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Domain Name | Everything You Should Consider Before Buying

In general, setting up your own new Domain Name is actually a relatively quick and easy process. But, the hardest part is deciding on the actual name. Especially, as so many domain names have already been taken. So, your first step is to get brainstorming – type some keywords into a domain generator. Then again, share your ideas with friends and family.

Henceforth, you can make a firm decision on your suitable name. And once you’ve registered it, you are ready to start creating your website. With this in mind, are you thinking of setting up your own website or starting a blog but feeling a bit daunted by the prospect? For those new to web design, there is a lot to learn and think about – but don’t worry!

In this article, we’ll cover the first step of any web project – the domain name. Read on to find out exactly what it is and gain an in-depth look at how they work. we will explain technical terms like IP addresses, the Domain Name System (DNS), and top-level domains (TLDs).

In addition, we will then share some top tips on how to choose a domain name, where to purchase one, what you can expect to pay, and much much more. So, Are you ready to get started?

What Is A Domain Name?

Quite simply, a Domain Name is the address of your website. It is the name that people type into the URL bar of their browser to find your website. In short, it’s your website name or the address where Internet users can access your website. It’s used to find and identify computers on the Internet. Domain names can be purchased through a domain registrar or through your hosting provider.

Domain Name Value

They are also often provided for free by hosting companies or website builders. Domain names are crucial, as they enable computers to find the server where your website is hosted. Website files can then be retrieved from that server, allowing users to access your site on their browsers.

But, to fully understand this process, you first need an understanding of what an IP address is, and how the Domain Name System enables computers to translate domain names into IP addresses.

What Is An IP Address?

To enumerate, computers use IP addresses, which are a series of numbers. However, it is difficult for humans to remember strings of numbers. Because of this, domain names were developed and used to identify entities on the Internet rather than using IP addresses. An IP address looks something a bit like this 41.80.95.192

For example, the domain name for the Web Tech Experts Website is https://josephmuciraexclusives.com. And in that case, a domain name is unique to every website (just like a fingerprint), and cannot be shared between different websites. However, remembering strings of numbers is impossible for most humans, which is where domain names come into play.

Instead of having to type in an IP address, when someone wants to open a website they simply type the domain name into their browser. The Domain Name System then transfers this domain name into an IP address, which is the server address that hosts the website. The server can then quickly be contacted, and the website served to the user.

What Is The DNS?

Domain names are part of a much larger network called the Domain Name System (DNS). The DNS is managed by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). This non-profit organization is responsible for the on-going maintenance and management of the DNS, creating policies, and regulating domain registrars.

The DNS is a large network of servers that are located across the globe. These servers contain a distributed database of IP addresses and act as an address book, transferring domain names into IP addresses. Servers can then be located, and websites requested and served to browsers.

How The DNS Works

When a domain name is typed into your browser, in the first instance the computer will check its cache to see if it has previously requested that domain. If not, it will then contact the local DNS server (usually provided by the internet service provider (ISP)).

Again, if there are no records of this in the ISP cache, then the computer will next need to locate the name servers associated with that domain. And to do so, the local DNS server will break it into sections. For example, www.josephmuciraexclusives.com would be broken down into .com, josephmuciraexclusives, and www.

The .com section, known as a top-level domain (TLD), will be investigated first – the local DNS server will connect to a root name server to find out which server holds the domain information for this TLD. Once known, it will then contact this next server to find out which name server holds details on the second part (josephmuciraexclusives).

The Website Host Solutions Provider Role

The name servers are managed by your website’s hosting provider. They contain the DNS records of given domains and map domain names to IP addresses. Once the computer has located the name servers for your website, your hosting company will forward the request to the computer where your website is hosted.

The web page is then sent to the browser that initially put out the request. Although simplified, the above should give you an idea of how the DNS works. Let’s next find out about the different types of domain name extensions that are available…

All domain names are made up of a website name (ie – josephmuciraexclusives) and a top-level domain (ie – .com). Domain name extensions vary greatly, and it is useful to understand the different types of top-level domains that are available so you purchase the right one for your project.

Top-level domain options include;
  1. Generic Top-Level Domains (gTLDs)
  2. Sponsored Top-Level Domains (sTLDs)
  3. Country Code Top-Level Domains (ccTLDs)

The DNS is a hierarchical system, and there are also further levels of domain extensions, including second and third-level domains, which you can incorporate in your domain.

1. Generic Top-Level Domains (gTLDs)

The best practice is to use a reputable TLD like .com, .org, or .net in your domain name. However, due to the sheer number of domain names that have been registered to date, it may be hard to find an appropriate name with one of these extensions. If this is the case, then you could look to use a different, lesser-known, TLD.

Sample generic TLDs:
  1. .com (commercial)
  2. .org (organizational)
  3. .net (network)
  4. .biz (business)
  5. .info (information)

The list of TLDs is extensive and can be found on the IANA (Internet Assigned Numbers Authority) website. (The IANA manages all TLDs).

2. Sponsored Top-Level Domains (rTLDs)

There is a selection of top-level domains that are sponsored by agencies or organizations for a specific use.

These top-level domains include;
  1. .gov (used by government authorities)
  2. .int (used by international organizations)
  3. .mil (limited to military entities only)
  4. .edu (for use by educational institutions)

If your organization falls under one of the sponsored TLD categories, then you may need to apply to use the appropriate domain extension.

3. Country Code Top-Level Domains

The country code TLDs are reserved for individual countries and end with the country’s two-letter ISO code.

Some examples:
  1. .us (United States)
  2. .ke (Kenya)
  3. .uk (United Kingdom)
  4. .ca (Canada)
  5. .de (Germany)
  6. . fr (France)
  7. .cn (China)
  8. .br (Brazil)

If your business and target audience are based in a specific country, then it is advised to use the relevant country code TLD.

Are There Other Domain Name Types?

Yes! Of course, there are a couple of other domain types that are worth mentioning.

  • Second-Level Domains – A second-level domain sits directly below a TLD in the DNS hierarchical system. These are often used with country-code TLDs, for example – .co.uk, gov. uk, or ac. uk.
  • Subdomains – A subdomain (also known as a third-level domain) is an extra part of a domain name. Subdomains are viewed as separate websites by the search engines, so, amongst other reasons, creating subdomains can help improve your site’s SEO.

An excellent example of when to use a subdomain is if you want to keep your blog separate from your website. In that case, your subdomain for your website ) might look like this ). So, now you know about the available domain extensions. Next, let’s look at how to choose a domain name for your website below.

How To Choose A Suitable Domain Name For Your Website

Getting your domain name right is essential. Not only does it help to define your brand, but it is also the first, and probably the lasting, impression your audience has of your website. Therefore, it must make an impact and help subtly promote your business.

Deciding on your perfect domain name, that reflects your business, is easy for your target audience to remember, and is still available to purchase, isn’t an easy process. However, to be successful, there are some top tips on choosing the right one for your website.

1. Do some market research

Check out other websites with the same domain name but a different extension. If there is a very popular website using runclub.net, and you register runclub.org, then you may find it hard to rank your content in the search engines, as well as lose visitors to this rival website.

2. Think long term success

Although, of course, you can change your site’s domain name at any time, it may dramatically affect your SEO and visitor numbers. Therefore, you will want to try and choose a domain name that will work long-term.

3. Use unique keywords

Using the name of your business, or other keywords you want your site to rank for, in your domain name is recommended. This can help significantly improve your site’s SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and ranking.

4. Short and memorable

Your domain name needs to be unique and stand out from the crowd. A short and snappy domain name will be accessible for your audience to recall – try and use a maximum of three words.

5. Make it easy to spell

Shy away from words with multiple spellings, or other longer words that your audience may find tricky to spell. Otherwise, your visitors may be unable to find your website because they can’t spell your domain name.

6. No numbers and hyphens

Again, you want to make your domain name as easy to remember and type as possible. Adding numbers and hyphens can add extra confusion (e.g., is number two spelled 2 or two? And where does the dash go again?!).

7. Use the right extensions

As discussed earlier, choosing the right domain extension is essential. For most websites, the ideal TLD is always .com. However, if you have created a country or community/organization-specific website, you may want to look at a sponsored or country-code TLD. Also, don’t worry if you are struggling to come up with domain name ideas. There are several valuable tools to help with this…

How To Use A Domain Name Generator

Due to the sheer number of domain names that have already been registered, it is often the case that your ideal name has been long taken. Instead of spending days and days brainstorming new names, you should consider using a domain name generator. Bearing in mind that there are many domain name generators available. They take a keyword from you and turn it into thousands of relevant suggestions.

Some domain name generators:
  • Lean Domain Search – Brought to you by Automatic, Lean Domain Search will help you find domain names by pairing your search phrase with other common and relevant keywords. It also shows you which ones are available to register.
  • Domain Hole – This domain name generator allows you to search, find, and buy new and expired domains. It comes jam-packed with various domain name tools, including a name spinner, a brainstormer, and a complete availability checker.
  • Name Mesh – With over six million words in the Name Mesh library, this name generator can find the right domain name for you. Simply enter your keyword, and Name Mesh will provide a range of suggestions, as well as check the availability for the most common TLDs.

For more information on domain name generators, check out this article on 9 Best Blog and Domain Name Generators.

How Much Does a Domain Name Cost?

Once you have decided on an appropriate domain name for your website, you will need to buy it. But how much will it cost and where should you buy it from? First, Domain Names vary in price dramatically. Some literally cost millions, yet some you can get for free. However, on average, a regular domain name costs around $10-15 a year.

As an example, GoDaddy recently published a list of the most expensive domain names that have been publicly reported.

Here are just a few of them;
  1. CarInsurance.com – $49.7 million
  2. VacationRentals.com – $35 million
  3. Voice.com – $30 million
  4. Insure.com – $16 million
  5. Hotels.com – $11 million

You can also read and learn more from the list of the oldest .com domains. As you can see, these popular domain names sell for big money. But let’s also check out the other end of the spectrum – how do you get a free domain name?

How To Get Free Domain Names

A number of hosting companies provide free domain names if you sign up for one of their hosting packages. This freebie usually lasts for the first year or the initial term of the hosting package. For instance, if you sign up for a three-year hosting deal, the domain name will be free for those first three years. Once the term has elapsed, you must rebuy the domain name at the hosting providers’ prices.

Some are:
  • Bluehost – This popular hosting provider offers a free domain name for the first year if you sign up for an initial term of 36 months.
  • Hostinger – A budget host, Hostinger offers a free domain to anyone who signs up for one of their Premium or Business hosting plans.
  • DreamHost – Qualify for a free one-year domain name with DreamHost by signing up for one of their annual hosting packages (Starter plan not included).
  • GoDaddy – Another popular hosting company, GoDaddy, offers a free domain with all their plans. Sign up on a 12, 24, or 36-month contract. The domain will remain free for the entire length of the selected package.

If you choose to create your website with an all-in-one website builder solution, like WordPress, Wix, or Squarespace, then you will find that these platforms allow users to create as many free subdomains as they want. For example, a subdomain with Wix will look something like this ‘mysite.wix.com.’

Although this is a good option when starting, if you want your business to appear professional, you must purchase an actual domain name down the line. If your hosting plan doesn’t include a free domain name, you must purchase a domain name. As mentioned, the average cost of a domain name is between $10-15 a year. However, the price of domain names does vary depending on several factors.

These include:
  • Popularity – If you have chosen a famous domain name phrase, it may have already been purchased to be resold at an inflated price. Therefore, you’ll need to decide if this domain name is worth the money.
  • Domain Extension – Generally, the more reputable domain extensions (.com, .net, .org) will cost more than newer TLDs (.me, .be, .club).
  • Domain Registrar – The prices of domain names differ depending on the domain registrar. Often, if you purchase your domain name directly through your website builder or hosting provider, you will pay more. More than if you were to buy from a third-party registrar.
  • Length of Term – Some domain registrars will charge less if you register a domain for a longer term (e.g., 24 or 36 months).

So now you know roughly what you can expect to pay for a domain name. So where can you buy one? Eventually, they can be purchased from numerous third-party domain registrars, as well as through many hosting providers. All domain providers are registered through ICANN, helping to ensure reputability.

The main differences between the registrars are the services they offer alongside the domain names—email and WhoIs protection. There are a few domain registrars that we would recommend, such as follows;

1. Domain.com

Choose from the most popular TLDs or over 25 country code TLDs. All Domain.com purchases come with a free Let’s Encrypt SSL certificate, domain ‘transfer lock’ protection, and control over DNS management.

2. Name Cheap

This popular domain registrar already manages over 10 million domains worldwide. All domain names purchased on Name Cheap come with a free WHOIS guard, two months of email, 24/7 support, and more. And for those on a budget, there is also a range of cheap TLDs.

3. GoDaddy

As well as a well-known hosting provider, GoDaddy is the world’s largest domain registrar, managing over 78 million domains across the globe. Purchase a .co.uk domain for as little as $0.99 or a .com or .net domain starting at just $12.17.

4. Google Domains

You won’t find discount prices at Google Domains, but if you are looking to quickly and easily register a new domain, this may be your registrar.

5. Hover.com

Offering hundreds of domain extensions and quick integrations with a wide assortment of services and apps, the impressive Hover.com user experience will enable you to quickly register a domain and get started on your new website. Most hosting companies like Hostgator and other EIG brands will encourage you to purchase a domain name directly with them.

Although you don’t have to, this is definitely the simplest way to set up your site’s domain. You may find a cheaper domain name with a third-party domain registrar. You can purchase the domain name through them if this is the case. However, you will then need to point the domain at your hosting server, a process that can be a little bit technical.

What Else Should You Consider?

Once you have found a domain registrar and domain name that works for your project, you are nearly ready to make a purchase. Before you do, here are a few other points to consider;

(a) Set for an Auto-Renewal

When you purchase a domain name, you can usually select the length of the term (generally 12 or 24 months). As the time comes to an end, your domain registrar will usually send you a number of emails reminding you to renew the domain name. However, if you fail to do so, you will not only lose it but as anyone can then buy it, it may be snapped up by someone else. Therefore, setting your domain to auto-renew gives you peace of mind that it will stay indefinitely registered.

(b) Consider the Privacy Measures

When you register, your details will be kept on the WHOIS register and can be viewed by anyone. So paying extra for domain privacy, so the public can’t access your information, is recommended. However, some domain registrars include this service in the domain name purchase price.

(c) Consider buying up other Extensions

Depending on your budget, you may also want to buy up the other main TLDs. For example, if your new one is getblogging.com, you should also consider purchasing getblogging.org, getblogging.net, getblogging.co.uk, etc. This will prevent you from losing visitors who mistype your site’s TLD. As well as prevent competitors from setting up similar sites and hijacking your traffic.

(b) You can also buy your Domain Misspellings 

If there are some apparent misspellings, it may be worth purchasing these. The misspelled domains can be redirected to your website, ensuring you don’t lose traffic due to visitors’ spelling mistakes! Get Started Today: Buy Domain Names – Search & Registration | Domain.com. You can also read and learn more about Domain Name Value | How do you Calculate your Worth? But if you require additional support or help, please Consult Us or share your thoughts in the comments section.

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