How to Choose, Register or Transfer a Domain

ign="center">your future Web Hostingservice for this information,
How to Choose, Register or Transfer a Domainif you don't have it handy.
NameWhat is the DNS system?
Copyright 2002 Herman DrostIt is the computer action of changing domain names
Every professional business should be keeping upintonumeric Internet protocol (IP) numbers which
with thedemands and needs of its customers, if it isenablescomputers to locate web sites and e-mail.
to survive. One ofthe essential tools of any businessIf you haven't chosen a Web Host, then park your
these days is to have aprofessional web site. Thisdomain namewith your domain name registrar (this is
begins with choosing and registeringa domain namea temporary location tostore your domain until you
that will clearly identify and brand your businessonlineare ready to have it hosted).
for many years to come, so you need to chooseHow to transfer a domain name.
wisely.There may be several reasons why you would want
How to choose a domain nameto transfer:
1. If you want your web site to have an added-Renewing Domain Names
advantage in thesearch engines, think of a domainThere is a good chance that you could save money
name that includes keywordsvisitors would search foron domainname renewals by transferring them to a
in the main search engines.different registrar.
2. Make a list of all the possible names that would suitCheck out the prices from different registrars at
yourbusiness (i.e. contains resources for buildingyourBefore renewing a domain name, make sure you
own web site or getting one built). Use forresearchingknow whichregistrar the domain name is actually
domain names. NameBoy will generate domainregistered with.
namesbased on the keywords you enter. If theis the only WhoIs known that handlesthe CORE
dotcom name you want isnot available, create aregistrars as well as the ICANN ones.
longer name that describes your businessor use-You parked your domain name and have now found
names that include hyphens (i.e. ihost-websites.com)a Web Hostto upload your site to.
3. If possible, keep your domain name short so it is-You are not happy with the service or are paying
easy tospell and easy to remember. Take intotoo much foryour current web host and want to
account someone mayremember the name butswitch to another.
forget there is a hyphen in it — you thenmiss1. If you are transferring your domain name to
out on those potential customers.another web host,download (copy) all files to your
4. If the dotcom name is not available, try the othercomputer from your old host.
newabbreviations such as .BIZ .US,.INFO, .TV. TheseSometimes files may be stored on your host but not
are not aspopular as .COM, however you may geton yourcomputer, so doing this will ensure you
closer to the name youwant.downloaded the whole site.
How to register a domain nameKeep a copy of your files on the old host, while you
1. Any company that sells domain names must betransfer toanother host, so you won't experience
registeredand accredited with iCann - The Internetany downtime of your web site.
Corporation for2. Open a new hosting account.
Assigned Names and Numbers (3. Change the DNS (domain name system) or Name
You can get a domain name for under $10 fromServer informationon the current domain name to
Read carefully what's on their site as you go throughthe new hosting company name servers.
theregistration process. It's easy to inadvertently signYou can find this information by going to the domain
upfor other services you don't need.name registrar
For a current list of companies that are accredited(the place where you registered your domain name).
asregistrars by iCann, visit Internic ( Subscribe FREEYour domain will take some time (24-72 hours) to
topropagate overthe Internet, before it appears on the
Marketing Tips Newsletternew hosting company servers.
Receive your FREE trial download of this ebook for4. Upload all files to the new host.
subscribing:5. Amend and test your web site. Check that all files
Namehave beenuploaded from your computer and that
Emailyour web site appearsexactly as it did before.
How to Choose a Hosting Company6. Cancel the previous hosting account when you are
How Much Hosting Space Do You Need?satisfiedwith the transfer of your domain name to
Hosting from $30/yearthe new host.
2. Register your domain name in your own name, notA Great Tip for registering several domain names.
someoneelse's. Sometimes your host may do this forSince domain names are so cheap these days
you. This couldcause you problems in the future,(they used to cost $35/year), you can afford to
should you decide to transferyour domain to anotherown severaldomains. Each domain can have its own
hosting company.web site. Mostsmall sites use less than 5MB of
3. Renewal - you have had your site on the Web forhosting space, so you couldhost several sites for a
a year, salesare pouring in when suddenly, your sitesmall price.
disappears — it won'tshow up anymore! WhatWhat are the benefits of doing this?
happened? Well, you forgot to renew yourdomainLinking each of these web sites together and
name. Hopefully this will never happen to you!submitting them tothe search engines will increase
When you sign up for a new domain name, makeyour sites search engine rankings.
sure your domainname registrar will send a reminderIt will also broaden the places visitors can access
when your domain name isabout to expire.your business.
4. When asked about DNS server (domain nameGenerating a continuous traffic flow leads to more
system) or Namesales.
Server information, insert your Primary Name ServerYou have now implemented and solved one of your
andcrucialmarketing strategies.
Secondary Name Server information — ask