Tips on why you need a domain name.On the World Wide Web your domain name is your own unique identity. No two parties can ever hold the same domain name simultaneously; therefore your Internet identity is totally unique. If you have a business site on the Internet your domain name is your own online brand and in a sense you can use your domain name as your online business card. With your own domain name your web site, and e-mail addresses See Internet address. e-mail address - electronic mail address for example will have that professional look, being unique to your business. Many people often miss the importance of having and then keeping their domain name until they lose it. Once this happens they soon realize that they have lost their whole online identity. How does a domain name work? To understand why you need a domain name you first need to know how a domain name works. A domain name is an addressing construct, used for finding and identifying computers on the internet. Computers use Internet Protocol See Internet and TCP/IP. (networking) Internet Protocol - (IP) The network layer for the TCP/IP protocol suite widely used on Ethernet networks, defined in STD 5, RFC 791. IP is a connectionless, best-effort packet switching protocol. (IP) Addresses, which are a series of numbers used to identify each other on the Internet; however, many people find it hard to remember IP Addresses. Because of this, domain names were developed so that easily remembered names and phrases could be used to identify entities in the Internet instead of using an IP Address. For example, the domain name Amazon.com identifies the company Amazon.com. When a user types the domain name Amazon.com in their browser browser Software that allows a computer user to find and view information on the Internet. The first text-based browser for the World Wide Web became available in 1991; Web use expanded rapidly after the release in 1993 of a browser called Mosaic, which used or sends an email to Amazon.com, the Domain Name System (DNS (Domain Name System) A system for converting host names and domain names into IP addresses on the Internet or on local networks that use the TCP/IP protocol. For example, when a Web site address is given to the DNS either by typing a URL in a browser or behind the ) will translate the domain name into IP numbers. These are then used by the Internet to connect the user to Amazon.com's web presence. What should I use as a domain name? You can use a word or phrase as a domain name. When thinking of a domain name, think of catchy words or phrases that are easy to remember and that will bring more traffic to your site. Try to use a domain name that is relevant to your web site. If your web site is a business site, it is a good idea to use the companies name as the domain name or if your site is a personal site try to think of a domain name that is related to the topic of your web site. Also try to keep your domain name as short as possible, around 5 to 20 characters is fine. The shorter the domain name the easier it will be to remember. One thing to keep in mind is assumed spelling issues; if you think up a 'clever' domain name such as Iluv4u.com--One Love For You (dating service), people may type in oneloveforyou.com believing this is the domain name; or oneluv4u.com, or Ilove4you.com etc. This leads to brand problems. In this case the "oneloveforyou.com" name would be best. Another unfortunate example: Flo Office Supplies--flooffice.com? How do I acquire a domain name? There are two main ways you can get a domain name. You can either register your domain name yourself or you can get your web host of ISP (1) See in-system programmable. (2) (Internet Service Provider) An organization that provides access to the Internet. Connection to the user is provided via dial-up, ISDN, cable, DSL and T1/T3 lines. (Internet Service Provider Internet service provider (ISP) Company that provides Internet connections and services to individuals and organizations. For a monthly fee, ISPs provide computer users with a connection to their site (see data transmission), as well as a log-in name and password. ) to register it for you. To register a domain name yourself you will need to choose a Registrar. A Registrar is an ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, www.icann.org) A non-profit, international association founded in 1998 and incorporated in the U.S. It is the successor to IANA (Internet Assigned Numbers Authority), which manages Internet addresses, domain names and the huge number accredited accredited recognition by an appropriate authority that the performance of a particular institution has satisfied a prestated set of criteria. accredited herds cattle herds which have achieved a low level of reactors to, e.g. domain registration company. There are hundreds of Registrars on the Internet nowadays. The market is becoming increasingly competitive; which means that you can purchase domains names for a low yearly fee. Most web hosting Making a Web site available on the Internet. Many ISPs host a few personal Web pages for an individual at no additional cost above the monthly service fee, but the address is subordinate to the ISP; for example, www.friendlyisp.com/pat_smith. companies will offer domain registration services to their clients. When you register a domain name through a web host they will register your domain name for you through their own approved registrar. An advantage to having your web host register your domain name for you is that, they have probably done this process many times before; they have all the necessary information ready at hand. This process will save you time and, as long as you give the 'correct' domain name desired, there will be no unfamiliar dealings with Registrars. Why should I keep my domain name registered? If you loose your domain name you can loose your whole online identity. Because you can only register a domain name for a year or so, you will need to make sure that you renew it before the expiry date expiry date expire n → date f d'expiration; (on label) → à utiliser avant ... expiry date expire n → Ablauftermin m . Once your domain name expires you will no longer own that domain name. Your Registrar will then own it and be able to sell your domain name to the highest bidder HIGHEST BIDDER, contracts. He who, at an auction, offers the greatest price for the property sold. 2. The highest bidder is entitled to have the article sold at his bid, provided there has been no unfairness on his part. . To make sure you don't loose your domain name you will need to make sure you renew your domain name at least two weeks before it expires. Also make sure that your information is registered properly, especially if you didn't register your domain name yourself. Ensure that your information is displayed as the registrant An individual or organization that signs up (registers) for a training class or service. See domain name registrar. , administrative and billing contacts; most importantly Adv. 1. most importantly - above and beyond all other consideration; "above all, you must be independent" above all, most especially make sure that the email addresses See Internet address. for these contacts are ACTIVE. When you receive any information about your domain name, such as renewals, price changes, etc ... an email will be sent to this email address. If you can't receive any mail from the email addresses listed under the domain names contact then you are at risk of not receiving important notifications about your domain names, which could result in loosing your domain name. People often miss the importance of having their own unique domain name for their web sites. A domain name represents you, your company and your online presence; as does a 'business card'. If you don't have your own domain name you won't be able to promote your own online identity and web site on the World Wide Web. Sarah Cassi is a freelance writer. |
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