What You Need To Know About Domain Names and Registration

CAUTION!!!!

When you have a third party, (web design firm, or web host), register your domain name for you, make sure YOU are listed as the owner!!! Disreputable Web Design firms will register themselves as the owner so you won't even own the name you are paying for!!!

Q. What is a "domain name"?

A. Domain name is computer lingo for the "www" names you see all over the World Wide Web. Domain suffixes (.com, org, .net, .gov, etc.) subdivide organizations ( .com=commercial business, .gov=government, etc. ) loosely into categories. You can find out more about domain names (and especially, whether your name is even available) at the Network Solutions web site. 

Q. What domain name should I choose?

A. Your domain name ideally should be the same as your business name. If your business is entirely online, try to pick a name that is representative of your company's product or service. Ideally, the name should also be easy to remember and spell.

Q. How much does a domain name cost ?

A. Domain Name Registrars (like Verisign) fees vary. Verisign is an accredited domain name registrar that currently leases domain names for $35 per year. There are accredited domain name registrars that will lease you domain names for as little as $10.00 per year.

Q. Why should my business have a domain name?

A. Mostly because it is easier for a person to remember and type in a name like www.arcadianblue.com than some strange name like http://www.personal.psu.edu/cmb363/ But more importantly, this is your online business name, your "street address" in the www world, which ideally should be the same as your business name.  

Q. How do I obtain my domain name ?

A. After you've decided on a web host, you would normally have your provider ( ISP or Web Host ) obtain your domain name from one of ICANN's accredited Domain Name Registrar. Your provider has the web server IP addresses that a registrar will need at the time of registration. If you have your own web server (and a permanent, not "dial-up" connection to the Internet), you can register your domain name with a registrar yourself.