For people, who have never registered a domain, the whole process might sound very complicated but in fact it is a pretty straightforward one as described next.
Where to Shop for Domain Names?
There are many domain name registrars and it takes just a quick search on the Net to discover a bunch of them. While most domain name registrars are honest companies, there are few, which are notorious for their unethical practices. Because of that, it is important to research the reputation of a particular domain name registrar first and only if it is a reputable company, then to register your domain with them.
A Domain or a Subdomain?
Sometimes people are reluctant to register a domain of their own because they think they can go with a subdomain with a free domain, such as blogspot.com. Yes, it is possible to host a site as a subdomain on a free domain but this is not the best approach for a serious web site. Having in mind that a domain costs less than $10 a year, it makes no sense at all to host a site with a free subdomain.
Tips for Selecting the Right Domain Name
It gets more and more difficult to register a good domain name. Searching for a free domain name can take a long time and soon one feels that all good domain names have already been taken. Well, this is not exactly so and with some creativity (and a lot of patience), it is possible to find and register a good domain name. Here are some considerations to bear in mind when selecting a domain name:
- A domain name must be keyword-rich. Good ranking with search engines is important for the success of a site and when a domain name contains 2-3 keywords, this seriously increases the chances for top rankings. 2-3 keywords might contribute to a longer domain name but this is not something to complain about.
- A domain name must be easy to remember. Short domain names are easier to remember, so all equal, domain names should be kept short. A domain name under 10-15 characters is best but if justified, a longer one is also acceptable.
- Top level domains matter a lot. A good domain name is not only keyword-rich, yet short but its top level domain is also carefully selected. The 3-4 letter words after the domain name (i.e .com, .net, .org, .biz,. .info, etc) are the top level domain. There are rules when each top level domain is allowed but if there is a choice, a .com domain is always best.
- Avoid alternative spellings. It is true that many good domains are already taken but this does not mean that a misspelling of a taken domain is the way to go. So, if salestricks.com is taken, saleztrikz.com or something similar is not an appropriate choice. Instead, with some additional research, it will be possible to find free and properly spelled domain names.
Registering a domain name is not difficult but it certainly has its perks. For a first-timer it can be a challenging job but as one gains practice, it becomes easier and easier.
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