What is a domain name?
Domain names are the words you type in to get to a web site, like microsoft.com or google.com. Domain names are just like names in a telephone book, you remember someone's name and look it up to find their number. The same thing happens when you want to go to a web site, you type in a domain name and the computer looks it up and finds the number (an IP address) and off you go to that web site. The reason for this is computers work with numbers and people work with words, it's easy for us to remember words, even long ones, but we keep mixing up numbers.
Your domain name is your unique spot on the internet. You choose a name and put it in the directory (you register it in the Domain Name System), and from then on people just need that name to find you on the web.
In a phone book, there may be many people with the same name, like John Smith, and if you look up that name you need to sort them out to find the right one. Maybe you know their street address and that's enough but sometimes you just call several of the listings until you locate the one you want. Computers are not like that, only one listing can exist for any specific domain name and be entered in that directory, the Domain Name System, so no matter who types in the name, there's only one place they can go.
How do you get one?
There are two steps: first is choosing a name and second is registration. You might wonder why choosing a name is a separate step, just tell them you want johnsbicycleshop.com or whatever applies in your case and there you have it. Well, just like in a phone book, someone may already have that name so first you need to see if the name you want is available. Not only that, you might want to create a name that tells people something about your business, using the words people would use to find you if they do a search, "keywords", instead of just using something like johnscompany.com.
Checking availability can often be done at the same place where you register the name. Registrars, the companies that record your specific information and register the name for you, will have a spot where you can do a "whois" or a name check for a specific name. Enter the one you want and see if it's available, if not, choose again until you find one that fits and isn't taken.
How much does a domain name cost?
Domain names vary from as much as $30.00 or more per year all the way down to zero. Originally there was only one place to register your name but now there are many companies competing for your business and the prices have come down a lot. If you register for one year, the price will be high, multiple year registrations lower the cost. There are even some hosting companies (the companies that provide a place for your web site) who will register your domain for free if you sign up for their hosting services.
TIP: Although registering your domain name with your hosting company, especially when the domain registration is offered for free, may seem tempting, we strongly advise against that practice. If you should have problems with your web host, changing domain registrars and moving your site could be far more difficult. If you have your domain at GoDaddy, for instance, simply logging in and pointing your website to a new host can take minutes and your new website can be live within a couple of hours on a completely new host. Changing registrars can take days and in the meantime, your site is down. If your site is important, days of downtime can be inconvenient at best and also very costly.
Parking your domain name
Something else to consider is parking your name. If you are thinking of putting up a web site, but you know the site won't be done immediately, you can still do a search for the domain name you want and if it's available get it right now. That way you do not run the risk of someone else registering it while you are waiting for your site to get done, having to settle for your second choice when you finally need it. You register the name as you normally would and when your site is ready and your hosting is arranged you tell the registrar where the site is located.
Recommended Registrars:
We highly recommend GoDaddy for domain registrations. Their prices and service are simply the best. We use them and recommend you do, too.
