So, you want to create a website.  You already know that having a website puts you in the realm of cyberspace and the entire world.  But, before you create your website, you need to give it a name.

The domain name is how you will be recognized online.  You will be referred to as www dot whatever dot com.  A domain name can have various extensions: .net, .com, .us, .uk, .org, and so on.  What goes between the www and the extension is what is most important.

Choosing a name is like choosing a fine wine.  You want to get it right the first time and every time.  Before choosing a name, consider the reach of your website.  For instance, if you have a storefront business that you want to promote on the Internet, the website will be mainly for your local customers.  A domain name that includes the business name is okay here.

If you want to operate an online business where people all over the world can find you and buy your products, your domain name will need to be more universal.  Here, you will make use of keywords, not necessarily your business name.  The most useful keywords will be the ones people use to find search results.  If you are into jewelry, use keyword tools to determine the most frequent keywords used by someone searching for items in the jewelry category.  Your domain name will include one or two of those.

• Perform a domain name search. See if anyone has your name or any variation of that name.  Also check for different domain name extensions.  If the name is not registered, you can use it.  It is highly recommended that you also register your chosen domain name under other available extensions to avoid copycatting by others.

• Find a website host. Once you have a website, you need someone to host it so you can create your pages.  Choose a web host with large enough bandwidth for your needs, 24 hour support, and tutorials to help you get started.  There is nothing worse than contracting with a web host who provides nothing other than the bandwidth.

• Now that you’ve chosen a name, you’ll want to register it. There are several website registrars who will gladly register your domain name.  Since all registrars do the same thing, choose one with a reasonable yearly rate.  When you register, that domain name(s) is yours for one year unless you register for a longer period.  You will need to renew to keep your names.

The process is simple.  You’ll need your domain name and some information from your website host (DNS IP addresses).  The registrar will ask for a credit card or PayPal account to pay for the domain name.

Here is a partial list of domain registrars:

• Register.com
• Dotster.com
• GoDaddy.com

Registering a domain name is easy and it legitimizes your website and your business.

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