choosing a domain name
what is a domain name?
Put simply, your domain name is your address on the the web and it's how people find you. You're probably far more familiar with domain names than you realize!
Nearly everyone has visited www.google.com, which itself is a domain name.
Generally speaking, you will want your domain name to reflect the name of your business (ex: mycompany.com). This can be trickier than it sounds. If you are already an established business and haven't laid claim to a domain name, you may find the name you had in mind belongs to somebody else.
If you are just starting out and haven't named your business yet, you might want to start by finding out if the names you have in mind are available as domain names. If they are, you'll want to reserve them right away.
how do i find out if the name i have in mind is available?
The first step is to visit one of the many domain registrars out there. Most registrars will have a spot on their home page (sometimes called a 'domain search', or 'who is'), where you can enter the domain name you wish to reserve and see if it's available. If it is available, you're good to go and you should reserve it immediately.
If the name is not available, you still have some options:
- consider using a different extension such as .net, .ca, .biz, .org, among others. Your ability to use some extensions may be limited by the type of business you are operating. For example, to use a .ca extension, you must operate in Canada.
- consider slightly altering your name to make it unique but still recognizable by your clients.
- you can contact the owner of the domain you wish to use to see if they would be willing to sell it to you. This can be an expensive solution but it's always worth a try.
registering a domain
Once you have found a domain name that's available, you need to register it. There are literally hundreds of domain registrars out there and it can be confusing to choose. Some things to keep in mind are:
- domains cannot be bought permanently. You are essentially leasing the name and the right to use and you will have to pay a fee to renew it on a regular basis.
- some domain registrars may offer domain names at extremely low rates. Make sure you read the fine print. You may be tying yourself into a webhosting contract or you may be unble move your domain to a different host. Sometimes it is worth it to pay a little extra.
- if all you want to do right now is reserve your name, make sure that is all you are paying for. Be careful not to sign up for a webhosting plan at the same time.
- it is always preferable to register your domain name yourself as opposed to having a third party do it for you. If you do have somebody else register it for you, at the very least make sure it is done in your name. This way you will ensure you own the rights to the name and you will have the ability to administer it as needed. This is a very important, but often overlooked step
If you would like suggestions for finding a domain registrar, please don't hesitate to contact us for some recommendations. We can also help you with the whole process if you prefer.