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What is a Domain Name? |
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A domain name is also called a URL
(Universal Resource Locator). In basic terms, it is the special
address that your clients type into an internet browser to get to your
web pages. My domain name is "laurellynn.com". You type it
in the address portions of your internet browser and your browser
takes you to my web pages. Magic? Not quite. Read
on. |
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How do I get a
Domain Name? |
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Domain names are not free. You are going to have to pay
for one if you want your clients to go to a particular URL that
you want. Such as "www.yourcompanyname.com"
or "www.yourorganizationsname.org".
There are numerous companies out there who offer this service.
I will not mention any because that will give them free
advertising of which I am not receiving a commission, but they
are easy to find.
Go to any search engine and type in "Domain Names". Be
prepared to do some comparison shopping. When you have
selected a company, follow their instructions. They are
going to ask you what name do you want. Enter that
information. The company will then search out there in
Cyber Land to see if the name has been taken and they will let
you know. When you have selected the name you want, they
will ask you for your name, address, and eventually a charge
card number to pay for that name. Before you do this,
you need to read on. |
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What should I be
aware of BEFORE I get a Domain Name? |
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Aah! There are always catches to any business deal.
Let me mention a few here and I am sorry if I miss any.
Contact me
if you discover any others.
- When you receive your domain name, you do not own it until the
end of eternity, you are basically "renting" it. The
correct term is registering. They will offer you terms
such as 1,5, or 9 years. It is up to you to decide how
long you want this name. It is usually cheaper per year if
you do it for the long run. Prices will vary.
- If you let your domain name registration expire, your domain
name will go away and is available to anyone else in the world.
Which means someone else can "rent" it and put things on the
site that you may feel are offensive. This has happened to
sites formally aimed at children, which are now X-rated.
Do you want your clients to go to your domain name and find
smut? I don't think so. If you want it back, you may have to pay
a lot of money to get it back. Find the money and renew your
registration! You will be happier for it.
- There may be a company out there with a similar name.
One that you don't want associated with yours. Perhaps
another name might be better in the long run.
- Try to use a name that is unique. Not a name that is
similar, for example, to a Fortune 500 company or other large
corporation. They have enough money to make your life very
uncomfortable and sue your pants off!
- You may want to have several versions of your domain name.
It will cost you more, but may help your clients locate you.
For example, let's say Xavier's Bar & Burger Joint is getting a
domain name. Let's assume that none of the following names
have been taken. He may choose:
xaviers.com or
xaviersbarandburger.com or
burgerjoint.com
Sometimes you never know what address people will type in
to try and find your web site, even when it is printed on all of
your company info AND in two foot letters on the highway
billboard. Xavier could register all three to himself and
have them all go to his one web site.
- The shorter the URL, the less your clients have to type in =
happy clients.
- Having a domain name does not mean you have a web host
(someone to store your web page files.) Although some
companies offer both services. Shop around for prices.
You can get your domain name from one company and have another
company host your web site. Your choice. |
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O.K. I am going to
go and get my Domain Name.
What else should I know? |
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When you register your domain name (and maybe hosting service
too), you are going to set up passwords. They will also be
giving you instructions and other information. PRINT THESE
PAGES OUT AND PUT THEM IN A SAFE PLACE!! Make sure you
know your account numbers and passwords. WRITE THEM DOWN!!
If you have forgotten or lost the information to your account,
it is not easy to retrieve. Because of increasing security
measures, which is a good thing, it is hard to get information
about your account without bending over backwards, doing two
flips, and landing on your feet with a rose still stuck in your
mouth. Companies that exist solely in Cyber Land are not easy to
get hold of. |
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What about those
"free" web sites you can get? |
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Didn't your mother teach you that there is no free lunch??
Yes, there are free site providers out there and if you decide
that that is what you want, then I am glad to accommodate you,
but.................
You may end up with a domain name that is very long. For
example:
www.yourfreeinternetcitysite.com/yourcompanyname/.
Or you may end up with pop-up ads and flashing banners all over
your site. I believe most people are reaching the end of
their tolerance levels regarding pop-ups. I have also won every
award imaginable for being the "Selected Winner". But, alas I
have a life in the real world. |
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But Laurel, I have a
migraine from reading all about the horrors of Domain Names!
I just don't want to deal with it! Can't you just do it
for me? |
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Sure, that's what I get paid the big bucks for (I wish).
Yes, I can do this for you. But you are still going to
have to make some decisions. First, have in mind what kind
of name you want. You should still type the name into an
internet browser and see if it is already taken. Have an
idea of how long you want this name for. How much are you
willing to pay? When you have answered these questions,
contact me. |
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