| Deciding on a new domain name is a bit like preparing | | | | thing is to note down all pertinent information |
| for a job interview. First impressions count. | | | | including contact details of the registrar, confirmation |
| Registering a name that conveys the spirit of your | | | | that your payment has been accepted, usernames, |
| business; is easy to remember and has the right | | | | passwords and renewal dates. |
| extension can seem a little daunting. When the URL is | | | | Keeping the registrar details handy means you can |
| emblazoned on your company stationary and painted | | | | check back for new services and offers and you're |
| on your fleet of vehicles, there's no going back. Unlike | | | | more likely to notify the company of any new |
| in a job interview, you can't buy time or think on | | | | contact details. This is essential if you want to renew |
| your feet if your answer falls flat. | | | | your domain when the original agreement runs out. |
| That's why your web site URL has to give the right | | | | Most domain name registration companies will send |
| impression and secure that crucial second interview. | | | | renewal reminders via email and so it is vital you keep |
| That means encouraging visitors to log on and search | | | | your email up to date with the registrar. Notify them |
| the site. Get it wrong and your company name will | | | | immediately if your email address changes. In most |
| be quickly filed in the rejected pile. | | | | cases you can do this within your online account. |
| No matter how seasoned the web user or | | | | Remember, you are not buying the domain name |
| experienced the business person, the simple task of | | | | outright forever. You really own a temporary licence |
| deciding on a domain name and registering the | | | | on that name. You pay for the use of the domain |
| address can be a complicated decision making | | | | name for a fixed period. A .co.uk domain can be |
| process. | | | | purchased for a maximum of 2 years and will be |
| 1. Think Carefully About Your Brand Principles | | | | renewable every 2 years. Others such as .com , .net |
| Before deciding on a snappy name for your new | | | | , .biz etc. can be purchased for up to 10 years at a |
| web property, what do you want your site to say | | | | time. |
| about your business? Are you going to offer | | | | It's very easy to forget to update the registrar with |
| information only, will it be an online catalogue, will you | | | | a new mobile number or your personal email address |
| sell online or do you just want to encourage visitors | | | | so get into the habit of checking your account details |
| to call your office? If you already have a company | | | | with the registrar every once in a while. |
| registered then it makes sense to register a domain | | | | 4. Email Services |
| name in the same name. If you are just setting up in | | | | Now that you have secured your domain names you |
| business try and make sure your domain name | | | | are ready to get your online business up and running. |
| matches your trading name. | | | | To begin with you will need get your email address |
| Whatever you want your web site to do, make sure | | | | set up and then turn your thoughts to getting a |
| the name reflects this as best as possible. A name | | | | website designed. |
| such as Google doesn't say what they do, but | | | | Most domain name registration services do not |
| because their search engine was very good at | | | | include full email. If you want email services with your |
| delivering relevant searches, word spread very | | | | domain name, an additional charge is likely. In most |
| quickly and now the world knows what Google is. In | | | | cases you will only get email forwarding. Even for |
| fact, it's now a term in the dictionary; "To Google"! | | | | straight forward POP3 email, expect only 1 or 2 email |
| So, you can either go for something very obscure | | | | accounts as standard. |
| such as Yakabozi or choose a domain name that | | | | You should make sure you get at least 15-20 POP3 |
| reflects your business. Research your competitors. | | | | email accounts included free of charge with your |
| Have they chosen their company name as their web | | | | domain name registration. Most web hosting |
| address or do they have a generic URL? Is your | | | | companies do not offer free POP3 email accounts |
| company name effective as a web address or is it | | | | either because they offer domain name registration |
| too long? | | | | as an extra service. |
| If your domain name is long then it can make sense | | | | 5. Website Design and Hosting |
| to break the name up using hyphens. For example | | | | To get your online business up and running you will |
| instead of using | | | | need to have your website designed and hosted. |
| drummondleisureandentertainment.co.uk you could | | | | Again the choices are vast and it can be a real |
| havedrummond-leisure-and-entertainment.co.uk which | | | | minefield. Ask around as you'll probably have friends, |
| is easier on the eye. | | | | family or work colleagues with web design |
| You can get help when grappling with this issue by | | | | experiences to share and companies to recommend. |
| keying in your initial ideas as URL searches with your | | | | You can also check to see whether your domain |
| chosen registrar. As well as seeing what's available, | | | | name registration company offers hosting. In most |
| alternatives will be suggested to you, broadening | | | | cases, your web designer will include hosting for your |
| your field of possibilities. | | | | website. If this is the case, you should always ask |
| 2. What kind of Domain Extension? | | | | who they use for their web hosting. Check them out |
| When you have the first part of the address sorted, | | | | on the Internet to see whether you would be happy |
| you need to decide what kind of domain name | | | | trusting them to look after your online business. |
| extension you are going to go for. There are so | | | | You have a few choices in how your website is |
| many possibilities that there's a danger of being | | | | designed. You could have a go yourself using the |
| overwhelmed by choice. | | | | many different website building tools on offer. Again, |
| The main rule of thumb is if your business is just | | | | most companies that offer domain names and |
| aimed at the UK market, then go for .co.uk. If your | | | | hosting also offer a website builder. If you want a |
| business is international and/or aimed at the USA as | | | | more professional looking website you will need to |
| well as the UK then it would be worth going for .com | | | | choose a website design business. A basic website |
| and .co.uk. There are many other variations such as | | | | which just displays information with between 5 and |
| .net , .biz , .info , etc . | | | | 10 pages will cost a few hundred pounds. For a more |
| If your brand is important to your business then it | | | | complex website with an e-commerce database for |
| would certainly be worth registering all the relevant | | | | selling products online, expect to pay anything from a |
| domain extensions. There is nothing worse than | | | | thousand pounds upwards. Like most things in life; |
| someone else registering one of the others, perhaps | | | | you do get what you pay for. As with any job you |
| the .com extension because you were only | | | | outsource, do a little background research and ask to |
| concentrating on the UK market. If at a later time | | | | see previous examples of work done for other |
| you choose to target the US market you might want | | | | clients. |
| to use the .com and this could mean having to pay | | | | This is just a quick 5 step guide to point you in the |
| an inflated price to the original registrant. | | | | right direction. There are so many different options |
| It is not necessary to buy every domain extension | | | | and to be happy in your choice, always make sure |
| but it is definitely a good way to go if you are keen | | | | you take your time and check out any service |
| to protect your brand. | | | | provider thoroughly before committing. That way, |
| 3. Note Down Registrar Details and Renewal Dates | | | | you should avoid many of the pitfalls. |
| After registering the domain, the most important | | | | |