By Pinyo Bhulipongsanon
Just like any business, your identity is very important. On theWorld Wide Web, your domain name is your identity. Of course,you can opt for a subdomain name that comes with many free webhosting like http://yourdomain.netfirms.com. But if youare serious about being successful on the Internet, you have toget your own domain name, likehttp://www.yourdomain.com.
Top 10 reasons to have your own domain name
Please notethat all domain names listed in italic are ficticious:
- It is cheap and easy to get your own domain name (lessthan $15/year in most cases)
- You own the name (as longas you pay the annual fee)
- You are not dependent on oneweb hosting company to let you use a subdomain, or worse, asubdirectory
- Your web site promotion effort does not goto waste if you change your web hosting company (because thedomain name remains the same regardless of what host youuse)
- The domain name can be optimized to your business,like www.best-used-cars.com
- Your web site ismore professional
- The domain name is easier toremember. For instance, www.best-used-cars.com ratherthanwww.geocities.com/web/public/business/auto/best-used-cars/
- It is much easier to sell a web site with its owndomain name
- A good domain name can be an asset
- It is cheap and easy to get your own domain name (this oneis worth repeating)
How to register for a domain name
Please note that alldomain names listed in italic are ficticious:
- Think of appropriate name for that suit the theme ofyour web site. For instance, an online dating service may finddomain name like www.loveconnection.com, more desirablethan say www.best-used-cars.com
- Search fordomain name availability. Every domain name registrar willprovide you with a search tool; although some search tools arebetter than other. You will have to do a lot of searches becausea lot of domain name that you wish to have is probably alreadyowned by someone else (very common).
- As you come acrossavailable domain names that you like, jot them down. Keepsearching until you have about 3-5 different domain names tochoose from.
- Choose a domain name and register it at adomain name ICANN Accredited registrar.
Other factors to consider
- Initially, you willwant the .com version of your domain name. If yourinternet business takes off, you may want to considerregistering other first-level domains (i.e., .net) of yourdomain name and perhaps even similar domain names to preventmistaken identity
- Use domain name registrar that willregister the domain under your name under all contactsinformation (perhaps with the exception of technical contact).It should be clear that you own the domain name.
- Usedomain name registrar that provide good online accountsupport.
- Use automatic domain name renewal if you areplanning to own the domain name long-term
Article Source: www.ArticlesBase.com