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Choosing a Domain Name
To register your domain name, we
recommend this service:
http://www.FineWebsitesRegistry.com
The first step in having a website of your own
is to register one or more domain names. If you know (or even suspect!)
you'll want your own website one day we strongly recommend that you register
your domain name NOW before it is taken by someone else. Many .com domain
names have already been taken (even personal names) so for a low yearly fee it
makes sense to register your domain name now and keep it until you're ready for
it.
Your domain name will essentially become
your business name, so choose carefully. A lot of artists and other
professionals simply register
their name:
www.jeannedobie.com
Some include more information:
www.edithmaynardwatercolors.com
www.joycegraceartist.com
Some use part of their name:
www.freedpastels.com
Whatever you choose, have some back-ups
in mind in case your first choice is taken (so many good ones are, so DON'T
WAIT!!!). And, if you're not quite sure what you want, it's inexpensive
enough to register more than one. You can always let a domain name expire
and go to someone else later after your business concept has jelled.
Whenever possible, choose a name with a
.com extension. While .net and .org are becoming more popular, .com is
easiest for people to remember. Also, if your choice is already taken, or
is long and hard to read with the words all run together, consider using hyphens. For
example:
www.edithmaynardwatercolors.com
could also have been:
www.edith-maynard-watercolors.com
Try typing out your choice with
everything running together and see if it makes sense:
www.warrenkressstore.com
Notice how your eye gets confused by
"sss". This might be a good place to use hyphens, or to choose
another name. Also,
keep in mind that no punctuation can be used in a domain name.
One point to keep in mind is that
hyphens are often hard for people to remember - and they make it a little harder
to verbally convey your domain name. For example, during a phone
conversation with someone who is anxious to visit your site, you may find "sallysmith.com"
easier to understand than "sallyhyphensmith.com".
The ideal choice for a
domain name is for the words to be short and memorable, readable when strung
together, and with a .com extension. Names are so unavailable these days
that you may need to compromise on one or more points.
Remember - you're choosing a domain name to coordinate with your business cards and
business name, so choose carefully. You'll be living with it for a long
time.
To register your domain name, we
recommend this service:
http://www.FineWebsitesRegistry.com
The prices are good (many registrars
charge $35 per year), the service is
excellent, and they have 24/7 phone support if you have questions. Once
your domain name is registered, they will "park it" for you until
you're ready to direct it to a website or web page.
You will create an account at FineWebsites
Domain Registry
with a user name and password when you register your domain, so keep that
information in a safe place. You'll need to log in at the same website
later when you want to direct your domain name to your website.
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