As your domain name is the name and address by which you're known online, it's the basis of your online identity. So it's important to create the right domain name for your business. First we'll look at how to choose the right domain name for your business from various companies who offer domain name registration in the UK.
Your domain name must be unique. Other than that, you have a lot of leeway in your choice. When you go onto any domain registration website, it would prompt you with a choice of similar possible web domain registration options. It can be anything between 2 and 67 characters long. Only alphanumeric characters and hyphens are allowed. Hyphens are not allowed at the beginning or end. You can use upper or lowercase characters, but it's best to stick to lower case. If you were to choose longer domain names, sometimes you would be able to buy them from cheap domain registration companies, or if you were to buy a complete web hosting package, the domain registration company could offer you free domain registration.
Next you have to choose a top level domain (TLD) which is the extension at the end your domain name. Your options are .com, .net, .org, .info, .biz, .ws, and country-specific ones such as .uk. Most experts recommend going for .com or your country specific extension.
So what makes an effective domain name? Firstly it shouldn't be too long as you want your customers to remember it easily. There's less chance of someone making a mistake when typing it into a browser. If your company name is well known, you could incorporate that into your domain name. However, the trend nowadays is to base domain names on keywords relating to your product or service. This is a key component of search engine optimisation and search engine marketing.
After choosing your domain name you need to check if it is an available domain registration offered by any web hosting company. Many domain registration companies offer this service free of charge on their web sites, where you can get sometimes also find free domain registration. You simply enter your chosen name and it will search the domain registration databases and tell you if that name has been taken. If so, you can tweak it and check the new version for availability. Cheap domain registration is available by companies that include their company name in the URL, at times; it is possible to get them free from free domain registration companies. Domain hosting registration is a simple process, this can be done within minutes on any domain registration website and you could be online within minutes. Domain name registration in the UK has just recently started to take off, so there would be a lot of companies offering cheap domain registration and also free domain registration as promotional offers. This generally involves filling out a simple form on their web site and entering payment details. Costs range from $8 per annum and up depending on the TLD. You can also register for longer periods such as five years.
Domain registration is straightforward procedure but one that requires a lot of care. Fortunately, many firms exist to help you with the process. Some firms offer free domain registration but this is usually part of a domain hosting registration package. For domain name registration in the UK, there are many cheap domain registration firms around but look for one with a good track record. Your web hosting company and some web design companies offer domain registration services. The best deal of all can often be to entrust all your web site needs to one online marketing agency.
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Frequently Asked Questions
How to increase traffic to a parked domain?
By: gwsizemore | 15-08-2008
How do I increase traffic to a parked domain? SEO optimization has been done, but I am interested in getting more productive click thru's? Can anyone help? (Don't want to violate any "terms of agreement")
Domin ottoman wanted
By: Annaedp | 15-08-2008
I bought a chair form domian home furnishings and neglected to buy the matching ottoman. Shame on me!! Now i want it!! Any clue how to get it??
How can I register my business name in Ireland via ...
By: Lalikovaiva | 02-08-2008
How can I register my business name in Ireland via Internet?
Is it necessary that 'registered domain name' and ...
By: naim | 17-07-2008
Is it necessary that 'registered domain name' and 'hosting accounts created domain name' need to be same?
What is difference between multiple collision ...
By: subru | 15-07-2008
what is difference between multiple collision domain & multiple broad cast domain
Why is @wild4music.com always "temporarily unavailable"?
By: jas8989 | 13-06-2008
I have been trying on and off for the past 4 months to set up an AOL account for a music venue I work with. They want to be able to use the domain name of @wild4music.com which is available through AOL, but every time I try to set up the account at: http://domains.aol.com/start.jsp, it always comes back saying "The service that you are trying to reach is temporarily unavailable. Please try again later." Why is this never working? How is one suppose to sign up for those much touted domain names???
Q&A Powered by:
Latest Domain Names Articles
Good Domain Name - How to Select One for Your Business
By: Arpit Agarwal | 05/10/2008
Choosing the domain name is absolutely important, because the ultimate success of a business will completely rely on the domain name you choose. Domain names are generally found with quite several extensions including .com, .in, .biz, .net, .org and several other more.
Tips To Grab Expired Domains Through Back Ordering Process- Part I
By: John Khu | 03/10/2008
As a domain trader, you may wish to focus on buying good domain names at most economical process by using the domain dropping process. Once you learn the process of domain name dropping and its subsequent buying process, you can easily start accumulating good expired domains.
The Wonderful World Of Domain Flipping-Flipping Expired Domains To Your Advantage
By: John Khu | 29/09/2008
Domain flipping is an exciting and a promising technique of making your expired domain a successful money earner, as well as a stable income generator. There is lot to learn from domain flipping and its wonderful principles.
Domain Names And How They Relate To Search Engine Ranking
By: Joseph Nyamache | 27/09/2008
Have you ever thought as to whether your search engine optimization and results affected by the length of your website's domain name registration?
Can Cyber Squatters Really Be Stopped?
By: Joseph Nyamache | 26/09/2008
No webmaster should get cyber squatters to capitalize or harass you be taking advantage of other extensions of your domain names, read on to find out.
Money Making Secrets from Expired Domain Names
By: John Khu | 24/09/2008
Once you have registered an expired domain of your choice, you will be ready now to devise and plan ways for making money with the expired domain. You can use a number of monetizing methods to make money from your expired domain names.
Understanding the Ultimate Power of Pay per Click Campaign to Create Expired-Domain Fortunes
By: John Khu | 23/09/2008
A PPC campaign is a well conceived program that helps you earn small income, apart from guiding a constant stream of expired domain traffic to your expired domain.
Key Tips Regarding Domain Name Registration
By: Anand Maheshwari | 22/09/2008
The domain name registration is not that a lengthy process. Just as you prefer your child to have sensible name that reflects your belief and hope for her future, your website too needs carefully selected domain name before you proceed for domain name registration.
More from Andy Lomax
Choosing the Right Website Design Company for your Business
By: Andy Lomax | 26/09/2007 | ECommerce
The effectiveness of your website is critical to your business success so you really need a professional design company to get it up and running and keep on track in the future. But how do you go about finding the right company?
Website Design for Ecommerce: the Three Things you Must Get Right
By: Andy Lomax | 26/09/2007 | ECommerce
Your ecommerce website is the interface with which you deal with your customers so it's vital that you get it right. Success in web design for ecommerce hinges on three factors - design, usability and search engine optimization.
Search Engine Optimisation - Key Facts you Need to Know
By: Andy Lomax | 26/09/2007 | SEO
Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) is a very hot topic nowadays and one laced with misinformation. With all the talk Google slaps and dances, it seems to have taken on the aspect of some black art. Here are the key facts you need to know about SEO.
Your Guide to Getting the Right Logo Design
By: Andy Lomax | 14/09/2007 | ECommerce
To stand out in today's crowded marketplace, you need to make an immediate and memorable impact on the consumer. Effective logo design can help you stand out in the consumer's mind and result in loyalty.
Online Marketing Agencies: the Key to Web Site Success
By: Andy Lomax | 14/09/2007 | Affiliate Programs
Establishing an effective online presence is a complex undertaking requiring the application of a broad array of disciplines. it's a good idea to entrust the whole project to an online marketing agency who can take it from conception to finalisation.
Web Design Companies - How to Choose the Right One for your Business
By: Andy Lomax | 13/09/2007 | ECommerce
If you want a website that offers a total solution for your ecommerce needs, you need to find the right web design company. Here are some guidelines you can use to find the right firm for your business.
How Graphic Design Can Help your Business
By: Andy Lomax | 13/09/2007 | Customer Service
Perhaps you think that graphic design studios is just about drawing logo’s for you stationary such as business cards, letterhead, brochure design, and adverts. If so, think again. Effective graphic designers are a key tool in presenting your business to the world and communicating what your company's all about.
Branding - the Way to Customer Loyalty
By: Andy Lomax | 12/09/2007 | ECommerce
The only way to stand out in an overcrowded marketplace is to develop a USP or unique selling proposition. Corporate branding is one effective way to do this. An effective brand differentiates your business, builds awareness and trust, and assures the market of your quality.