Domain
Name Registration
How do I Register a Domain Name?
Domain names can be registered by
individuals and businesses. The organization which has been
designated as the administrator of the domain name registration
process is ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names
and Numbers). ICANN does not register domain names itself,
rather it authorizes other companies to do so. There are currently
dozens of accredited registrars and more awaiting approval
to be accredited. For a complete list of these registrars
go to www.icann.com.
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If you are thinking of establishing
your own web page, you will need to have a web address. A
web address is typically provided as part of your subscription
to the online service providers such as AOL or PeoplePC. If
you wish to have your own domain name however, you must register
the domain name with an ICANN authorized registrar. The simplest
and fastest way to accomplish this is to do it on-line, although
it can also be done in writing or initiated over the phone.
It generally takes less than an hour to complete the registration
process.
Domain Name Registration Requirements
You must have an active
e-mail address to receive a domain name
You must have Domain Name
Service prior to requesting a domain name
You must complete and submit
an electronic application
Domain names are currently
restricted to 63 characters in length
A domain names can consist
of any combination of letters, numbers or dashes (-)
A domain names cannot begin
or end with a dash
Domain Name Registration Fees
Registration fees vary dramatically.
The price trend, however, is downward, which is good news
for individuals securing or renewing a domain name registration.
Until recently, Network Solutions was the sole entity authorized
to register domain names. It charged a flat price of $70 for
2 years ($35 per year) and had no competition.
ICANN was empowered and charged
to instill competition into the domain name registration market
place. Since that time, a large number of new entrants have
joined the fray, and prices have begun to drop dramatically.
Registrations can now be accomplished for as little as $8
per year with average prices ranging from $12-$30 per year.
Renewal fees are typically set at the same rate as new registrations.
Approximately 60 days prior to the expiration of your registration
agreement, your registrar will send a renewal notice.
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Checking Domain Name Availability
Domain names are being snapped up
at a rapid pace. This means that timing can be rather important
in deciding on and registering a new name.
Checking the availability of a domain
name is simple and immediate if you have access to the Internet.
On the home page of any of the authorized registrars you will
find a search tool that will allow you to type in your desired
domain name to see if there is a match for the name in the
database. If the search turns up a match, it means the name
has already been registered by another company or individual
- you will need to try another name. If the computer finds
no match, you may register the name at that time electronically.
Negotiating For a Previously Registered
Name
Ownership information for domain
names is a matter of public record and is available through
most official registrars. If you find that your desired name
has already been registered by someone else, you have the
ability to contact that person or company directly and attempt
to buy the name from them. This will be easier if the domain
name is not yet associated with an active web page. Many people
will reserve a number of domain names for future use, and
they may be willing to sell the rights to a name they aren't
currently using. Unless you perceive that the name has an
extremely high value to your operation however, you should
think carefully before laying down a lot of money for it.
If you are creative you can probably come up with another
name that suits your business just as well.
Over the past several years a robust
secondary market has developed for domain names. Great Domains.com,
one of the pioneers of the secondary market is currently the
market leader, with approximately 1 million names listed for
sale. Afternic.com, an after-market domain name auction service
also has a strong presence.
Web Site Hosting Service (Domain Name
Service)
Without Domain Name Service, most
registrars will not process a new domain name. This means
that you will need to make arrangements with a web site hosting
service in advance of applying for your domain name. However,
increasingly, the domain name registrars provide their own
hosting services and are generally happy to "Park"
your domain on their site for free until you come to the point
where you are ready to activate it. In addition to the registrar
companies listed with ICANN, there are numerous local, regional
and national web hosting services available. What is more,
prices for monthly web hosting service are coming down as
competition for market share intensifies.
A web host provides the computer
and telecommunications infrastructure that allows your web
site to be accessed by Internet browsers and patrons. The
server provided by the web hosting company, while transparent
to the end user, is your critical interface to the world-wide-web.
Fees for Web Site Hosting
Be aware that the fees for web site
hosting vary greatly. Many local companies still charge fees
as high as $30 to $50 per month. Most larger national hosting
services are offering services for around $15 per month. Evaluate
your alternatives carefully. Some services will try to lock
you into a long-term commitment by offering a lower monthly
rate. Others will offer a reasonable monthly rate on a month-to-month
basis. Up front fees will also vary. Don't be in a hurry.
Most services will allow you to "park" a domain
name on their site free of charge. This means that you can
get the hosting services primary and secondary hosting names
and addresses (required by your domain name registrar) without
signing up for the monthly service. Once you have registered
a name and developed a web site, you will be able to initiate
your hosting service at your leisure.
15
Reasons to Go On-Line
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