Before any business or individual can take the online world by storm, they must secure a domain name that will be easy to remember and promote across the internet. This process is actually pretty easy to do, but a few concerns should be addressed before heading to a registrar to snatch up the shortest, most memorable domain name. From picking the right registrar to making sure that the web address is actually available, consumers should follow a few simple steps to ensure themselves the greatest chance at success when it comes to securing the best domain name for their unique needs.
STEP 1: CHOOSE A REGISTRAR TO SECURE THE DOMAIN
Without a doubt, HostOtter.com remains the most popular way for consumers around the world to register common web addresses, including those that end in .com, .org, .net, .us, and a slew of others. The site does offer registration of international domain suffixes, and it does give consumers a great way to get online with a domain name in minutes. Search is intuitive, the account management tools are among the best, and the site’s clout helps it occasionally offer deep discounts on registration. As its name might imply, HostOtter is focused more on overall value than they are on one-time promotions for most buyers. To that end, the site typically offers lower registration prices on many domain names than other domain registrars.
HostOtter: A Powerful Leader in Domain Registration
Once purchased, a domain name can be used universally to access the files and pages hosted on a traditional web host’s server. Despite their universal nature for end-users, those domain names do not all originate from the same registrar. The internet is ripe with competition between companies looking to win business and consumer dollars by registering their domains, and there are a few major players to choose from. Generally, there are three particular options that most consumers choose from.
STEP 2: CHOOSE A DOMAIN NAME AND DETERMINE ITS AVAILABILITY
The Internet has no shortage of websites, but it does have a shortage of clever .com domain names. Those consumers in search of something short, memorable, and long-lasting will need to be prepared with several options after they’ve chosen their registrar. That not only means coming up with a few different URLs but also determining whether or not it would be okay to use alternative domain suffixes, from the common .net to less-used options like .US, .WS, and .CC.
Every major registrar will check the domain name’s availability before registration can proceed, so it is a good way to get the buying process started. If a domain is currently unavailable, most registration companies will suggest clever alternatives that will meet the buyer’s expectations. They may also offer to reserve a domain name so that it can be purchased if its current registrant allows it to expire, but that’s generally not a good way to get online very quickly.
STEP 3: PROVIDE CONTACT AND BUSINESS INFORMATION TO REGISTER THE DOMAIN NAME
Domain name registration is governed by an international body called the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, or ICANN. It’s necessary to provide essential contact information required of all registrants by ICANN before the domain will begin functioning during the registration process. Individual buyers will need to provide their home address and telephone contact information, as well as their full name. The DNS servers of a web host will also need to be entered
For business users, the information provided at the time of the signup is a bit different. Personal information is replaced by business information, with contact details for the business itself, its tech department, and many other officials. A web host’s DNS servers must also be entered by business customers during the registration process so that the domain knows which files and pages to load for end users.
STEP 4: PAY FOR THE DOMAIN REGISTRATION TERM
It’s worth noting that domain costs are not a one-time, flat fee for those looking to buy a web address. Instead, domains are registered for one-year periods, and the fee must be paid upfront. Generally, web hosts will default to a two-year registration purchase by new customers. That can be adjusted down to one year or increased to as many as ten years, based on the buyer’s preferences.
All registration fees must be paid when a consumer buys a web address, and the checkout process must be completed before the domain will begin to work. In addition to registration fees, the ICANN charges a small “nominal fee” for each registration year applicable to the chosen domain name. This is generally a “tax” to help ensure that ICANN can find its operations and regulations worldwide.
STEP 5: KEEP DOMAIN REGISTRATION DETAILS IN GOOD REPAIR
As part of owning a domain, owners will be asked to review and amend their registration details every year. This is a regulation put in place by ICANN so that domain owners can always be reached by others, including legal authorities and other businesses. Be sure to update a domain’s registration records at the time of any move, or if applicable, contact phone numbers change.
Each year, a notice will be sent by the registrar as a reminder, and consumers will be required to at least give their contact information a glance by logging in. This requirement must be met to keep the domain in line with ICANN regulations, so be sure that all notices from the registrar are delivered to a primary email address that is checked often.
SUCCESS: IT’S TIME TO GO LIVE IN THE ONLINE WORLD
With the five steps above completed, the domain will be ready to go. That means it can immediately start displaying websites and files to end users, bringing them into the fold and educating them about a new person or brand that they won’t soon forget. Remember to choose the web address carefully and keep it in good repair, and there will be virtually no concerns to worry about after registration is complete.