Ask the Network Guy!

There are several pieces to this puzzle that need to be considered and investigated.  Here are the basics steps, In this article I am going to discuss “Obtaining a Domain Name.”  I will talk about each of the steps, breaking them into smaller chunks of data as to be able to give the proper space for each.

• Obtain a Domain Name
• Find a Web Hosting Company
• Setup account with the Web Hosting Company, and setup any backend items needed
• Produce a Web Site
• Post your Web Site to your Web Hosting Company’s Server
• Update your Website as needed

            It is fairly simple process to obtain a domain name these days.  There are a number of sites that sell domain names, and will register your domain name with Internic the organization responsible for assigning IP addresses and hostnames.  They also have a great non-technical document CLICK HERE that explains how the Internet works.

            What is more important to you is your actual Domain Name.  You want to find a name that suits what you are doing, representing, selling, etc.   There are also those cases where the domain name has nothing to do with what is being sold, talked about, etc.  A good example is Amazon.com.  We all know them, and because they have done a great job around branding their name it works.  The second part of that story is that they envisioned being like the Amazon, where one can find just about anything, which is part of why they took that name.  So what do you want your name to be?  Is the name too long for people to remember?  Is the name taken?  So think of some names….

            Now that you have some names, go and see if they are available.  You can do this at www.networksolutions.com Type in your names and see if they show availability.  But availability is tricky…. Here is a good example.

Example: 

I have gone to the site, and I have put in the name sellmystuff because that is all I want to do is sell my stuff.  I click search and I find that the only available domain extensions (.com, .net, .org..etc) available are .name, .tv and .ws.  The question I need to ask is… do I want one of those extensions?  If I am working on branding my web site, will people remember my EXACT extension and not confuse me with the person who has .com..  So in this case I think I would rather find a new name.  So I try selltimspcs for Sell Tim’s PCs, kinda catchy and short enough.   Guess what that name is available as a .com, .net, .org,… actually all of them are available. 

Now that I have found a domain name, I think I will register the .com and the .net (the most popular and most remembered domain extensions for business.)  So while I am at Network Solutions, I click on the domain names that I want to register and click next, and follow the steps on the web site. 

            The steps are rather simple; provide name and billing information and select payment options, pay for the domain(s) and now you are an owner of a domain name.  However this is only providing a lease so to speak of the name, and is only the name.  I call it a lease of the name, because every year, two years, or more one has to re-register the name to continue to keep ownership.  So in a way you are leasing the name.  If in the future you do not renew your registration you will lose the rights to that name, and someone else can register the name and take over ownership. 

 Some Additional Items to Keep in Mind: 

      So keep that registration information in a safe place.  These days’ domain registration companies are good at reminding you to re-register your domain.  So much so that I often receive notices 6 months in advance to re-register.  There is no need to be overly cautious and part with your monies until needed.  Personally what I do is wait till about a week before the registration is due for renewal, then pay for the next term that I am comfortable with (one year, two years, or more).  Another hint, I do not think that one needs to pay for a domain name for more than 10 years at a time (VERY MAXIMUM).  I have seen services trying to push the 20+ year domain registration.  Network Solutions offers a 100 year domain registration.  I have three thoughts on that notion.  1.) Will you be around in 100 years?  2.) We do not know how technology will change in that time frame, and have no idea if the domain name process will change in that amount of time.  3.) Even big companies do not purchase that way.  For example, Microsoft.com has an expiration date of May 2014 for their domain name.  They most likely selected 10 years in 2004 when they renewed.