Register, Inexpensive, Domain, Names, Your, Business,
Registering a domain name is one of the first considerations to make when starting a web-based business. In fact, any business or organization that has a web component should consider this a top priority. Fortunately, it's possible to register inexpensive domain names even if you haven't made a final decision on a business name.
Your domain name is your brand name. It's usually advisable to match your domain name to your business name. If your business is in the planning stages, you're undoubtedly beginning to consider names for it. You may start with a list of 10 to 20 names that you like. The next step is to whittle down the list to your top five to 10. Once you have that short list, it's time to go to a domain name registry.
The next step is to decide on a domain "brand." This is the extension that will become a part of your own brand (.com, .org, .net, .biz, etc.). The extension that you choose will become an integral means of locating your business on the Internet. Like any brand name, it can affect your customers' perceptions of the nature and quality of your business. Here are a few things to remember about your domain name's extension:
- * The .com extension is the most highly recognized in the world. It is fairly universal. It's probably the best choice if your website will be doing business internationally.
- *A .org extension is typically associated with charities and non-profit organizations. This extension is not limited to those types of websites though. Currently, there are thousands of businesses that have .org extensions. However, if you plan to compete in the international business market, a .org extension may not be your best choice.
- * The .net and .biz extensions are largely associated with business websites. They tend to not have the same kind of brand-recognition potential as .com extensions, though this is gradually changing. The advantage to a .net or .biz extension is that these are sometimes cheaper to register.
- *Local domain extensions like .ca (Canada) or .uk (United Kingdom) may be suitable choices, depending on your business or organization. This is especially true if your site does most of its business in the country signified by the domain extension.
If you have yet to make a final name choice, it's best to register all of the names on your shortlist. Inexpensive domain names are available all over the web. In fact, many registries give discounted deals when you apply for multiple names. Once you've registered, you have exclusive rights to those domain names.
Domain names have to be renewed yearly. Another trick to obtaining inexpensive domain names is to subscribe to multiple years right from the beginning. The longer the subscription, the better deal you'll receive. Once you've done so, you have several months to a few years to make a decision on your name. After you've chosen the one you want, you can allow the ones you don't need to expire.
Like anything else you intend to purchase, it's a good idea to shop around for a bargain. Domain name registries are as competitive as any other business. That's why shopping for the best deal is wise. Expect to spend a bit of time doing this. You can't always go by a domain registry's initial advertised price. They often lure in potential customers by advertising their lowest price point. In fact, almost every registry touts inexpensive domain names. Sometimes it's only when you've gotten through the checkout process that extra charges become apparent. Always be sure to do a thorough investigation before hitting that "Pay Now" button.
Registering a domain name is one of the first considerations to make when starting a web-based business. In fact, any business or organization that has a web component should consider this a top priority. Fortunately, it's possible to register inexpensive domain names even if you haven't made a final decision on a business name.
Your domain name is your brand name. It's usually advisable to match your domain name to your business name. If your business is in the planning stages, you're undoubtedly beginning to consider names for it. You may start with a list of 10 to 20 names that you like. The next step is to whittle down the list to your top five to 10. Once you have that short list, it's time to go to a domain name registry.
The next step is to decide on a domain "brand." This is the extension that will become a part of your own brand (.com, .org, .net, .biz, etc.). The extension that you choose will become an integral means of locating your business on the Internet. Like any brand name, it can affect your customers' perceptions of the nature and quality of your business. Here are a few things to remember about your domain name's extension:
- * The .com extension is the most highly recognized in the world. It is fairly universal. It's probably the best choice if your website will be doing business internationally.
- *A .org extension is typically associated with charities and non-profit organizations. This extension is not limited to those types of websites though. Currently, there are thousands of businesses that have .org extensions. However, if you plan to compete in the international business market, a .org extension may not be your best choice.
- * The .net and .biz extensions are largely associated with business websites. They tend to not have the same kind of brand-recognition potential as .com extensions, though this is gradually changing. The advantage to a .net or .biz extension is that these are sometimes cheaper to register.
- *Local domain extensions like .ca (Canada) or .uk (United Kingdom) may be suitable choices, depending on your business or organization. This is especially true if your site does most of its business in the country signified by the domain extension.
If you have yet to make a final name choice, it's best to register all of the names on your shortlist. Inexpensive domain names are available all over the web. In fact, many registries give discounted deals when you apply for multiple names. Once you've registered, you have exclusive rights to those domain names.
Domain names have to be renewed yearly. Another trick to obtaining inexpensive domain names is to subscribe to multiple years right from the beginning. The longer the subscription, the better deal you'll receive. Once you've done so, you have several months to a few years to make a decision on your name. After you've chosen the one you want, you can allow the ones you don't need to expire.
Like anything else you intend to purchase, it's a good idea to shop around for a bargain. Domain name registries are as competitive as any other business. That's why shopping for the best deal is wise. Expect to spend a bit of time doing this. You can't always go by a domain registry's initial advertised price. They often lure in potential customers by advertising their lowest price point. In fact, almost every registry touts inexpensive domain names. Sometimes it's only when you've gotten through the checkout process that extra charges become apparent. Always be sure to do a thorough investigation before hitting that "Pay Now" button.