| This is the third article of a series created for | | | | provides this as a service. Otherwise, one would |
| website building beginners and newcomers. In this | | | | have to learn how to do programming, which could |
| series we are lifting some of the confusion which | | | | take years. So instead, we provide the hosting |
| stems from words and terms that are unknown to | | | | service with our domain name and our website, and |
| the beginner. By giving some simple explanation to | | | | this service "hosts" it to the internet for us. We can |
| just a few terms, the newcomer gains the | | | | look at this as similar to putting an ad in the |
| knowledge needed to learn how to build a website. | | | | newspaper--You write the ad (your website), give it |
| In this article we are going to go a bit further into | | | | to the newspaper (upload your website), and they |
| "What is a Domain Name?", continued from Part 2 of | | | | get it out to the public for you. Now, you can pay |
| this series. The topics discussed will be: How to get a | | | | for a specific hosting service, although many |
| domain name and Where to get a domain name. In | | | | registrars provide this service for free when you |
| order to explain these, we will also touch on "What is | | | | register a domain name with them. There are also |
| a Domain Name Registrar?" and "What is Domain | | | | free website template sites that offer free hosting, |
| Name Hosting?" Firstly, it is recommended that you | | | | although they may put ads on your site in return for |
| read or review the first two articles, where we | | | | not charging. Again, the choice is yours, so when the |
| covered the following: | | | | time comes, shop around a little before you decide |
| --Part 1-- | | | | which hosting service fits your needs. |
| 1. What is the function of your website? | | | | Now that we have learned a bit about Registrars and |
| 2. Choose a method to build a website. | | | | Hosting, we can focus on HOW and WHERE to get a |
| 3. Why should you build your own website. | | | | domain name. This is a pretty straight forward |
| --Part 2-- | | | | process and not at all difficult, as you will see. |
| 1. What is a Web page? | | | | 1. HOW TO GET A DOMAIN NAMEWhen you are |
| 2. What is an IP address? | | | | choosing a domain name, you should first consider |
| 3. What is a URL? | | | | exactly what your website is for. You want people |
| 4. What is a Domain Name? | | | | to easily locate and remember your domain name, so |
| In Part 2, we compared a Domain Name to a listing in | | | | it should reflect on what your site is about. If it is for |
| a phone book, as it identifies the location of a | | | | your business, you may want to put your business |
| specific web page. It is important for people to be | | | | name in. If it is a personal site, you may want to |
| able to find your website by using your specific | | | | simply use your name. But if your site is about |
| domain name, so you should choose one carefully. | | | | something specific, for example--pets, you may want |
| We will go over some tips on choosing in the next | | | | to choose something that is related to that-- like |
| article, but for the moment we will go into HOW and | | | | "coolpets.com". You then simply request the |
| WHERE to get a domain name. First, though, we will | | | | availability of your domain name. |
| need to learn two new terms--Domain Name | | | | 2. WHERE TO GET A DOMAIN NAME |
| Registrar, and Domain Name Hosting. | | | | Once you decide on a domain name choice, you will |
| 1. What is a Domain Name Registrar? | | | | need to go to a Domain Name Registrar site. There, |
| A domain name registrar is a service that lists domain | | | | you will simply type in your request, and you will be |
| names and their availability. You will need to go online | | | | provided with a list of choices, options, and the |
| to one of these services, type in a domain name | | | | availability of the domain name. Then you simply |
| request, and they will list all the possible options of | | | | choose from this list, which is very easy to do and is |
| this name, along with their availability. It is similar to | | | | a simple follow the steps process on the registrar |
| requesting a personalized plate for your car. You | | | | site. There are many registrars online, and again, they |
| make a request for the plate you want, and the | | | | all work about the same. Look around a little and find |
| DMV tells you if it is available. If not, they will give | | | | one that appeals to you. |
| you similar options to choose from. The same is true | | | | Knowing how and where to get your domain name is |
| for a registrar service. This is provided for free and is | | | | actually the easy part. CHOOSING your domain name |
| pretty straight forward on their sites. An example of | | | | is also not difficult, but IS fairly important, as this is |
| a registrar service is GoDaddy.com, which I have | | | | how people will find your website. Therefore, in the |
| used for my most recent domain name searches. | | | | next article we will discuss some of the choices and |
| However, there are many registrars to be found | | | | offer some tips to help you choose a good domain |
| online and they all work about the same so the | | | | name. In the meantime, give a little thought to some |
| choice is completely yours. | | | | possible options for your domain name, but try to |
| 2. What is Domain Name Hosting | | | | relate it to what your website will be used for, and |
| Domain Name Hosting is what actually gets your | | | | we will then go over some options that will help |
| website online for the world to see. First you create | | | | narrow your decision down. |
| your own website, and then you "upload" it to a | | | | Keep with it! You now already know more than most |
| domain name hosting service. There is a world of | | | | people even TRY to learn. Give yourself a pat on the |
| technical information and programming involved in | | | | back and let's continue together in the next article on |
| getting a website tied into the internet, and "hosting" | | | | How To Build Your First Website. |