BottomLine Web
Services offers free domain registration for new plan signups
on our lowest priced web hosting, that comes with the highest rated
customer satisfaction, and complete domain name registration
and management services. To find
out more about free and affordable domain name registration and for
tips on choosing a domain name read below.
What is a Domain Name?
Domain names were invented to avoid having to remember a string of
numbers when we want to go to a web site or email someone. Names are
much easier to remember than numbers.
All computers connected to the Internet are identified by a unique
number called an IP address (for instance, 64.62.140.237 - that's
our current IP address). IP addresses are neither intuitive (they
don't correspond to a geographical location) nor easy to remember
(you can prove that by glancing away from this page and then trying
to quote the example IP address above!). Further in today's hosting
most web sites are sharing IP addresses. The technology exists to
that whch conserves IP space, and helps keep hosting prices
affordable for everybody.
As well as being hard to remember, however, IP addresses are also
FIXED (i.e. if you change web hosting companies you'll get a new IP
address for your site). Domain names offer a more intuitive way to
name and find a website. Each domain name replaces a string of
seemingly meaningless numbers (an IP address) with a simple word or
expression.
Register a Domain Name
To register domain names, you need to use ICANN-accredited domain
name providers. BottomLine Web Services uses ICANN-accredited domain
registration. If you need a web hosting provider you can get FREE
domain name registration when you sign up for BottomLine Web
Hosting.
What's Involved When You
Register Domain Names?
When you register domain names, you are asked to provide BottomLine
with the various contact and technical information that makes up the
registration. We will then keep records of contact information and
submit the technical information to a central directory known as the
"registry." This registry provides other computers on the Internet
the information necessary to send you email or to find your website.
Only registrars accredited by the Internet Corporation for Assigned
Names and Numbers (ICANN) are authorized for registering .com, .net,
.org and other domain names with the official registry. ICANN is the
governing body that oversees the domain name industry, as appointed
by the U.S. government.
- The domain names you register
for are called "top level domains", or TLDs.
- Common TLDs include: .com, .net,
.org, .biz, .info, .us, .name, .cc, .ws, etc.
- You register the name through a
"registrar", such as BottomLine.
- Your domain name can be
transferred from one web hosting provider to another for free.
- Domain names can be registered
for periods of 1 to 10 years at a time.
- You must supply your registrar
with BottomLine's DNS information.
For information on transferring a
domain name to BottomLine Web Services (for free) click
here.
Choosing a Domain Name
If you wish to have a presence on the web, your domain name is one
of the most important decisions you will need to make. It is the
center of your Internet identity and makes it easier for people to
find your site. What types of things should you take into
consideration when choosing the name that will represent you on the
web? BottomLine Web Services offers these tips.
Dot what?
There are many different extensions available right now. If you are
a business, we recommend a .com suffix. It is the first extension
that most people try when searching for a site. If .com is not
available, our registration order form will provide you with
alternative extensions as well as a list of prefixes and suffixes
added to your original choice.
Avoid Trademarked Names
There are two really good reasons for this. First, it’s not very
nice. We have all heard the stories about the zany guy who thought
ahead and bought "some-huge-multi-million-dollar-company.com" and
sold it to the company for enough money to retire on. But, remember
that those companies have spent lots of time and money creating
their brand, and it would really be unfortunate if the tables were
turned. The second reason to avoid trademarked names is that
companies are no longer opening their pocketbooks to get their names
back. They are calling their lawyers. Also, pending legislation will
soon make it very difficult to register someone else’s trademarked
name.
Register your domain ASAP
Domain names are being snatched up faster than candy at the St.
Patrick’s Day parade. You must register soon unless you want to get
stuck with "the-domain-name-that-no-one-wanted.net". You do not have
to have a webmaster, an e-commerce department or a web design
consultant.
One may not be Enough
Sometimes, it isn’t a bad idea to register several similar domain
names. If you have "yourname.com", register "yourname.net" so no one
else takes it. You can register your full company name and a
shorter, easier to remember version. Some people even register
common misspellings of their company’s name. At only $9.00/year,
BottomLine offers about the most affordable domain registration
services available on the internet. And all or some of your domain
names can point to the same web site.
Character types
Just a reminder. Domain names can only use letters, numbers, and
hyphens ("-"). Spaces and other symbols are not allowed, and they
cannot begin or end with a hyphen. Domain names are not case
sensitive and cannot exceed 63 total characters.
Ask Around
When you have registered one or several available name choices, see
what your friends and clients have to say. A name that may make
perfect sense to you may be too hard for other people to remember.
Is your domain easy to say? Is it hard to spell? Do you have to
explain why you chose the name?
Don’t shell out large amounts of $$$
Companies like VersiSign and Register.com charge up to $35.00/year
for domain name registration. Compare that to BottomLine's
$9.00/year! Affordable domain registration service from BottomLine
Web Hosting. |
