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When a website is created, the files containing the pictures, text, sounds and videos for the website are stored in a folder on a special computer called a “server”. A server is a computer which is always on – with back-ups in place in case of power issues – ready to welcome file requests from other computers all over the world.
When a user types in a URL or domain name – such as www.MyDomainName.com – into their web browser’s address bar, it sends a signal to the server storing the files for the website to be shown on the user’s computer. One of the first decisions you will make in planning and implementing your business internet strategy is to choose a domain name. Here are some things to keep in mind:
- While domain names can end with .com, .net, .us, .org, .info or others, you are generally best off choosing a name available in .com, since that is what people are most likely to type in without thinking.
- If you can get the name of your actual business in a .com, then by all means, grab it. If not, play around with some variations, such as adding the town name or a short, descriptive word.
- If the name of your business has an unusual spelling, also reserve the traditional spelling of the domain name, and have it ‘point’ to your website in case someone spells it ‘wrong’. (Note: you can have as many domain names as you want all ‘pointing’ – or forwarding – to the same website.)
- If there are any words in your domain name which are commonly misspelled, you should also reserve the domain name with the common misspellings. This is so that potential customers are sure to land on your website and not land on a dead end – or worse – a website set up specifically to siphon traffic from you.
- Reserving domain names generally costs about $10 per year, so it is well worth it to reserve any variations that may increase your web traffic – even by just a bit.
- If you are planning to market yourself both locally as well as nationally (perhaps you have a ‘brick and mortar’ store selling specialty items, but you are also planning to take online orders from around the country, it is beneficial to have both a local sounding name – such as www.SallysSouthernSweets.com – as well as a more ‘national brand’ sounding name, such as www.BestCandyMolds.com.
- While your domain name may be quite inexpensive, it is invaluable to your online business identity. Be sure that you are in control of your domain name at all times, that you have the company name, user name and password where your domain name is registered, and that you keep up with renewals. I can’t tell you how many horror stories I have heard because someone was taken in by an unsavory web designer who retained control of their domain name, didn’t pay a domain name renewal fee, or broke up with a business partner who had all the registration information. Incidentally, a web designer will need to know your registration information in order to work on your website, so there is nothing inherently wrong with sharing this information with someone working for you. However, you should register your domain names yourself, and keep a record of the information involved in the registration.
In order to register a domain name – or several names, if that would best serve you – the easiest and least expensive way is to go to www.GoDaddy.com. You will see a box to enter in the prospective domain name for your business, and they will instantly tell you if the name is available or not. Once you have made all of your selections in this way, you will proceed to ‘checkout’. Be sure to write down the user name and account number you are assigned; your web designer will need that information in order to make your domain name ‘point’ to your website files on the internet. |
