Choosing A Domain Name Guide

What Is A Domain Name?

Your domain name is the the address of your website and unique on the Internet. It is Internet equivalent of your company name and address.

Understanding Domain Names

Before we look at domain names just take a while to think of your house address. If we examine a standard house address we see it is divided into: house name/No, street address, town or city, county, country i.e. 1231, King street, Twickenham, Middlesex, UK.  The address has a structure which is hierarchical starting at the top with the country.

A domain name is used to identify a Website in the same way as your house address identifies your house. If we examine a fully qualified domain name (FQDN) i.e. www.juice.com in more detail then

www = name of server (physical machine)

juice.com = domain name (note: doesn't include the server name)

juice =  sub domain of com

com= Top level domain name

The domain name structure is a hierarchical structure just like the house address The top of the structure however is not the Country name but a dot (.). Underneath the dot are what are known as the top level domains (TLDs) which are strictly controlled (com, net, UK) Underneath the top level domains are second level domains like IBM, Microsoft and Juice in our example. This is typically the domain name of an organisation and control over this name is given to that organisation, which can then divide it into third level domains etc as it wishes. At any level a domain can contain sub domains or computer names (i.e. www). The structure is shown in figure 2.

Figure 1 Domain Name system Hierarchy

As another example for those familiar with the standard file system. A domain is equivalent to a folder and a computer name equivalent to a file and a folder can contain either a file or a folder. To completely define the location of a file you have to specify all of the folders and you write it like this c:\examples\index.htm. A FQDN is similar except we write it from bottom to top www.juice.com.

A domain name can be considered to be a company or organisational name. The domain name doesn't include the server name .If we compare this with our house address then the domain name is equivalent to specifying an address as far as the street name but doesn't include the house number/name. If we include the house number/name (server name) then this is called the fully qualified domain name (FQDN).

When applying for a name we apply only for the domain name (street name) and we can call our servers anything we want. It is like being a property developer who builds a housing estate. He applies for street names to the local authority and he names or numbers them as he wants.

If this is the case then why are all our Web servers named www ? It is a convention on the internet so as to make it easier to remember the Web addresses -but they don't have to be. You may find that some private sites deliberately choose another name for the server so as to discourage uninvited visitors.

Do You Need a Domain Name of Your Own?

 If you are a company or if you intend doing business on the Internet, then, almost certainly yes, if you are looking to set up your own personal Web page or the Web page for your local sports club then probably not.

If you don't have your own domain name then how to you have your own Website? The answer is -You share a name with someone else - normally your ISP. Therefore your Web address will look like this www.isp.com/yourweb or this  www.isp.com/yourweb. In either case the domain name of the ISP is part of the address.

Choosing a Domain Name

If you have decided that you need to have your own domain name then the next step is to choose the domain name. There you need to make 2 to 3 main choices:

1. Top level domain name extension .e.g. .com or .net or .uk etc.
2. Second level domain name. Usually a company name but could be .co .biz  if choice 1 was a country e.g. .uk
3. Third level domain if choice 1 was a country e.g. .uk.

Top Level Domain (TLD) Extensions

 The top level domains (TLDs) are divided into two groups non geographic ( .com, .edu, .gov, .int, .mil, .net, and .org ) and Geographic using a country code ( .uk, .de, .ca ).

The non-geographic TLDS ( .com, .edu, .gov, .int, .mil, .net, and .org ) were the original seven names assigned before the Internet become popular. Domain name extensions in three of these (.com, .net, and .org) could be registered without restriction; the other four have limited purposes and were restricted. The result is that the three domain name extension .com, .net, .org are now the most commonly used on the Internet.

Originally the Internet was a totally USA affair and hence there was no need for any geographic names. This all changed in the 1990s as the Internet spread to The rest of the world and the Geographic TLD extensions were introduced based on existing International country code standards e.g. .uk for United Kingdom and .de for Germany (Deutschland) etc.

Because of increased demand for names, especially non geographic, seven new non geographic TLDS were decided on and introduced in 2001 and 2002. They are ( .biz, .info, .name, and .pro, .aero, .coop, and .museum) . A complete list of non geographic TLDS is given in Table 1 along with there intended use.

Some of the new TLDs (.biz, .info, .name, and .pro, .aero, .coop, and .museum) may not be currently live but you can sometimes pre-register to reserve your domain name. The following lists the most popular TLDs which are all live.

• .com
• .net
• .org
• .name
• .biz
• .info

Choosing the Top Level Domain (TLD) Extensions

 If you do not need to attract customers from outside your own country or you are offering something country specific then a geographic one is most the obvious choice. For example a Website specialising in Fruit Juice for the UK market would use an .uk TLD. If however your Website were to offer Fruit Juice in many countries then you would choose a non-geographic.

For businesses the most obvious choice and preferred is .com . For example, assume you wanted to use JUICE as part of your domain name then you would try to register juice.com but it was already taken then juice.biz would be a logical alternative.

However ,before using an alternative to .com most businesses look for alternative names like fruit-juice.com and only use the .biz,.net or .org alternative TLDs when there are no other logical alternatives.

Country domain Names (.uk, .de etc)

If you are specifically focused on a particular country then always use a country TLD. Almost all search engines currently give a weighting to local content.

This means that a search engine would give .uk websites preference for a search on 'website services' from a browser in the UK. Therefore if you are servicing/selling predominately to the uk market then your TLD should indicate that.

Second or Third Level Names

General guidelines when choosing a name

 Remember, your Internet domain name will personify your organization's presence on the Internet so choose it with care. A domain name is as important to your company's business strategy on the Internet as your company's name; motto and logo are to traditional marketing, therefore:

• Make it relevant to your company, product, or project so it's easier to remember.
• Keep your name short and simple if possible-around 5 characters (see keywords).
• Include keywords in the name- A keyword is a word that will be used by people searching the net. If your Website is about fruit juices and you can't keep it short as it has already been taken the consider using it in a combination separated by hyphens e.g. fruit-juices.com.
• Remember the Internet is global in nature, try to choose a name that has positive connotations in all languages.
• Consider registering a generic name, if one that makes sense for your organization is still available. Like fruitjuice.com.
• Avoid tying your name to a calendar year, unless its for a product launch.
• Avoid Trademarked Names. Like coca-cola 

For a fruit juice Website the following names would be suitable:

• www.JUICE.com
• www.JUICE.biz
• www.JUICE.co.uk
• www.fruit-juices.com

Domain Names with Dashes and Underscores

Some search engines will give you a higher ranking if you include your keywords in the Website domain name. So a website like this one on building a website would include the keywords building or build, website etc in the domain name. Following this logic here are some alternative domain names for this site.

1. build-your-website
2. build_your_website
3. buildyourwebsite

I choose  number 1- build-your-website because all search engines treat the dashes as spaces and see the name as composing of three distinct words- build , your and Website .

Number 2 would not be seen by all search engines as three distinct words but would appear to some as one word as would number 3.

Is One Domain Name Enough?

 Sometimes, it is a good idea to register several similar domain names. If you have "JUICE.com", register "JUICE.net", JUICE.co.uk so no one else takes it and to catch customers who try to guess a domain name. Some people even register common misspellings of their name e.g. JIUCE.com. Remember you don't need a separate Website for each domain name. Several domains can point to the same Website.

Own your own Domain

 Make sure that the Web host will not hold you hostage to their service by exercising administrative control over your domain name. Your Domain name provider should only be listed as a technical contact.

Checking if the Domain Name is Available

The next step after choosing a domain name is to register the domain. However before you can register it you also need to check that it is still available. The organisation that you will be registering the domain name ( domain name registrar) with will have a facility where you can check the domain name before registering. Figure 2 below shows the result of a domain name check.

Figure 2: checking to see if Domain Name is available

Choosing Your Domain Name

After you have brainstormed your site concept and are happy that your concept is worthwhile its time to choose and register your domain name. This is very important juncture as you are at this stage committing yourself to this site concept.

Domain Name Names

 The site build-it manual recommends incorporating one of your site keywords in the domain name itself. There is however a growing consensus that most search engines ignore don't give any extra weight to this.

If possible I would always incorporate the keyword in the domain name as it tells the searcher that the site is about what they are searching for regardless of whether or not the search engines give it any extra weighting.

Country domain Names (.uk, .de etc)

If you are specifically focused on a particular country then always use a country TLD. Almost all search engines currently give a weighting to local content.

This means that a search engine would give .uk websites preference for a search on 'website services' from a browser in the UK. Therefore if you are servicing/selling predominately to the uk market then your TLD should indicate that.

General guidelines when choosing a name

 Remember, your Internet domain name will personify your organization's presence on the Internet so choose it with care. A domain name is as important to your company's business strategy on the Internet as your company's name; motto and logo are to traditional marketing, therefore:

• Make it relevant to your company, product, or project so it's easier to remember.
• Keep your name short and simple if possible-around 5 characters (see keywords).
• Include keywords in the name- A keyword is a word that will be used by people searching the net. If your Website is about fruit juices and you can't keep it short as it has already been taken the consider using it in a combination separated by hyphens e.g. fruit-juices.com.
• Remember the Internet is global in nature, try to choose a name that has positive connotations in all languages.
• Consider registering a generic name, if one that makes sense for your organization is still available. Like fruitjuice.com.
• Avoid tying your name to a calendar year, unless its for a product launch.
• Avoid Trademarked Names. Like coca-cola 

For a fruit juice Website the following names would be suitable:

• www.JUICE.com
• www.JUICE.biz
• www.JUICE.co.uk
• www.fruit-juices.com

Domain Names with Dashes and or Underscores

 So a website like this one on building a website would include the keywords building or build, website etc in the domain name. Following this logic here are some alternative domain names for this site.

1. build-your-website
2. build_your_website
3. buildyourwebsite

I choose  number 1- build-your-website because all search engines treat the dashes as spaces and see the name as composing of three distinct words- build , your and Website .

Number 2 would not be seen by all search engines as three distinct words but would appear to some as one word as would number 3.

Fore more details on domain names and a discussion on Top level domain names see the domain names article.

Changing Domain Names

Changing Domains is not to be recommended especially for an established site. The reason is that it is not strictly speaking totally under your control. An established site will have many inbound links from other websites and also stored in the favourites of web browsers. Therefore all of this people and webmasters need to change their links.

Checking if the Domain Name is Available

The next step after choosing a domain name is to register the domain. However before you can register it you also need to check that it is still available.

All domain name registrars/hosting providers have a domain name search facility. The ones I use are:

www.1&1.com

www.1and1.co.uk

Registering A Domain Name

Finding a Domain Name Registrar

There are many companies offering to register Domain names each offering different rates and services. Before registering with any particular company it would be a good idea to buy an Internet magazine and look in the Ads section to get and idea of the prices etc. You can also do a quick search on the internet for domain names register and you will find plenty. You should find that not only do the prices differ but also the services offered along with the Domain Name registration also differ.

Therefore, before rushing out and buying a domain name from the cheapest provider, decide exactly what you want in addition to the Domain name. There are many things that need to be considered before choosing a hosting provider for your Website. The following are some of the basic things you need to consider even for a home Website: 

• WebSite hosting
• Website Forwarding-also called Domain forwarding and website aliasing
• Email Forwarding
• Email accounts

Remember that a Domain name is the name of the Website; it is not the physical site. The physical site is the location of the files that make up the site. We don't need a physical site to choose and register a Domain name, in fact thousands of domain names have been registered as a way of reserving them for future use and they will never be used. Registering the name reserves the name for later use.

Registrars and Hosting Providers

You don't need to host your website with the same organisation that you registered your domain name with but I would recommend that you do so. If you don't than you have a to manage the website and the domain name through two different management interfaces and it is generally much more complex. Therefore your hosting provider choice is usually is what determines your domain registrar

How to Register a Domain Name

• Choose Domain Name (see above).
• Check if Domain Name is free (see above).
• If free proceed to registration
• If you have an existing account with the registrar then sign in
• If you are a new customer enter your personal details i.e. name, address etc.
• Choose a username and password so you can sign in latter to manage your account.
• Enter credit card details.
•  Review order and agree registration policy of the registrar.
• Receive confirmation screen and follow up via email.

   The following show the process of registering a domain name The screens that you will see when doing this may not be the same but the process will be very similar. In this example only the name was registered. 

  If you are an existing customer there is no need to register and you use your user name and password to logon and order the new domain name. Otherwise you must register by providing your name, address and credit card details.

You may be asked to choose a user name and password at any stage between or you may be provided with one by the registrar. You are usually notified by email of the name and password. You will use this to logon and manage your domain name later on. Make sure you keep a copy of any emails.

Managing Your Domain Name

            If you now connect to your Website you will probably see something similar to that displayed in figure 1 below. This is what is known as domain parking. Because you haven't told your registrar what to do with you domain name he has given you a temporary Website with a default Under Construction notice. Most Domain Name registrars provide this facility as part of the registration fee. If they didn't then when you attempted to connect to the Website you would get a browser error message saying domain not found which tends to imply that it doesn't exist when you know that it does.

            We are now in position to manage the domain .Most Domain Name registrars will provide a facility that allows you to do this via the Web called a control panel. Connect to the administration site with your user name (user ID) and password and you can know manage your domain. Some of the things that you can usually do from here are:

• Website forwarding (to an existing site)
• Email forwarding

            Remember we still don't have a Website we have just reserved our domain name.

Domain Name Registrars and Domain Name Extension

Your choice of domain name registrar will be affected by your choice of TLD extension. Almost all domain name registrars can register .com extensions but not all can register .name or .uk extensions. My recommendations for domain registrars and hosting providers are:

UK
www.1and1.co.uk

USA and Canada
1&1.com

Domain Name Generator

• http://www.webmaster-toolkit.com/domain-name-generator.shtml
• http://www.nameboy.com/
• http://www.domain-generator.net/