 Domain Names | | | For Starters | | | Contact Us | |
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|  | What is a Domain Name? |
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Quite simply, a domain name is a friendly way to identify websites on the Internet.
Without domain names, we would have to refer to a website using its IP address, which is a series of four numbers separated by dots (e.g. 66.94.234.13). This obviously isn't an easy way to remember the address of a site, nor is it very descriptive of the site. Also, if you're running a website and you switch to a different hosting provider, your IP address is likely to change. Refering to the site by its domain name allows people to continue finding your site, regardless of any change to your IP address.
When you type a domain name into your browser, a search is performed and that domain name is translated into its corresponding IP address. Then, the IP address is used to fetch the requested web page. The whole process takes place behind the scenes, transparent to the user, and allows the use of friendly names for websites.
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| Who Needs a Domain Name? |
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Obviously, if you want to run a website, you need one or more domain names for it. You want people to find your site and a good domain name makes it much easier for them to do so.
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| How Much do Domain Names Cost? |
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There are many different companies, called registrars, with which you can register domain names. The prices range anywhere from $5 to $35 per year. Usually, the cheaper ones require you to also purchase a hosting account, which adds to the cost.
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| How do I Get a Domain Name? |
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First, you need to look up your domain name to see if is already reserved by another party. A great site that lets you do this is www.betterwhois.com.
If the domain name you want is available, you can register it with a number of different companies, including the following:
| www.godaddy.com | This is a great company that offers a lot of services in addition to domain name registration. | | www.snapnames.com | This company offers a domain "back-order" service where you can request to purchase domain names that are already reserved. You get put onto a waiting list for when the domain becomes available, and at that point, an auction process determines who becomes the next owner of the domain. | | www.bulkregister.com | This is usually the company of choice for people who register a large number of domain names. It offers built-in DNS services, domain portfolio management tools, and great customer service. Additionally, the price per domain that you pay decreases as you purchase a larger number of domains, making it a great option for domain resellers. |
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| How do I Use a Domain Name? |
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After you register a domain name, you have to complete one more step before your domain can be used for your website.
Setting up DNS means pointing your domain name to an IP address so that people can actually reach your site when they type in the domain name. The company you register your domain with may have DNS services included with your subscription, or they may be able to point you in the right direction.
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