What is a Domain Name and How Do I Register It?

What is a Domain Name?

A domain name is a Web address, such as coolexample.com, that is linked to an IP address (which represents a physical point on the Internet). The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) is the governing body that coordinates links between IP addresses and domain names across the Internet, so you can find Web sites by entering domain names instead of IP addresses into your Web browser.

For example, think of an IP address as an address for a house or business, such as the White House. The address, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue is comparable to an IP address, and the name you know it as, the White House, is comparable to a domain name.

A domain name consists of a top-level and a second-level domain. A top-level domain (TLD), or domain extension, is the part of the domain name located to the right of the dot (coolexample.com). The most common domain extensions are .COM, .NET, and .ORG. Some other popular domain extensions are .BIZ, .INFO, .NAME, and .WS. These common extensions have certain guidelines, but are usually available to any registrant, anywhere in the world.

There are also restricted top-level domains (rTLDs), like .AERO, .BIZ, .EDU, .MIL, .MUSEUM, .NAME, and .PRO that require registrants to represent a certain type of entity or to belong to a certain community. For example, the .NAME domain extension is reserved for individuals, while .EDU is reserved for educational entities.
Country-code TLDs (ccTLDs) are for Web sites and registrants of a particular geographic location, such as .BZ (Belize), .CA (Canada), .DK (Denmark), .EC (Ecuador), .IE (Republic of Ireland), .UK (United Kingdom), .US (United States), and .ZW (Zimbabwe).

The part of the domain name located to the left of the dot (coolexample.com) is called the second-level domain (SLD) name. The second-level domain name is the "readable" part of the address and refers to the organization or entity behind the Internet address. Second-level domain names must be unique on the Internet and registered with an ICANN-accredited registrar.

How do domain names work?

Registering a domain doesn't automatically make your Web site appear when visitors enter your domain into a Web browser. You have to upload your Web site to a computer that hosts the site and assigns a numeric address, called an IP address, to your domain. Your domain and associated IP address are stored in a database with every other domain and associated IP address. When visitors enter your domain into a Web browser, your domain works like an address forwarding service by forwarding visitors to the IP address where your Web site is stored. We use domain names instead of IP addresses because most people find it easier to remember a name rather than a series of numbers.

When you register a domain, you do not have to create and upload a Web site. You can also:

Sell it. Domains can be a great investment. If you have registered a domain that you are not using, maybe someone else can. Log in to your Account Manager and set up a For Sale parked page for your domain. Don't forget to include your contact information.

Protect your brand online. The more domains you register, the better. Prevent others from registering a similar domain to yours'just to steal away your customers. What to do with all these names? Forward them to your main domain.

Hold on to it. Maybe you haven't decided what to do with your new domain. Don't worry - there's no rush. You can leave it parked with us for the length of your registration.

For new .COM and .NET domains and updates, it may take up to eight hours for changes to become effective. It may take up to 48 hours for changes made to all other domain extensions to become effective. This is because of the number of networks and agencies involved. Delays apply to all domains and registrars. Please allow for this delay when planning Web sites or configuring a domain to work with your email.

Registering Domains http://www.greatdomainnow.com

If your domain is available, you can register it for a period of time that you specify during the checkout process. You can use your domain to build your business and assist you in creating a dynamic online identity. You may also want to consider registering multiple domain names to:

-Keep your competition from registering a domain name that draws customers to them instead of you.
-Promote the different products and services you offer.
-Drive more traffic to your Web site.
-Enjoy more opportunities to market to, and be listed on, search engines.
-Create distinct advertising strategies that reach different target markets.
-Provide customers more ways to find you when searching the Internet.

To secure a name on the web for our site, you have to do a little research. Find and select an authorized domain registrar that is approved by ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) the authority that manages the international Domain Name Server database, and ensures that all domain names are unique and map properly to a specific IP address. While selecting the domain registrar scrutinize their trustworthiness through various means such as by checking their review on the net, their customer base, prices, special offers, twenty-four hour support services, etc. You should select only that registrar who is giving you complete control over our domain. There are many registrars who hide some critical information for the customers and secure the rights to some very important settings in a domain such as changing the DNS servers.

To register domain name, make a short list of preferred domains that are suitable. The name should be easy to remember and search friendly. Enter your preferred domain name in the search box, and select the TLD extension (.com, .net, etc.) you want to search under. Then click the "Go" button to see if that domain name is available for you to register.

In the event that the desired domain name under the TLD you wanted has already been taken, other options are available. Most registrars have an intelligent interface that will automatically check to see if the same name is available to register with a different TLD extension like (.net, .org, .biz, .us, .name, .ws, etc.), and offer you the option of registering your preferred name with one of those extensions instead. You may do so either in addition to your first choice in a domain name, or instead of your first choice. Consider based on your individual or business needs purchasing several other similar domain names to protect your name, your brand, and your identity on the internet. This often helps to prevent others from stealing the identity you have worked hard to establish. The need to do this will vary depending on your website and its intended purpose.

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