Webmaster Online Tutorials – Step 1 Domain Name Registration

Domain Name Registration is your first step towards getting your business online so you need to get thing right. There are lots of domain name registration companies offering cut-price deals so which one should you choose?

Research Domain Names

Your first step is to choose a domain name

My personal preference is to use www.name.com/name as it allows you search for a domain, keyword or phrase. Once you enter your name and press search it will return all extensions available as well as suggested alternative domain names.

For "Top Level Domain" or TLD there are 3 main choices:

• .com is the most popular registration choice. .com is the chosen TLD for commercial sites because users are accustomed to hearing and typing .com
• .net is the second most popular registration. Originally intended for network providers, the .net is an unrestricted domain name extension.
• .org domain typically implies the associated website is a non-profit organization, non-governmental agency (NGO), or a grass roots campaign focused on activism and/or education

For Country Specific Domains you will need to find the country internet registrant see the full list at: Wikipedia.org

Mistakes to avoid when choosing a domain name.

• Keep the domain name as short as possible.
  Remember your domain name should brandable, catchy and memorable
• Don't choose names with more than one meaning.
  e.g. Experts-Exchange.com is a hugely popular website for solving computer problems, but their original domain name. ExpertsExchange.com could have been embarrasingly read as ExpertSexChange.com!
• Make it as easy to spell as possible.
  You can always use initials instead of the full business name if it is too long.
• Watch out for Similar Sites
  There's lots of websites online with similar domain names. If you are already in a competitive market make sure your domain name does not resemble other competitors in the market to avoid confusing your audience and lose business.

Ok I found a Domain Name and it is available. What Do I Do now?

Register it now... before it is taken!

For Top Level Domain names (.com, .net, .org) I suggest using GoDaddy.com to register your domain name

Why them?

• Price - They are among the most competitive in the world on price.
• You stay in Control - They allow you full access to controlling the administration, technical and contact details - some registrants make it very difficult for you to change these details.
• Service - Changes you will make to your domain DNS are propogated around the world in 15 mins. Not 2 days like some registrants I could mention!
• Add on Services - Parking (not using your domain name right now) They allow you make money by showing advertising on your domain name.

The IEDR (www.domainregistry.ie) is the registry for .ie Internet Domain Names

To find a full list of resellers go to: http://www.domainregistry.ie/ListResellers.php any of the domain providers listed should offer a good service.