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## Website Domains * * * A domain name is the unique name of a website. Domain registration should be included in your hosting solution. A domain name should be easy to remember and easy to type. * * * ## What Is a Domain Name? A domain name is the unique name of a website, such as ****. Domain names must be registered. Once registered, the domain is added to a large domain registrar database along with information related to your website—including IP address information stored on DNS servers. DNS stands for Domain Name System. DNS servers notify other computers on the Internet about your domain name and its associated address information. !(#) * * * ## Registering a Domain Name You can register a domain name through domain registration companies. These companies provide interfaces to check for available domain names and offer various domain name extensions that can be registered simultaneously. * * * ## Choosing a Domain Name Selecting a domain name is an important step for any individual or organization. While many domains have already been registered, new domain extensions and creative ideas still provide thousands of excellent options. When choosing a domain name, carefully consider its intended use—this makes it easier for people to find your website. A good domain name has the following characteristics: **Short** – People dislike typing! The shorter the domain, the easier it is to access and the less likely users are to make input errors. **Meaningful** – A short domain without meaning isn’t necessarily good. For example, “34i4nh69.com” is only eight characters long, yet it’s neither easy to type nor to remember. Therefore, please choose a domain name relevant to your website and easy to understand. **Clear** – Clarity is also important when selecting a domain name. Avoid domains that are difficult to spell or pronounce. Also consider whether your chosen domain sounds pleasant and can be communicated quickly over the phone. **Visibility** – Just like premium real estate projects enjoy high visibility, short and memorable domain names are valuable assets. In addition to visitors accessing your site via your domain, you should also consider search engines. Search engines index and rank your website based on how closely online searches match your content. To maximize your website’s visibility, include relevant search terms in your domain name—provided, of course, that your chosen domain remains short, clear, and meaningful. * * * ## Subdomains Most people don’t realize it, but they use subdomains daily. The most common “www” is actually a typical subdomain. Subdomains can be created on DNS servers without requiring registration through a domain registrar. However, you must first register the primary (root) domain before creating subdomains. Many examples of subdomains exist on the Internet—for instance, c. and test.. You may request your web hosting provider to create subdomains, or you can create them yourself by managing your DNS server. * * * ## Fake Domains – Directory Listings Some providers may offer you a unique name under their own domain: www.theircompany.com/yourcompany/ This is not a real domain name—it’s merely a directory—and should be avoided whenever possible. Such URLs are undesirable, especially for businesses. So avoid them if you can afford to pay for your own domain. These types of URLs are typically used by ISPs for personal or free websites; essentially, they represent shared domain usage, giving users their own address under a single domain. Full competition among domain registrars has greatly reduced domain registration fees, making shared-domain setups increasingly rare—since you can now register your own domain for just $15. * * * ## Expired Domains Another source for domain names is expired domains. Once you register a domain, assuming there are no legal or trademark disputes, you may use it indefinitely as long as you keep paying the registration fee (you can even prepay for up to 10 years). Some people speculate on domains, hoping to sell them later, while others register domains intending to use them but never do. As a result, previously registered domains periodically become available for re-registration. You can check recently expired domains at http://www.dotdnr.com. If you wish to register one, the cost is the same as registering a new domain. * * * ## Using Your Domain Name After you’ve selected—and registered—your own domain name, be sure to use it on all your web pages and all your correspondence, including emails and traditional letters. It’s important to let others know your domain name—share it with your partners and customers.