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Dealing with Domain Names

Although domain names don't cost very much to own, they're often the most valuable part of your website: The domain name is your web address - it's where people can find you on the web. If it changes, people who once knew where you were may have difficulty finding you!

Obviously, only one person can own a particular domain name at a time so when you pay to register ownership nobody else will be able to register the same name at the same time - which is good! You register the name for a fixed period of time, usually a year or two, then just before your registration expires you will need to pay to renew your registration. If you fail to do so, you could lose ownership and somebody else could pick up your domain name, effectively replacing your website with theirs and potentially steeling all your visitors: You'd then realise how valuable your domain name was! Most registrars will send you reminders in good time or even update your registration automattically to minimise the risk of losing your name.

When you consider the low cost of registering a domain name and the potentially huge value, it shouldn't be surprising that the simple, catchy Domain Mame you'd like to have has almost certainly been taken already! Unless you can afford to buy out the current owner, you'll have to think of something else... and something else... and so on.... until... eventually... !

How to choose a Domain Name

Here are some tips on choosing good domain names:

Choose the right name

With so many domain names already taken, you may feel like your choice is extremely limited but it's very important that the name you choose is one you're sure you'll want to stick with: As your website is promoted, your domain name becomes an essential contact between your visitors and you: some companies even use their domain name as their brand name or company name!

Choose a name that's memorable and appropriate to the theme of your website, business or organisation. If it isn't available, think about ways of extending the name. Some registrars offer suggestions such as yourcompany-online.something but these automated suggestions are rarely of value.

Try and keep your domain name short and easy to spell as people will have to type it in and the slightest typing error will result in a visitor getting lost!

Avoid the use of minus '-' and underline '_' characters. They are valid but they make it difficult for people to communicate your web address to others.

What words might somebody search for in order to find your website? If your domain name consists of those words (with spaces removed) or a special word or name, you're likely to do well in search listings: your website will probably be placed nearer the top of the results because the words are not only appropriate to your website but are actually your web address!

Choose the right TLD

TLD stands for Top Level Domain. You will have noticed the .com .info or .org common endings on domain names: These are standard TLDs. Some TLDs, icluding those already mentioned, are popular and available world-wide. Others are country-specific such as .uk so in the United Kingdom it's common to see websites ending in .co.uk and .org.uk where as other countries have their own common endings. Some country-specific endings are used for different purposes: for example, .tv may look like it's for television related sites but it's really the country code for Tuvalu. Each country can stipulate who can use its TLD and how it can be used.

If your desired domain name .com is already taken, you may wish to try some of the other TLDs but check out the rules and prices as they can vary immensely. Also note what country the TLD belomgs to and ask yourself if a perceived association with that country would be appropriate for your website: are there any ethical issues? On the whole, try to use a YLDs for countries where your visitors live, or where your focus is. If you are truly world wide, don't choose a country-specific TLD.

for a list of TLDs.
Sometimes you will find TLDs on offer that are not in this list. Often a country code such as uk is followed by a generic ending such as .com. These are third-level domains lacking the contractual obligations of standard domain names. We do not recommend them.

Choose the right registrar

Different registrars support different TLDs so you will need to find an appropriate registrar if you venture away from the common generic TLDs. Try registrars local to the particular country you're interested in: To the local registrars your desired domain name is common rather than a speciality - and that's reflected in their price!

Compare a number of prices: you'll be amazed how varied domain name prices are, even when comparing the same TLD!

Make sure your domain name supplier registers you as the owner of the domain name rather than themselves: For various reasons some companies register your domain name as theirs on your behalf. This could be problematic if there is a problem between the company registering your domain name and the main registrar, or between the company and you! - who owns the site?!

It's useful and practically essential that you have automated control of your domain name. Usually you will have the ability to change your DNS settings at any time (explained below). Doing so via a utility on a website is the quickest and most useful way. You may find that other free features are supplied with your domain name but by far the most important feature is the ability to change the DNS settings.

Make sure there are no transfer fees if you choose to move your domain name to a different web service provider in the future.

Bart Hosting offers domain names at the following yearly prices (US dollars):

.co.uk .org.uk $ 8

.com .org .net .info .biz .us .eu $16

.me $24
.tv $48
.de .ca $20
then type in the domain you're interested in.

How to point your Domain Name to your Webspace

DNS (domain anme service) settings

Your web pages are stored on a computer called a server. A visitor who wants to access your website will type your domain name into their web browser. Their computer will then locate your domain name on a name server which will provide an (A) record. This record provides the right IP address which is a unique reference to your server and hence your web pages.

Once you have obtained your domain name and your webspace you will need to connect the two. This can be done in a few different ways:

Changing your (A) records

Normally you would visit the website of the company who provided your domain name and log in to your account. Find an option to edit DNS settings. Select to change the (A) record or IP address for your website. Provide the four digits of the IP address provided by your hosting company.

You may be given an idea of when the change will occur. Normally it will happen very quickly. You may have to clear your browser history (cache) to get the page to load from the new IP address: Check out the Tools / Internet Options in your web browser.

Changing the Name Server

If your hosting company does not provide an IP address they may require you to user their own name servers. It can take quite a while (normally up to 3 days) for a change of name server to occur and during that time you might find that some visitors can see your new website while others can't.

Your hosting company will provide you with the web addresses of two or more name servers. You will need to log in to your domain name account and select to change name servers. Make sure you type in the addresses of the new name servers carefully!

If you have email at your domain name, it will also be affected by the change of name server. Your name server holds the (MX) records that point to your mail exchange so you may also have to modify these records.

Redirection

With some other free hosting companies, your web address is an extension of the company's domain name and they provide no way of letting you use your own. In such circumstances you can redirect your domain name: Visitors to your domain name will be forwarded to the more clumsy and complicated address of your website. The forwarding can appear confusing and unprofessional - and it can slow down access to your web pages so this method should be avoided where possible.

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