What To Look For While Searching For A Domain Name

One of the most important parts of starting your own website is picking the right domain name. The URL and email addresses you use say a lot about your website and your business or other venture, after all; they're what sets them apart from others, what tells people who you are and what you stand for. You also need to make sure that you pick something that visitors will be able to type in from memory - something that will stick in their heads, and that they'll find easy to track down and recognise.

For more information about how to pick and acquire the right domain name for your website, just read on.

ICANN Accreditation

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers - otherwise known as ICANN - is the accrediting body for most domain registrations websites. It's a not for profit organisation, and it operates internationally - meaning that it oversees fair use of domains throughout the entirety of the world wide web. Before you purchase a domain, make sure that the site you're buying it through has been ICANN certified.

Perks Included With Your Fee

It's worth bearing in mind that you might end up needing to pay a little more than the advertised fee for the right domain name - be that for various fees imposed by your domain registrar or by ICANN itself. Make sure you read up on these before you commit to put down any money. They shouldn't be more than a few cents, usually, however.

Domain Name Transfer Policies

It's important that you're able to take your domain name with you if you need to change providers, so you should check up on that before you sign on the dotted line. For you to be able to do that, you'll need to be the sole owner of the domain name - so check that out before you commit. Doing this will also ensure that you are the sole owner of the domain, and as such enable you to exert all the control over it that you'd like to - something that's important for anyone who is trying to build up a useful and reputable business or other enterprise.

Consider Top-Level Domains Carefully

There are literally thousands of different top level domains, and the most common - things like .com, .co.uk and .net - are likely to be very familiar to you already. Others, like .edu or .gov, are restricted and can only bne used by certain kinds of organisations. Whatever you choose, make sure that you put some thought into how to use them properly and make sure you pick one that people will be able to trust and remember.

Remember That Some Web Hosts Offer Good Deals On Domains

You don't necessarily need to register your domain separately to buying your web hosting package - many web hosting providers offer good deals on both. Just be careful to examine the terms and conditions of the deal properly before you commit, to make sure that you really will be the sole and outright owner.