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The domain name is also called the URL and is the "address" of a
website. As an example, this site's domain name would be
"SiteToolCenter.com".
If you're building a person website for yourself and your family
it's not really necessary to purchase your own domain name. However
if you're aim is to build a website for your business or a website
that receives a significant number of visitors it is recommended that
you buy your own domain name. This will make your domain name easier to
remember, allow placement of keywords into the domain name, and enables
the ability to build a "brand" website (e.g. eBay.com).
Domain names can be purchased very easily online and vary in price.
Some good domain name registrars are GoDaddy.com and NameCheap.com. It
should be noted that when you purchase a domain name, it is only for a
limited time. Some domain name registrars will allow you to purchase a
domain name for up to 10 years in advance and will give discount prices
if you do so. After your domain name expires you will need to make additional
payments to keep the domain name or it will go on sale again to the
general pubic.
Search online for the term "domain name registration" or some derivative
of that search phrase to find other companies that’ll register the domain name
for you.
Types of Domain Names
If you're a regular Internet user you would have noticed that there are
many different endings for domain names. Some examples being:
SiteToolCenter.com
IGDb.co.uk
WikiEd.Info
What Do the Endings Mean?
The original idea behind these endings was to categorise websites.
".com" would be used for companies, ".org" for organisations, and so on.
All in all this attempt to categorise websites has failed - although
some, such as ".gov" and ".edu" still exist and cannot be purchased
by the general public.
When it comes to choosing your own domain name you should try and
get a domain name ending with ".com" as this is the first one people
will try if they are unsure. If it's not possible then it doesn't
matter too much so don't worry about it.
Finding a Domain Name
If you are a beginner then you might consider buying the domain
name from your host. It is usually more expensive but they will setup
everything for you including nameserver settings and server settings.
However if you want to do it yourself, read on.
If you go to any domain name registrars site (such as GoDaddy.com
and NameCheap.com as mentioned above) they will have the ability to
search for domain names. If the domain name is taken they will often
provide altername domain names that they believe is similar to the
one you searched for.
You'll quickly notice that most domain names are already taken.
Other places you could go to buy domain names are places such as
forums (please join our forum too),
sites that specialise in trading domain names etc... A quick search on
Google for terms such as "Buy domain names" or "Expiring domain names"
etc... will get you what you're looking for.
DNS - Domain Name System and Nameservers
After you buy your domain name you can setup the nameservers. With
most domain name registrars you will need to provide the minimum of
2 nameservers. Information about your nameservers can be found on
your hosts webpage. It usually comes in a format such as "ns1.xxxxxx.com"
or something similar.
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