| On the World Wide Web your domain name is your | | | | There are two main ways you can get a domain |
| own unique identity. No two parties can ever hold the | | | | name. You can either register your domain name |
| same domain name simultaneously; therefore your | | | | yourself or you can get your web host or ISP |
| Internet identity is totally unique. If you have a | | | | (Internet Service Provider) to register it for you. |
| business site on the Internet your domain name is | | | | To register a domain name yourself you will need to |
| your own online brand and in a sense you can use | | | | choose a Registrar. A Registrar is an ICANN |
| your domain name as your online business card. With | | | | accredited domain registration company. There are |
| your own domain name your web site, and e-mail | | | | hundreds of Registrars on the Internet nowadays. |
| addresses for example will have that professional | | | | The market is becoming increasingly competitive; |
| look, being unique to your business. Many people | | | | which means that you can purchase domains names |
| often miss the importance of having and then | | | | for a low yearly fee. |
| keeping their domain name until they lose it. Once this | | | | Most web hosting companies will offer domain |
| happens they soon realize that they have lost their | | | | registration services to their clients. When you |
| whole online identity. | | | | register a domain name through a web host they will |
| How does a domain name work? | | | | register your domain name for you through their own |
| To understand why you need a domain name you | | | | approved registrar. An advantage to having your |
| first need to know how a domain name works. | | | | web host register your domain name for you is that, |
| A domain name is an addressing construct, used for | | | | they have probably done this process many times |
| finding and identifying computers on the Internet. | | | | before; they have all the necessary information |
| Computers use Internet Protocol (IP) Addresses, | | | | ready at hand. This process will save you time and, |
| which are a series of numbers used to identify each | | | | as long as you give the correct’ domain |
| other on the Internet; however, many people find it | | | | name desired, there will be no unfamiliar dealings with |
| hard to remember IP Addresses. Because of this, | | | | Registrars. |
| domain names were developed so that easily | | | | Why should I keep my domain name registered? |
| remembered names and phrases could be used to | | | | If you loose your domain name you can loose your |
| identify entities in the Internet instead of using an IP | | | | whole online identity. |
| Address. | | | | Because you can only register a domain name for a |
| For example, the domain name M6.net identifies the | | | | year or so, you will need to make sure that you |
| company M6.net. When a user types the domain | | | | renew it before the expiry date. Once your domain |
| name M6.net in their browser or sends an email to | | | | name expires you will no longer own that domain |
| M6.net, the Domain Name System (DNS) will translate | | | | name. Your Registrar will then own it and be able to |
| the domain name into IP numbers. These are then | | | | sell your domain name to the highest bidder. To |
| used by the Internet to connect the user to | | | | make sure you don’t loose your domain name |
| M6.net’s web presence. | | | | you will need to make sure you renew your domain |
| What should I use as a domain name? | | | | name at least two weeks before it expires. |
| You can use a word or phrase as a domain name. | | | | Also make sure that your information is registered |
| When thinking of a domain name, think of catchy | | | | properly, especially if you didn’t register your |
| words or phrases that are easy to remember and | | | | domain name yourself. Ensure that your information is |
| that will bring more traffic to your site. Try to use a | | | | displayed as the registrant, administrative and billing |
| domain name that is relevant to your web site. If | | | | contacts; most importantly make sure that the email |
| your web site is a business site, it is a good idea to | | | | addresses for these contacts are ACTIVE. When |
| use the companies name as the domain name or if | | | | you receive any information about your domain |
| your site is a personal site try to think of a domain | | | | name, such as renewals, price changes, etc
an |
| name that is related to the topic of your web site. | | | | email will be sent to this email address. If you |
| Also try to keep your domain name as short as | | | | can’t receive any mail from the email |
| possible, around 5 to 20 characters is fine. The | | | | addresses listed under the domain names contact |
| shorter the domain name the easier it will be to | | | | then you are at risk of not receiving important |
| remember. | | | | notifications about your domain names, which could |
| One thing to keep in mind is assumed spelling issues; | | | | result in loosing your domain name. |
| if you think up a clever’ domain name such | | | | People often miss the importance of having their |
| as — One Love For You (dating service), | | | | own unique domain name for their web sites. A |
| people may type in believing this is the domain name; | | | | domain name represents you, your company and |
| or oneluv4u.com, or etc. This leads to brand | | | | your online presence; as does a business |
| problems. In this case the oneloveforyou.com | | | | card’. If you don’t have your own |
| name would be best. Another unfortunate example: | | | | domain name you won’t be able to promote |
| Flo Office Supplies — | | | | your own online identity and web site on the World |
| How do I acquire a domain name? | | | | Wide Web. |