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Get a Domain Name for your Website
Your website needs a name and address

What is a domain name?

Practically speaking, your domain name (web address) is the core of your Internet identity, your online brand. Your customers and friends will remember this name and use it to find your website, your products or your services. Since no two parties can ever hold the same domain name (web address) simultaneously, your Internet identity is totally unique.

Selecting a domain name

Selecting a domain name is possibly the first and most important step you should take when beginning to develop a website. The domain name that you choose will be the name that your visitors will use to identify your website in the future. It is like a brand name or nickname that you would like your visitors to remember. There are several things to consider when picking a domain name.

Pick a name that reflects the nature of your website or a name that stands out and captures the eye. (i.e. This second method is called branding) Although there are millions of domain names already in use on the web it is surprising how many unused names are still available.
Keep it as short as possible. Keep the length of your domain name to 13 characters or less. This helps to make it easy to remember and requires less typing for your visitors. Of course this is one of those rules that is meant to be broken. A free flowing domain name that is easy to remember is really your goal.
Be sure that you have full ownership of your domain name. Some hosting services will offer cheap domain name registration but keep the rights to the name themselves. This means that should you wish to change to another hosting service you will have to give up your domain name.

Domain name registration

For a fee, which usually costs about $7.95 - $39.95 US (i.e. depends upon if you buy it in a hosting plan or not), you can register a domain name. This will give you an address on the internet that can be hosted on a web server and accessed by anyone. The registration of domain names is administrated by several companies who are licensed to handle the task.

Registering your domain name

These links will provide you with access to services which can show you how to find a domain name registrar and registering your domain name. They also explain the mechanics of domain names and their construction. Also, most of them can provide hosting for your website.

ICANN

Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers. (The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) oversees the domain registration business. If you ever have trouble with your registrar or if you are looking for an approved domain name registrar this is the place to go.

Network Solutions

Network Solutions, LLC (commonly abbreviated NetSol) —a technology company founded in 1979—was the first and the only registrar of domain names. Network Solutions currently manages more than 7.6 million domain names.

Starting a Website

Understanding the Basics of Owning Your Own Website

Even in this day of technology there are some people who do not understand the fundamentals of owning their own website.

Registering Your Domain Name

Registering a domain name is a quick process that often seems complex. It is far easier than most general web surfers suspect.

How to Choose the Right Domain Name

Your domain name will be your “Internet identity,” so it will be helpful if it closely matches the name of your business, product, or service.

What Do I Need in a Web Hosting Package?

If you are buying web hosting for the first time, you may have some questions about what you need and what you don't.

10 Key Tips on Choosing the Best Hosting Package for You

The overall "tip" here is that you need to get accurate information to make comparisons among hosts.

Don't Get Burned By Web Designers

If you bring up the subject of web design with small business people, it wouldn't take long to find someone who has been burned by a web designer.

Types of Websites

There are several types of websites on the Internet each specializing in a particular service or use.

Website Goals

No matter how great the graphics might be or the navigation scheme or the flowery words, the success of your website will depend on how concisely, clearly and effectively you present your ideas.

Designing Web Pages

Designing good webpages begins with good webpage layouts. Good webpage layout is not rocket science.

Your Website from the Ground Up in 10 Steps

So, you have finally decided to build yourself a website, but really have no idea where to start. The following 10 steps will give you some insight into what you need to address when creating a search friendly website from the ground up.

Promoting Your New Website

If your new website has not been properly optimized for the search engines, then this is a necessary first step you must take.