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Selecting a proper domain name is one of the first important steps when starting an online business. In the online community, your domain name actually represents the name and reputation of your business, so choosing a domain name for your website is just as important as choosing your business name.
The first step to selecting a domain name is to brainstorm a list of possible domain names for your business. Ideally, your domain name should contain your business name, if possible. Customers who remember your business name can then return to your website easily by entering the URL of your website on their browser.
If it’s not possible to register a domain name that contains your business name (because it has already been registered), then you need to include your business keywords in the domain name. These keywords should describe what your business does, or what products your business sells.
For example, if you plan to sell rare gemstones, you can register domain names like ‘uniquegemstones.com’ or ‘raregemsonline.com’. These domain names contain the word ‘gem’, which describes your business.
Another reason why you must include your business keywords in your domain name is that search engines will rank your website higher if your domain name contains the keywords you want to optimize your site for. You’ll benefit from a higher stream of targeted visitors from Google, Yahoo or MSN when visitors search for your keywords.
For instance, a website with the domain name ‘webtuitionservices.com’ is likely to rank higher than ‘tuition4you.com’, for the keywords ‘tuition services’, all else being equal.
Additionally, keep your domain name short and catchy. If your business name is too long and complicated, first-time visitors to your site may have a hard time remembering your URL, and cannot return to your website for future purchases.
When choosing a domain name, you should always register a ‘.com’ URL. The ‘Dot-Com’ domain name has become the industry standard, and everyone remembers ‘.com’ first before ‘.net’. If you use a ‘.net’ or ‘.org’, you risk losing potential customers, simply because they assume that your business uses ‘.com’.
Registering The Domain Name
After you’ve brainstormed a list of possible domain names, you need to check their availability before actually registering them.
An example of where you can determine the availability of a domain name is Register.com, Inc. (http://www.register.com)
You can then proceed to register the domain name you’ve chosen. Popular domain name registration services like http://www.register.com or http://www.godaddy.com easily come to mind. The costs of registering each domain name can range between a few dollars to less than $20 a year.
Take note that domain name registration and web hosting are two separate services. The domain name registration service only registers your domain name – nothing else.
A web hosting service, on the other hand, allows you to upload your website onto a server so that visitors can view it via HTTP on the internet. The web hosting service comes together with Domain Name Service (DNS), which is the tool that directs visitors to your website when they enter the domain name on their web browser.
Also note that some web hosting services also offer free domain name registration as part of their web hosting package. One such example is PowWeb, Inc. ([http://www.powweb.com]). Before you register your domain name at http://www.register.com or http://www.godaddy.com, you should decide on your web host first and find out if they offer free domain name registration. This can probably save you a couple of extra dollars for domain name registration each year.
In conclusion, you need to select a domain name that is short and memorable, so that your visitors can easily return to your website another time. Your domain name should also contain either your business name, or the major keywords of your website, to rank higher on the search engines.
Ray Yee is the founder of Dropshipperscentral, a website that provides a wealth of informative articles, guides and resources on everything you'll need to know about setting up and marketing a Drop Ship Business. Click here for the Drop Ship Directory [http://www.dropshipperscentral.com] from [http://www.dropshipperscentral.com].
One of the biggest challenges to a webmaster is how to generate traffic. More traffic to your website equates to more sales. So how does one generate extra traffic to their website? Search engine optimization, email campaigns, pay-per-clicks, banner advertising, are among some of the tactics that are popular. Another method of generating traffic is through expired domain names.
Step 1: Find a domain pending expiration
Every day thousands of domain names are released. Many of these expired domain names were active websites that have already been promoted by the previous owner. A few of the domains that are released daily are valuable because of their age and the number of links that they already have at various locations over the Internet. How does one find these domains? There are many means at which you can research these domains. There are newsletters to which you can subscribe and request to receive a daily email with up-coming expired domains. Go to google and enter "search for expiring domains". There are hundreds of thousands of locations at which you can find domains pending deletion. One site we often use is Expired Domains. This site is focused on just one thing: helping people find the perfect domain name for their website. Another example of a newsletter for web marketers is NitroMarketing.com- a newsletter specifically aimed at helping web marketers. Once you find a domain that you want, at google enter links:domain.com (replace "domain.com" with the domain you are researching) - this will show you how many links this domain already has. This will tell you the value of the domain. You want to look for a domain with a respectable link popularity of around 500 to 1,000.
Everyday, hundreds of developed and thriving websites expire Yet, these sites still receive endless traffic from the search engines and links to them Identify these hot sites, make use of their expired traffic, and make $$$
Step 2: Bid on the domain: If you have decided that you want a domain that is pending deletion, you can bid on it at one of the many sites that have auctions or bidding forums. Bidding and winning these domains is not something that you can leisurely embark upon. It takes time and persistence. However, if you spend a little bit of time every day, you will get great domains at a low price. Some auction houses that we recommend are namewinner.com or enom.com. Most require no deposit to begin bidding, but they will ask that you confirm your identity via telephone or electronic means. This is in an effort to reduce fraud and keep the prices lower for legitimate bidders. After you have established an account, and you have found a domain that you want to try for, open a bid on that domain. Start low, but keep a watchful eye on the date and time that the bidding stops. Twenty minutes before the bidding is scheduled to be closed on that domain, re-visit their site and watch the top bid. Refresh your screen every minute to see the current highest bid. If the price gets too high for your budget, stop. But if you can afford the current high-bid, you might want to keep bidding in order to win that domain. If the bidding stops and you are the current high-bid, then you have won that domain.
Step 3: Receive the traffic: Now what? You have a great domain... you can park that domain so that it redirects visitors to your main website. With domain parking, visitors will automatically be re-directed to your main website. Some web hosting companies charge a small fee for domain parking. WebsiteSource.com offers free unlimited domain parking to its web hosting customers. If you maintain the domain's registration every year, you could have targeted visitors to your website for less than $15 bucks a year. Cheap targeted traffic really does exist!
Results: Increase your company's unique brand recognition with more exposure. Increase your traffic = increase sales.
About the author: S. Rosendahl is a Technical Executive Writer for Website Source, Inc. http://www.websitesource.com. Her established writing skills coupled with experience in the website hosting industry have provided internet professionals with marketing, product and service ideas for many years.
Selecting your domain name
Selecting a domain name can be a very frustrating process as a lot of domains have been sold already. With 30.000+ domain names being sold each day it can be a challenge to find the appropriate domain name for your company. So what do you do? Your business name might not be available or be too long. If you did think about doing business on the Web when you started, your name might not be appropriate for the web. What if your domain name is available for the country code extension but not .COM? Should you buy the .CA anyway? How long is too long?
Create a short list of domain names and variances. Talk with people that you trust and opinion you value or ask your regular customers. However, don't wait too long about as 30.000 Domain Names are being sold a day now. Below you will find a few pointers or things you should have in mind when selecting your Domain Name.
Using your business name
Using your business name as your domain name could be a great idea. However if your business name is really long or very complicated you might want to consider searching for an abbreviation or an alternative.
Recognizable
You want it to reflect what you do ... that makes it easier for people to remember your address and will increase the chance of people guessing your web address right without having to search for it.
Uniqueness
Choosing a Domain name that is unique can avoid that you loose business to your competitors as it cannot be confused with other domain names. You still have to consider if the Domain name is easy to type and not too complicated. Most unique Domain Names for .COM are gone and a lot have been bought to re-sell a lot more expensive. If you have a look on eBay you will see a lot of Domain names for sale.
A person had already registered the Domain name for Pope Benedict XVI before they announced the new Pontiffs name and had put it for sale on eBay immediately after the announcement. He sold it for $200.000+. Think carefully about buying your domain name from another person. First of all you would have to pay a lot more than registering a new name. Second, you might not have full ownership of it. Maybe find alternatives as the one for sale by a person might never be sold and then end up being available through a Domain Registrar a couple of years down the road.
Easy to type
You should select a domain name that is easy to type so avoid complicated domain names. You would like people to be able to enter your Web Address very easily. Spelling errors might make them end up at the wrong site. Or if your domain name contains a hyphen "-" and your competitors domain name has none. They might end up there instead. One example could be (note that only one is a real site):
http://www.pc-world.com
http://www.pcworld.com
These could be very different web sites but the name is very easy to mistake.
Where in the World are your customers?
Should you choose a Country Code Domain like .CA or just buy a .COM? If you are a Real Estate agent and you only sell houses in your town should you then only buy your Country Code domain? Not necessarily. What about the potential clients that are trying to relocate? Are you a local landscaper? Then a Country Code domain might be the best solution. As the domains are selling very quickly now for the .COM then people start to use the Country Code domains more. Clients and potential customers are getting more computer/internet savvy and as businesses are starting to use the Country Code domains more, they will catch on to that quickly.
Multiple Domain names
If you are a business in Canada that expect to have clients all over the world you might want to consider selecting your domain with both .CA and .COM extension. How this would work is that your main web site could be your .COM address but if people type in your .CA address they are automatically forwarded to your .COM address. You have to ask for your .CA to be forwarded to the .COM address. It's that simple and with the low prices on domain names not a big expense.
Another advantage is that if you have a unique domain name you can avoid someone else reaping the benefits of your advertising. People still tries to enter Web Address with a .COM first so if you had bought the .CA address and someone buys the exact name using .COM they would open your competitors web site first.
Author Anette Petersen is Web Consultant with Create IT Simple a Web Design, Hosting and Domain Company based in Halifax, Canada. They offer Website Templates and Unique Webdesign. Their Web Site is http://www.createitsimple.com
For more information, email her apetersen@createitsimple.com
When you are thinking of buying a domain name for your business, have you taken an existing domain name into account? As you know domains come and go these days and sometimes it can be quite difficult to find a completely new one of your desire. Whether buying an existing domain name a good choice comparing with registering a brand new domain? Here I will bring you the disadvantages and advantages of purchasing an existing domain name and hopefully help you make a right decision.
Advantages I start from the advantages to searching for and purchasing an existing domain name. There are many reasons why an existing domain is welcomed for webmasters.
Firstly, you may expect a large amount of traffic that has previously flowed to that particular website. You can imagine that there are surely some customers of the older owner may not know that the domain name didn't get renewed, so that they are of highly likely to visit that domain name after you buy the domain. In other ways, you can enjoy these traffic due to the hard effort of the previously owner. This could be an excellent beginning for your website to against totally no visitor.
Secondly, you may also benefits from the old owner who definitely pay their efforts in targeting keywords to ensure the domain name get listed higher at the search engine results page. In such cases, you domain name is search engine friendly and it will takes you less time and energy for SEO purpose.
Thirdly, the possibility of buying finding a short, catchy domain with the targeted keywords contained will be increased. As we all known, it is not an easy job to find a desired domain that is still available especially if your niche is quite competitive. Also due to the fact there are some domains owners buy these perfect domains simply as an investment, then short domain names are more likely to already be registered. Choosing the right domain name for your internet business enterprise becomes more challenging if you never take the existing domain names into account. Because it is not an easy job to find a good domain name that is still available you may be force to buy an existing domain name from the market.
An Disadvantage However, if you have settled your mind for buying an existing domain, you should be aware of the potential pitfall. The major disadvantage of buying an existing domain name is that it may have been punished by the search engines for the inappropriate SEO tactics (or black hat techniques). If you are unfortunately enough and purchase domain of this kind, I would empathize. Under such circumstance, it is quite hard for your website to be get indexed again, which means even if you are going to invest a lot of money on promotion and SEO, you will receive no outcome absolutely.
To help you purchase a right existing domain to boost your business, below I have addressed some Dos & Don'ts. Hopefully, they will guide you to the right direction.
Dos:
Don'ts:
If you would like to get a brand new domain name, you can either:
1) get one from web hosting companies since many of them will offer you with free domains when you register their hosting solutions.
2) get one from a separate domain name registering company.
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What's your domain name worth?
Perhaps it is better to ask how much a potential buyer would be willing to pay to acquire your domain name. If there was some interest in your domain name, you ought to, at least, have some kind of idea of its value. Generally, is the domain good or bad? If good, how good is it?
If you were to visit any domain reseller sites, you will find literally thousands of ridiculous names. If you scrutinize their asking prices, it will leave you shaking your head in amazement. They run into the thousands and even millions. Names like ApeChatsWorth.com.....It would be better to let them expire or sell cheap if you can find a 'fool'.
So how do you tell if you have a winning name?
I know someone will be quick to say, "That's easy. Get them appraised."
Well, you could do that. But the problem with domain appraisals is that there are no industry standards. And you simply cannot put a market value on it and give an accurate appraisal by any standards. Perhaps, in that sense, a domain name is different from real estate because it is not something you can see or touch.
There are numerous companies and sites on the web that will evaluate your domain and give you their opinion on what your domain name is worth. Their services cost anywhere from between $10 to $50. They give you a nice certificate online. But let me tell you that, an appraisal certificate may not necessarily do anything for your domain name.
As can be expected, a single domain name can have vastly differing values when evaluated by different appraisers. Values can differ by tens of thousands of dollars.
You have probably heard it being said over and over again that a domain name is only really worth what a buyer is willing to pay for it. Or what the buyer and seller can agree on to make a deal. So even if a domain name has been evaluated at $2,000 but if no one wants to pay out more than $200 for it, it is obvious the real value of the name is far less than the perceived value that it was originally appraised for.
If you have absolutely no idea what your domain name is worth, getting a professional appraisal may be useful as well as to give you a basis for an asking price if there was indeed someone interested in the name or simply to decide what you want to do with the domain name. A potential buyer already interested in a domain name you have, may be further swayed towards your position by an independent appraisal.
However, let me caution you to be careful. There are a number of thriving scams on the internet designed to play on your emotions and get your money. One instance is when a so-called "buyer" feigns interest in your domain name but requests first for an appraisal from a particular appraiser, just to be sure of the market value, he claims. Then, insists that no other appraisers will do. It doesn't take a genius to see through this. If you pay for the appraisal, the so-called 'buyer' suddenly disappears, no doubt to fleece his next victim. Many fall for this cruel trick in their ecstasy imagining that finally, there was actually someone wanting their domain name. Before you spend any money, check out feedback on the website's services from other customers. You can do this at Alexa.com. Simply enter the name of the website and you can see reviews and feedback from other customers.
A genuine buyer who wants your domain name is interested in it, NOT because some appraiser says it is worth a princely sum. But only because he himself sees it's intrinsic value and/or has specific plans for the name. Keep this in mind.
There are a number of free domain appraisal services you could try just to test the waters around your name.
A number of domain name forums have active appraisal boards where you can post your domain names and someone will evaluate it for you. A search on your favorite engine will give you several options.
You may also have come across automated computer scripts online that give you a free instant evaluation of your domain name when you put in certain required details about your name. Those give you a ballpark figure but sometimes do grossly inflate the value. It is after all a script.
If you do decide to get and pay for a professional appraisal, make sure you are engaging a reputable company or you would end up blowing your money.
If you're still undecided, let me take a look at your domain name and I'll evaluate it for free. No obligations. See http://www.OpenForSale.com/ to submit your domain name.
Copyright 2005 Edwin John
Edwin John is the author of the top-selling domain ebook, "How I Sell My Domain Names." A guide that teaches domain owners how to find buyers for their domain names. Visit: http://www.OpenForSale.com/
Choosing a domain name can be daunting. Research the subject (after all, you're the type of marketer who researches, right?) and you'll be hit with a landslide of opinions, most contradictory. There is, however, two points that everyone agrees on:
Pick your domain before you launch your business.
This is especially true if your market niche has lots of competition. Research your domain before you commit to a business plan.
Don't wait too long if you like a domain.
While you're researching, you'll likely come across a couple of domains that attract you. You might be tempted to wait, since you haven't finalized or refined your business plan. Don't. A handful of domains isn't going to cost you much at an affordable registrar like GoDaddy, and once they're gone, they're gone. Chances are you can even resell the rejects at cost, if not a profit. Or "develop" them with unique content and point them to your main site for extra traffic.
Now that we have the easy part of the way, let's wade into murkier waters.
Q. Which TLD (top-level domain) is best?
A. If you're a juggernaut in the business world with a giant ad budget, the answer is dot-com (.com). If you're a smalltime business struggling for search engine positioning, the answer is still dot-com.
People do disagree on the value of a dot-com TLD. Some assert that dot-coms have no particular value in the search engines, which may be true.
However, the fact is, if you haven't yet seared your brand on the collective brow of the planet, dot-com makes you easier to remember. If you eschew dot-coms, then in some deep dark place inside, people will remember you as "that hard-to-remember URL with the ending that isn't dot-com." What's worse, if you pick an otherwise memorable domain ending in dot-net, -us, or (God forbid) -tv, some of your traffic will end up at that competitor who snagged the dot-com version of your domain. Okay, that's settled. Now for the controversial stuff. Which is best: the "keyword" domain, or the "creative-genius, snappy and brandable" domain?
Keyword Name vs. Creative-Genius Brandable Name
A Keyword Name is the boring, workhorse kind of domain. You seem them everywhere. They bristle with hyphens: "best-anchovy-pizza-in-siberia.com." Or "super-labrador-accessories-and-golfballs.biz." On the face of it, they're hard to brand. They're hard to fit on business cards. They're really hard to explain over the phone to Aunt Martha.
On the other hand, a Creative-Genius Brandable Name is the sexy kind of domain. The successes are sparkling: Yahoo!, Google, Amazon.com. You can shout these URLs across the room and the other guy will probably get it right. But note: the dot-com road is littered with hip, snappy business who failed to brand their product successfully, or get listed high in the search engines. Now their URLs all point to the same page: "server not found …"
The debate rages on, but the first question you must ask yourself is:
How will people find YOU?
It was recently reported that "direct navigation" web traffic has started to outnumber search engine traffic. In other words, more people visit sites by typing in the URL directly than they do by combing search engines for results. So more gurus are recommending ‘brandable' domains.
But think about this. As a small business owner, how will people find you? Word of mouth? Billboards on I-95? "Corporate sponsorships" on hockey arenas? Probably not: they'll find you through search engines. They'll type in "cheap purple widgets," and as a smart marketer, you will offer them a website optimized for the keywords "cheap purple widgets."
Still, this doesn't imply you should automatically pick a keyword domain. There are pros and cons to both types.
BRANDABLE: ADVANTAGES
The brandable domain is great for business cards. In fact, it's nearly compulsory if you're planning on offline marketing. In other words, if you're printing up stationary at Kinkos, you want a brandable domain name.
If you're also a marketing genius, this is a fit challenge for your talents. Finding a memorable, apt domain to brand your business is something no software-driven suggestion tool can do.
Most "hybrid" domains -- ones that are really crosses between keywords and brandable names -- are long gone. But if you create a unique idea for your brand, you can probably snag the dot-com name for yourself. Now all you have to do is burn that brand onto the world's collective forehead. If you do, you'll benefit from type-in traffic. That means that if someone hears about you, they can probably find you just buy typing in your domain.
BRANDABLE: DISADVANTAGES
The brandable name requires solid marketing skill, research and luck. Your name should be so catchy, it's almost viral. It should also convey your actual business – or you'll have to work hard (often meaning, spend money) to associate the two. Your name should be "tested" on coworkers, cousins and dishwasher repairmen to ensure it has no undesirable connotations. Finally, your name should be available as a domain, and not suffer from competitors with similar domains. Sometimes, pulling all this off is difficult.
KEYWORD: ADVANTAGES
By keyword names, we're not talking about the glorious generic keywords – the one-keyword kings such as drugs.com or business.com. No, we're talking keyword names you can afford.
This is where you buy the domain name [http://www.cheap-purple-widgets.com] in hopes of getting a top search ranking for cheap purple widgets.
Advantages are many. First, more keyword names are available. (They're ugly, and many people feel an aversion to hyphens.) Also, they do help you place higher in the search engines. It's true that search engines only give you a little credit for having a keyword in your domain, but "a little credit" counts.
Second, keyword domains leave no doubt in the searcher's mind about what you're selling. If you decided to call your widget business "Ableeza," a searcher might not get at a glance what it is you're selling, even if your rank is high.
Finally, if you can get people to link to you, those links will be valuable. No matter how Webmaster Joe describes you, the link part will always say, "cheap-purple-widgets." This is a powerful search engine strategy for moving higher.
KEYWORD: DISADVANTAGES
You won't get type-in traffic for a keyword name. You can't really explain it across a phone. It won't look pretty on a business card, and it's almost impossible to pair up with a cute logo. But if search engine traffic is going to drive your business, the keyword name is worth a long, hard look.
WRAP-UP
Regardless of which type you choose, don't play guessing games. If you go with a keyword name, use a search tool (like http://conversion.7search.com/scripts/advertisertools/keywordsuggestion.aspx to determine what keyword phrases people are searching on.
If you choose a brandable name instead, test it out on a variety of real people first. Pay attention to their reactions. Reserve your domain early, since brandable domains go fast unless they're very unique.
In the long run, both types of domains can work for you, especially if offline marketing is an option and you have a knack for branding. Overall, though, the keyword domain is probably the easiest path to success for the small-business owner.
Blake Kritzberg is editor of FavorIdeas. Stop by for continually-updated celebrity wedding news, remarkable beach wedding favors, exclusive hairstyling articles and gorgeous and unique wedding favors.
If you are planning to make a income on the internet through your own internet marketing website or you just want to put up a website or blog about your favorite subject, there are certain steps that you have to complete first before you will be able to view your website online. One of the first and most important of these steps is buying a domain name. When you are new to this process it may all seem to be a little challenging, knowing just how to get started or what you have to do. If you find yourself in this position this article will definitely aid you when you are ready to buy your first domain name.
What is a domain name?
Simply explained a domain name is your one of a kind address on the internet. It allows Internet browsers (individuals searching the internet) to locate your particular website. Your domain name may be made up of your name, your business name, or variation of a set of relevant words associated with your website, company product, theme or subject. A good domain name will pretty much let people know what your website is about before they actually see or visit it.
Things to do before buying your domain name?
Because people and businesses have been buying up domain names for years now, it has been said that all of the good domain names have been taken already. Maybe this is true to some extent, however with a little research and imagination there should be no reason that you cannot create or find a domain name that you will be suited to you and or your website subject or niche. A good idea is to try to think of names or combinations of words and names that not only will tell the web surfer what your website is about but also be a name that is easy to remember, easy to spell, hard to forget. A domain name can be up to 67 characters in length, so it can also include names made up of a small phrase. such as "BestInTownPhoto.com" or "TheBarkingDogsKennels.com". These kind of domain names not only focus directly on what your website is about they are easier to remember than abstract or random characters or letters thrown together. You must also be aware that there are different types of domains which all have their certain type of extensions or ending:
-.com - Stands for company/commercial, but it can pretty much be used for any web site.
-.net - Stands for network and is usually used for a network of sites.
-.org - Stands for organization and is supposed to be for non-profit entities.
-.us, .nu, .co.uk, - Are country specific domain extensions that may require the register to be a citizen of the given country.
-.biz, .info - These and other like them are domain types that have been added because there are barely any short and intelligible domain addresses left to register.
When you are determining the type of domain name that is right for you simply stick to these guidelines: In the United States try to get a.com or.net. In other countries, if you cannot get the.com, then using your country's domain extension is a workable remedy
Write down the different names you come up with that appeal to you, make sure to put down as many as you can think of so that when you begin your search for available names to buy, if your first choice is already taken, as it very well may be, you will have a number of alternate or backup names that you can try. Many times finding the exact domain name you want can be "HIT or MISS" it is good to be prepared. You may also be able to keep the domain name of your choice by simply changing one letter, character or hyphenation within the name.
If you are determined to have a particular domain name and find out that is already in use by someone else there may be the option of purchasing that name directly from the owner by using the "Whois System" to help you identify the current owner of that particular domain name so that you may contact and make a offer to purchase that particular domain name. However because this is your first time buying a domain name and that method can involve much more, I will save the how to about that issue for a later time or article.
Register Your Domain Name
Once you have your list of preferred domain names you can now locate a service online that will not only show you the availability of the names but also register your chosen domain name as well. There are many of these companies and services to choose from. some of the better known and reliable services are:
"GoDaddy.com","Domain Name Registry.com" and "Register.com", you can also do a Google Search for "Domain name registries" to find other places to register your domain name.
Be prepared to pay between $8-$15 for your right to own your name for a one year period. This payment must be made annually to keep your ownership of your Domain name active. That is a good reason to choose a name that you will want to keep for a long time period. so that people will know exactly what your name is and where to find it over the years.
The last thing you will need to do is to take the IP address information provided to you from your webhost and in put input it at your domain name register before your domain name will function properly. It will allow the "DNS" (Domain Name System) to locate your domain name and website when your domain name is typed into a internet browser, this is called pointing you r domain name to your web host servers. A majority of domain registrars will probably require your IP and DNS server names in the course of registration, although some will call for you to go in and enter the information manually enter after your domain name registry fees have been paid.
Once you begin to follow the steps mentioned here in this article to buy your domain name you will see for yourself that they are not complicated at all, in fact buying a domain name is quite a simple process, so don't let the idea of doing this very important task yourself stop you from getting your first domain name online.
If you would like to find out more about Online Business Incomes or get help with starting one, I will be glad to help. Please visit his main site at: http://www.sasonlinebusinesssuccess.com
This is a "Shareware" Article (what's that? read on...)
This article is shareware. Give this article away for free on your site, or include it as part of any paid package as long as the entire article is left intact including this notice.
Copyright 2009 SAS Online Business Success.Com.
About The Author
Tony Sanford has been associated with internet marketing and starting home online businesses for the past 8 years. He is also considered by some to be an expert in this field. Tony is the owner and creator of his own successful internet marketing help sites. He has devoted years of his internet marketing life to offering internet marketing help and advice to all those who are interested in starting or enhancing their own successful home online business through his websites. Tony is one internet marketer who really seems to get the greatest reward and success by helping others reach their home online business goals.
If you would like to find out more about Internet Marketing Incomes or starting an online business. Please visit his main site at: http://www.sasonlinebusinesssuccess.com.
A domain name is an alias for an IP address. Now what is an IP address? An IP address is a numeric code that signifies where to look through the Internet for content. An example of an IP address would be 22.226.141.25. Rather than typing in a long and easily forgotten IP address, a domain name helps you by typing an easily remembered name to access the same site.
For example, http://www.domainsatretail.com is a domain name that points to a specific IP address. People can remember a domain name such as http://www.domainsatretail.com much easier than they can a long numeric code.
Domain names are everywhere as many use it everyday. Think of search sites. Google and Yahoo both have corresponding domain names http://www.google.com and http://www.yahoo.com. If you have ever sent an email you have used a domain name. For example when sending an email to user@sympatico.ca, sympatico.ca is the domain name.
Now that we have a better understanding of domain names, we need to know which domain name to pick and where can we register it. The domain name chosen for a web site can be a very important decision of marketing your company on the Internet. Its quite easy to just say pick a catchy domain that everyone will remember to use and you are set. In most cases it is that simple and you are set on your way to register the domain. However, at times the domain name you want has already been taken. And then you must think of a secondary name that you wish to use that will be just as catchy as the first.
OK, now you have picked your domain name you want. What is next? You need to choose a registrar for you domain name registration. There are many registrars who sign up and are available for the year, but you get no service from them whatsoever. Here are two domain name registrars that I would recommend for completing your domain name registration.
1) Domains at Retail - registrar that registers domain names. We provide great service and have 24/7 customer support. .com domain names are normally on sale for $8.75 US / year, however they are currently being run on promotion for $7.95 US / year. Visit Domains at Retail at http://www.domainsatretail.com for Cheap domain registration and excellent customer service.
2) Domains at Cost - excellent registrar with very competitive prices. I use this registrar for my .ca domain name registrations and renewals. They offer an excellent price ($14.41 CDN per domain name registration) and I am always able to get someone on the phone and my questions answered. Please Visit Domains at Cost at http://www.domainsatcost.ca for .ca Domain Name Registrations!
Good Luck with your domain name registration process and your start to your online marketing!
Michael Kralj is owner of Emenki Web Solutions and Domains at Retail. Emenki Web Solutions are web site designers and programmers based in Hamilton, Ontario, providing businesses with an informative and strategic approach to establishing an online presence on the web.
Please visit Emenki Web Solutions & Web Design in Hamilton, Ontario on the web http://www.emenki.com
Please visit Domains at Retail - Cheap Domain Name Registration on the web: http://www.domainsatretail.com
The domain name registration is the first step to giving an online identity to your business. A good domain name familiarizes your website name to most people who are on the lookout for finding information about products or services you deal in. You should opt for a domain name that includes the main keywords that you have chosen for your website. You should do some online research and make use of tools like Overture keyword suggestion tool to find how much traffic your chosen keywords can attract each month. Based on the effectiveness of the keywords or key phrases you can come up with a domain name.
You should keep your domain name short. The shorter simpler and catchy domain names are more memorable. A longer domain name can be a hurdle in terms of typo-errors and spelling mistakes when a client or customer contacts you through an email. If you are of the opinion that in future, you are going to have a lot of people coming to your website through word of mouth, then you can register similar sounding or similarly spelled domain names that direct to your main URL page. Domain names are a big money making business today. There are cyber squatters who register domain names with hopes of selling them for profit at a higher price for someone has a requirement for that domain name.
List your domain name with a price because it will generate more bids than a domain listed as "Make Offer" without a price mentioned. If you price a domain name low, then you can certainly attract attention and garner a fast sale. In case your domain names do not attract prospects, then you should brush your knowledge about domain selling. A well meaning site dealing in domain names will give you quality insider information and tips rather than just asking you to sell domain names. You can expect to get information about Search Engine Optimization, branding, viability and advertising potential. A domain site like namecheap does its homework well; recommending potential buyers and telling you to stay clear of hindrances like unregistered optional domain names and copyright conflicts which prevent you from making a good sales.
Make it a point to reply to every bid even if the price is quite low. Most prospective buyers quote a low price to begin with but you should not be put-off with this response. Reply to them and list your price but at the same time endeavor to give good customer service. Make sure that you keep your email address updated on the domain name website.
An internet domain name website works on the demands of the current market. What is hot sells! At times you may find a domain name sitting at one place without being sold while another domain name sells within hours of being listed. One of the best strategies which work best while selling domain names is to list your domain name both in "Make Offer" option (in the "Price Option" box) and also listing an approximate figure in the "Price" box.
If you are sure about not accepting any offers below a certain point, you should list a "Minimum Offer" which removes out any bids lower than expected. It is also important to note that a "Fixed Offer" is a price that a seller has complied with to sell a domain for. The fixed offer is a legal and binding contract between both the buyer and the seller and there can be no more offer or negotiations after the fixed offer is laid.
There are featured listings in domain name hosting websites where you can have your domain listed. This helps position your domain name strategically and attract a lot of prospects. You can also park your domains. When you do so, you can earn some money while the domain is listed. Also the individual aspiring to buy a domain name will be able to get a fair idea of the traffic which is attracted to your domain. If you have a website, then you can include the URL of the domain web site to make the buying process easier and suitable for potential buyers
ARUNRAJ V.S. reveals domain names business secrets.
Once you have chosen the niche that you wish to create a website in, your next step is to choose a domain name for your website. What is a Domain Name? - You domain name is what people type into their internet browser to access your website. This article will show you how to choose a great domain name.
Choosing your domain name is an INCREDIBLE IMPORTANT step in making money from your website. A lot of people fail to spend sufficient time choosing a domain name and thus their entire website suffers.
You domain name is your websites brand and your websites identity, it will either make your website stand out from the crowd and become extremely successful or it will make it blend in with the crowd and not be noticed. When it comes to building a website you want to be the website that stands out in people's minds.
In order to get a great domain name (and a domain name that will increase the value of your website) you need to follow a few specific rules.
2-3 Words You domain name should be 2-3 words long. If you go longer than 2-3 words it becomes too long for readers to remember and therefore is less valuable. Obviously one word is best, but almost all one word domain names are gone, so it is best to aim for a good 2-3 word domain name.
Brandable You domain name should be brandable and something that is easy to remember. Don't create a domain name that you do not feel is brandable and easy to remember.
A domain name is not going to be brandable if the words do not relate to each other (eg moneywinedogs.com). The words need to relate and go together well to make it brandable. Though this is not always the case. For example there is the blog shoemoney.com, which is an extremely popular blog and is extremely brandable. But yet what do shoes and money have in common? Nothing! You need to find the balance.
Dot Com When choosing a domain name you want to have a .com domain name. It is much easier to get a domain name for .net, .org, .biz and .info but these domain names are not as valuable. A .com domain name has the potential to increase you sales price $50-$100 more than a .net or .org name.
Finding a great .com name can be difficult and can take you some time, but ultimately it will be worth it in the end when it comes to selling your website. So avoid all other extensions and stick with .com unless you have absolutely no other choice or if you find a domain in another extension that is extremely brandable (for example if you could get dogs.net)
Related To Your Niche You domain name is going to be your brand so it is important that it is directly related to your niche. The domain name I chose for my website flip is directly related to my niche of making money.
If your website is going to be about dogs don't go buying the domain bestcats.com because it is 2-3 words and brandable. It needs to relate to your niche at all times.
Avoid Double Letters When creating your domain name avoid having one word end with a letter and the next word start with the same letter. For example you shouldn't have the domain 'Dogs Shampoo" (dogsshampoo.com) because dogs ends in S and shampoo starts with S. This looks unprofessional and is annoying for readers to type into their address bar. People dislike these types of domain names and thus it will drive your traffic and sale price down significantly.
Sleep On It This is a rule that I now live by. I have made the mistake too many times of buying domain names thinking that they will help me make money and then realising later that I was just caught up in the moment. Once you land on a domain name you like you will naturally want to impulse buy it immediately.
RESIST THIS URGE
Resist the urge and sleep on it and think about it for at least 24 hours. If after 24 hours you still agree with your decision then go ahead a buy it.
Giving yourself time can save you a lot of money in the long run.
Finding Your Domain - Tools Without a doubt the best tool for finding domain names is the Instant Domain Search tool at www.instantdomainsearch.com. This tool allows you to type any possible domain name and it will instantly show you if that domain name is available for the 3 most popular extensions (.com .net and .org). This allows you to quickly search multiple domain names, and variations of domain names rather quickly so you can find one that is perfect for your website. This service is free to use and is something that I utilise everytime I am searching for a new domain name
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