Web-Objectives - Domain Name Availability

Domain Registration - REGISTRATION COSTS

What is the meaning of Domain Registration?

Domain registration is the process of registering a domain name, which identifies one or more IP addresses with a name that is easier to remember and use in URLs to identify particular Web pages. The person or business that registers domain name is called the domain name registrant..

What is Domain Registration Service?

A domain name registrar is an organization or commercial entity that manages the reservation of internet domain names. A domain name registrar must be accredited by a generic top-level domain (gTLD) registry and/or a country code top-level domain (ccTLD) registry.

How to Register a Domain Name?

Getting a domain name involves registering the name you want with an organisation called ICANN through a domain name registrar. For example, if you choose a name like "example.com", you will have to go to a registrar, pay a registration fee that costs around US$10 to US$35 for that name.

Things to do after buying a Domain Name

Secure matching social media names/URLs

Social media's importance means availability of social media names may affect which domain you'll want to get. Once you've decided on the domain, you'll want to create your social media accounts immediately. Not having the matching social media names can cause lots of confusion and lose valuable connections.

Create an LLC or corporation for your business

If your domain is part of starting a new business, you'll need to start the business too. While you can operate as a sole proprietor or partnership, LLCs and corporations offer more security and other perks. LLCs have been popular for many online-focused companies due to their low cost and liability protection.

Trademark your business name

If you are concerned over protecting your newly-formed brand, register a trademark for it. Trademarks offer protection against damaging infringement by allowing mark holders to take legal action, which can result in winning compensation or infringing properties such as an infringing domain name.

Get web hosting and set your domain up on it

In order to actually get a website up, you'll need web space to put it on. Web hosting comes in a variety of offerings, from low-cost virtual hosting to dedicated servers to the newly popular cloud hosting. Once your hosting is purchased, change your domain's nameservers to your hosting company's specified nameservers.

Create email addresses on your hosting or Google Apps

Owning a domain allows you to have your own email address not tied to an ISP or webmail service. You can set this up at your hosting service or through a service like Google Apps. You can also set up forwarding accounts at your host to forward to your existing email address.

Get business-dedicated phone/fax numbers

Your business is its own entity – even if running your business out of your home, it should have its own phone/fax number. You can forward them to home phone lines or your cell phone. Consider getting a toll-free number as well – you save clients/customers call charges and it helps your business look more serious.

Get a PO Box

For a home business, a PO Box helps you keep business mail separate from personal mail. It keeps your address off of places where you might list a business address, like on business cards and your website.

Design and develop your website

Now it's time to actually build that web presence through designing and developing your website. The website might just be a means for people to find and reach your business. You might offer your products/services on it and accept payments. If using the domain for lead generation or SEO, you might simply have some articles and a lead form form or a link to your site.
If doing it on your own, consider using a platform like WordPress to leverage what other designers and developers have done. Many businesses choose to outsource to professionals who can create a custom higher quality website. It's important either way to put up a nice quality website geared towards your targeted customer/client base.

SEO your website

With your website now live, you can start with SEO measures like such as link building. You can get a steady source of free targeted traffic if done right. Many sites with powerful search engine rankings don't need any other marketing or advertising.

Market/advertise your website

SEO is only one of many ways to get people to your site. Social media is crucial these days as most people spend a lot of time daily on social media sites. You can also market your site through PPC or CPA ads, affiliates, buying leads, generating your own leads and many other online and offline methods.

Order business cards

Even if you're a predominantly online business, get business cards. They are a must if you go to trade shows to network or find clients/customers or simply network through local events or groups. You never know what new opportunities may come through people you meet in person.
Bottom line – you'll have a lot more to do to starting your new venture after getting the domain. Don't miss an important step that might have you backtracking or regretting it later!

Domain Pointing - REGISTRATION COSTS

What is Domain Name Pointing?

Web forwarding, allows you to redirect multiple domain names to a single Web address. If your website is located with a different Web hosting service provider, you can still edit your DNS (i.e., your Domain Name Servers) to connect or point to your domain name.

Domain Parking - REGISTRATION COSTS

What is Domain Parking?

Domain parking refers to the registration of an internet domain name without that domain being associated with any services such as e-mail or a website. This may have been done with a view to reserving the domain name for future development, and to protect against the possibility of cybersquatting.

What does it mean when Domain is Parked?

Park a domain. When you park your domain, visitors to your site will see a temporary Web page when they enter your domain name into their browser. Parking your domain simply means you are putting it on hold until you create your website, find a hosting provider, sell it, etc.

Can you buy a Parked Domain?

There are few things more frustrating than thinking up a great website name and then finding out that it has already been purchased. Thankfully, you can buy a parked domain name. A parked domain name is a URL that has been purchased, but is not currently being used by the person who owns the domain name.

How do I Park my Domain Name

1. Log into cPanel
2. In the Domains section, click the Parked Domains icon
3. Under Create a New Parked Domain, enter the domain name you would like to park on top of your primary domain
4. Click Add Domain

Domain Email - REGISTRATION COSTS

What is the domain of an email?

The part before the @ symbol (local-part) identifies the name of a mailbox. This is often the username of the recipient, e.g., jsmith. The part after the @ symbol (domain) is a domain name that represents the administrative realm for the mail box, e.g., a company's domain name, example.com.