |
| essentially become your online identity, and how your | | | | Unless the domain name you want to register is very |
| visitors will be able to find your website in the | | | | unique, I wouldn't count on it being available for |
| endless sea of sites that is the web. | | | | registration using the .com extension. That's not to |
| Understanding the parts Now that you have a basic | | | | say that it's not for sale, however. After you try to |
| understanding of what a domain name is, you are | | | | register your name, and you find that has already |
| ready to understand the individual parts of the | | | | been registered, go directly to the web address on |
| domain name. Again we will use for our example. The | | | | the net, and see what's there. Sometimes there will |
| www stands for "world wide web" which | | | | be a developed website, sometimes there will be |
| encompasses all things accessible on the internet. The | | | | nothing but an error page, and sometimes you will |
| second part, which is the part where some minor | | | | find that the domain name is for sale by owner. You |
| creativity will help, is the domain name - in our | | | | can then attempt to contact the current owner to |
| example, this would be domainbash. This, more often | | | | purchase the domain on the aftermarket. |
| times than not, is also the name of your website, or | | | | Domain names are generally more expensive on the |
| business. Last, we have the TLD - Top Level Domain, | | | | aftermarket, so expect to pay more than you would |
| or the extension. There are various extensions | | | | if you were registering the domain name through a |
| available for your consideration. | | | | company like Keep in mind the domain name market |
| TLDs In Depth TLDs can be further broken down | | | | is competitive. The cost can be tremendous |
| into gTLDs (generic top level domains) and ccTLDs | | | | depending on the demand for the name. If you are |
| (country code top level domains). | | | | just starting out, using an alternative extension would |
| Generic Top Level Domains gTLDs .aero - airport | | | | be a better option for you. Those will a larger budget |
| industry .biz - business .com - commercial, unrestricted | | | | should seriously consider investing in their first choice |
| .coop -cooperatives .edu - US education .gov - US | | | | domain name if the option is available. |
| government .info - informational, unrestricted .mil - US | | | | Whatever you decide to do, remember that your |
| military .museum - museums .name - individuals .net - | | | | domain name is your web presence. You want |
| networks,unrestricted .org - organizations, | | | | people to remember your domain name, and never |
| unrestricted | | | | forget it. Try to choose something that represents |
| Country Code Top Level Domains ccTLDs There are | | | | your website or business, while being memorable and |
| over 240 ccTLDs which correspond to country | | | | pleasant to say aloud. People tend to forget |
| codes. Some ccTLDs offer open registration, while | | | | cumbersome domain names with too many words. |
| others restrict their usage. Some that offer open | | | | Try to keep it as short as possible, if possible and let |
| registration are .cc - Cocos (Keeling) Islands, .bz - | | | | it flow. |
| Belize, and .ws - Western Samoa, to name just a | | | | I chose because it related to domain names, without |
| few. The entire list can be found at the Globe | | | | being restrictive. It is also unique which allows me |
| Domains Blog - | | | | trademark or brand the name. Combining a more |
| Using ccTLDs that are available to you in your area is | | | | common keyword, in this case "domain" with another |
| a good way to get a quality domain name that suits | | | | word that is less commonly used "bash" is always a |
| your website or business. | | | | good idea if you want to include keywords in your |
| Using a ccTLD is no different than using the more | | | | domain. |
| popular gTLDs, and you will have a better chance of | | | | If you have any questions relating to this article, and |
| obtaining the domain name you really want, rather | | | | you still don't feel prepared to register a domain |
| than settling for a .com domain name that is just | | | | name, please feel free to contact me by visiting one |
| so-so. | | | | of the sources below, and I will help you in any way |
| Where should I register my domain? I have been | | | | that I can. |