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Designing a Website – How to Register a Domain Name

Ready to start your first website? If you’ve done a little research and have been checking around about how to build a website online then you probably know that you need to register a domain name. If you have not done this research, I highly recommend that you do.

Then comes the next question: How can I register a domain name?

Before you head out to register your new name it’s important you understand how the process of domains and hosting works.

What Is a Domain Name?

It is an address that points to a place on the internet called a ‘website’. Every website has it’s own, completely unique address. In order to have your own presence on the internet that is uniquely your own you must have a domain name. The most common format is the.com but there are many other common names that end in .org, .net, .ca and more.

Why Do I Need a Domain Name?

You can’t have your website online without one. If you want to have a website that is yours alone and not hosting on someone else’s property like the free website builder then you need one. Once you have a domain, connecting to a hosting account and publishing your website to the internet is a synch.

How Do I Choose a Domain Name?

Before you zip off to buy your first domain name I would recommend you do your research. Here are some quick tips for buying:

– Make sure it’s easy to say out loud.
– Make sure it’s easy to type in and remember.
– Don’t do any ‘odd’ spellings or add weird numbers.
– Buy a .com.
– Use a keyword tool such as Wordtracker or Google Analytics Keyword Tool for ideas.
– Use an online thesaurus to get additional word ideas.

Where Can I Register My Domain Name?

Ok so now that you know what a domain name is, why you need one and how to choose one let’s get into where you can register one.

You can’t buy one just anywhere. You must buy one from a domain name registrar that is appointed by the International Corporation For Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). There are many registrar companies out there. Some are credible while others use less than ethical means by which to sign up new customers. I would recommend you do your homework and even ask around for referrals to find out a good place to register your domain.

Some hosting companies will also register names for you, allowing you to save time and effort finding two companies to trust with your business. Some companies who host your domain will offer you a free domain registration when you sign up with them.

When choosing a registrar, here’s what you’ll want to look for:
– Established business – Find out how many years they’ve been around.
– Competitive pricing – A domain name costs about $10-$15 per year.
– Customer support – Make sure it’s excellent and responsive.
– Easy to use control panel – Can you go in and make changes to the domain quickly and easily?

Choosing a webhost may take a little time and research, but you’ll be glad you invested in finding one that will keep your site up and running.

If these directions are good but you’re thinking you would like someone to show you exactly what you need to do then I can help you there, too. If it’s more personal help you need then sign up for my intensive WordPress website course where you get everything and the kitchen sink when it comes to lessons, support and ongoing help. My course comes with lifetime retakes so you get access to frequent Q&A webinars All Year Long!

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