| Your domain name is something like this: It should | | | | this person to create your new site? Hey, things |
| convey something about the content of your site | | | | happen. He or she controls your domain name and |
| but sometimes doesn't. Your domain name is used by | | | | your current site computer files! You need to take |
| people to get to your site. Type it into your address | | | | control of your domain name because this is the key |
| bar and press enter - your home page displays. In | | | | to your site. The files can be replaced, the domain |
| browser terms, it's your internet address. It's how | | | | name can't. There's only one domain name and you |
| people recognize and find you. | | | | don't have control! |
| Domain names can be free if nobody is using it or if | | | | What to do if you have a new domain name: |
| it is being used you may be able to purchase it from | | | | - Open an account with a domain name registrar |
| the current owner. Once you decide on a domain | | | | (GoDaddy, Network Solutions, Tucows). |
| name and find that it's available, you have to register | | | | - Register your domain name. |
| it. You do this through what's called a domain name | | | | - Pay for private registration to prevent your email |
| registrar. A domain name registrar keeps track of | | | | & personal information from being public. |
| who owns what domain. By registering it, you acquire | | | | - Set the domain name to automatically renew. You'll |
| ownership. Obviously, you can't register a domain | | | | be billed automatically. |
| name that's currently being used. There's an annual | | | | - Decide who will create your site and ask them for |
| fee to register a domain name. The fee can be as | | | | the domain name server addresses (there will be two |
| low as $10.00 per year. | | | | as one's a backup address). |
| Along with registering the domain name, you control | | | | - Enter the domain name server (DNS) addresses at |
| the location of your web site. Your web site resides | | | | the registrar. |
| on a computer somewhere. You enter the location of | | | | - Be glad you're in control! |
| the computer at the registrar. These entries take the | | | | What to do if you don't have control of your domain |
| domain name (like MyWebSite.com) and send people | | | | name: |
| to a specific computer. This computer holds the | | | | - Open an account with a domain name registrar |
| computer files for your site and sends the | | | | (GoDaddy, Network Solutions, Tucows). |
| appropriate web page to the browser of the person | | | | - Contact the person who has control of your |
| who requested it. The computer is usually owned by | | | | domain name and tell them you want to take control |
| a web hosting company. Web hosting companies | | | | of your domain name; you want the domain name |
| charge a monthly, quarterly or annual fee to make | | | | transferred to your account. |
| your computer files available as a web site. The cost | | | | - Contact your domain name registrar and ask them |
| can be as low as $10.00 per month. | | | | how to have the domain transferred to your |
| Here's a typical scenario for most web site owners: | | | | account. The process is different with each registrar. |
| You decide you want a web site for your business, | | | | This can be a confusing and tedious process. Don't |
| passion or blog. You don't know how to set up a | | | | give up! |
| web site so you pay someone to do it for you. This | | | | - Register your domain. |
| person also registers the domain name with a | | | | - Pay for private registration to prevent your email |
| registrar because you don't know how to do that | | | | & personal information from being public. |
| either. You pay this person to host your site and for | | | | - Set it to automatically renew. You'll be billed |
| the annual registration of your domain. This person | | | | automatically. |
| now has control of your domain name because they | | | | - Get the domain name server addresses (there will |
| registered it. This is definitely not good! | | | | be two as one's a backup address) from the person |
| What if you have a disagreement with this person? | | | | who had control. |
| What if they stop providing web site services? What | | | | - Enter the domain name server (DNS) addresses at |
| if they can't provide services due to illness or death? | | | | the registrar. |
| What if you want a redesigned site but don't want | | | | - Be glad you're in control! Take control today! |