Domain name: Why you need one for your online business

Domain Name Registration

The domain name is an identification string that is used to recognize a particular website on the internet. This name is also subject to rules of autonomy and authority on the web. It is the address given to a particular website and naming is governed by the rules of the Domain Name System (DNS). It may happen that the prior to the domain registration process, it is realized that the name has already been taken. In this case, one of the options is to wait for the domain to expire and then buy it. However, a more viable option is to explore other extensions such as .info, .biz or .net. If the domain owner is willing to sell the name, the same can also be purchased.

The amount of money to be paid in order to buy domain names would depend on the market value of the name. As an example, .com extensions have a higher demand as compared to others such as .net, .biz or country specific extensions (.au, .uk). Before choosing a domain name, it is important to understand the connect it makes with the business products or services. Apart from the above, a domain name is also the equivalent of a set of numbers that are used to identify networked servers, namely an I.P. address. Since it is hard to remember numbers, these have been converted into names.

What does selection of the domain name depend upon

Based on the type of marketing strategy that is deployed to promote the company, the procedure to buy domain names should be examined accordingly. The job of this name is not just to build brand awareness but also to reinforce the strength of the corporate brand. It is also important that the domain name is capable of getting repeat traffic. It should be possible to generate online leads and sales from the same. The name is the one that will attract customers initially and web content will keep viewers interested, converting some of them into customers.

What to keep in mind while choosing a domain name

To drive web traffic towards one's website, it is important to keep the domain name as simple as possible. Unnecessary use of numbers may not be preferred by most users, or give a feeling of ambiguity. For local businesses, it is strongly recommended that .com names are chosen. Similarly, for a non profit organisation, a .org extension is the best bet to generate appropriate hits and funding. Apart from this, if the chosen name is not liked by the owner, it can always be changed at a later date.

Domain Registration: How it can work for you?

Domain name is an identification string, which is used for creating rules of autonomy and authority on the Internet. It is the address given to a particular website and naming is governed by the rules of the Domain Name System (DNS). To make these names work, the domain has to be registered with the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). Domain registration does not imply that the website has been activated automatically. For visitors to be able to see the desired webpage when they type the address in the browser, a website needs to have a numeric address known as the I.P. address, which traces the exact location of the hosting server. All domain names and I.P. addresses are stored in a common database.

The purpose of a domain name

Businesses are able to prosper more when they are able to reach a wide target audience. Based on domain availability, a particular name is selected, which helps to identify one's business website on the Internet. The name should be closely related to the nature of business, so that potential customers are able to locate the same easily on the Internet. In short, the domain name serves as an identity to the business and allows it to stand out from the competition.

Apart from the above, domain registration companies charge a certain fee every year to make sure that the website is legal. Details of registration should be available on a publicly visible database known as Whois.    

How to choose the best web hosting after completing domain registration

After domain registration, it is necessary to choose an appropriate web hosting company for linking with the world wide web. A small business would be looking to save money during the initial stages and so choosing a free web hosting company could be a good solution. Though ads will be displayed on one's website, storage space in such cases is limited. As a tip, it is advisable to complete domain registration with a company different from the web hosting one, so that control of the domain name can be retained even if hosting companies are switched later. It is also suitable to choose web hosting companies that have POP3 capabilities, so that email services can also be used.

One needs to check that the web hosting company is reliable and has been in the business for several number of years. A track record of success will ensure that one's website is built on a solid foundation. If it is possible to use a web hosting company that signs in to the internet through multiple connections instead of a single one, it is best as the website would then not go offline. Another thing to keep in mind is that web hosting services would require constant upgrades. With the chosen domain name, it is necessary to choose a package which can easily be upgraded, depending on the size of the business.