Discussion of Domains - What's in a Name?

Volume III, Issue 6
ISSN: 1547-7754
November 2005
printable version

Chris King, Editor
By subscription only, this monthly e-newsletter is loaded with short, "down and dirty" tips to help you with solving the everchanging and growing puzzle of the Internet. This e-zine serves as a place to ask your questions and find the answers. So, send me your burning questions.

I have discovered that even though domain names have been around since the beginning of interaction on the Internet, there is still a great deal of confusion surrounding them. How do I pick the right one? Can I have more than one? Where do I find out if the name I want is available? How much do they cost? These are a few of the questions I will answer in this issue of the Internet Tips E-Zine.

TIP #1. Pick a domain name that has the following attributes:

It relates to your name, your company name, or your product. If you are a solo-preneur, your name is a good choice. What if www.JohnSmith.com is already taken? Some suggest ww.TheJohnSmith.com. I also think that using .info or .biz or even .net will work.
My company name has been Creative Keys since 1992, so when I purchased my first domain name in 1999 and found that www.CreativeKeys.com was already taken, I chose the .net ending and since then have registered the .biz ending for my business site. I don’t feel that it has hurt me in any way. If anything, it separates me from the norm.
Use your website’s title, topic, product and/or keywords. For example, a successful marketing site is www.actionplan.com (it is Robert Middleton’s Action Plan Marketing site). I have www.storytellingpower.com; www.freelanceliving.com and www.powerfulpresentations.net - all self explanatory.
Don’t be too cute, clever, or obtuse. It will either rob you of credibility or confuse surfers.
Misspelled names. Now that domain names are so reasonably priced (see TIP #3), I know some top website gurus who suggest buying several variations of the spelling of your name or topic and then pointing them to the correctly spelled website. For example, Fred Gleeck also spells his name Gleek, because a lot of people forget the “c.”.

TIP #2. It is a good idea to know what ICANN is in order to understand the whole management and reasons for domain names.

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) is responsible for managing and coordinating the Domain Name System (DNS) to ensure that every address is unique and that all users of the Internet can find all valid addresses. It does this by overseeing the distribution of unique IP addresses and domain names.
It also ensures that each domain name maps to the correct IP address.
ICANN is also responsible for accrediting the domain name registrars. "Accredit" means to identify and set minimum standards for the performance of registration functions, to recognize persons or entities meeting those standards, and to enter into an accreditation agreement that sets forth the rules and procedures applicable to the provision of Registrar Services.
To find out all about ICANN go to http://www.icann.org/faq/#WhatisICANN. (Note: I would never register a name with a non-accredited registrar.)

TIP #3. Once you have picked a name, you need to first make sure it is available, and then register for it. Below are the steps:

I suggest going to my favorite and accredited registrar at www.godaddy.com (Note: I do not receive any commission from them for recommending them. I have just found them to be great to work with). There is a box where you can input your choice(s).
If the name is available, you can follow through by ordering it. Back in 1999, domain names cost $35 per year. Now, at GoDaddy, they range from $6.95 to $9.95 a year. Caveat: don’t order all of the extras that they offer. In my opinion, they are not necessary.
If the name isn’t available, you will be given other available idea names or the name with other endings.
You can also check the WHOIS directory (link at the bottom of the page) to see to whom a name is registered and for how long (when we register a name, we are only renting it).

TIP #4. Once the name is paid for and registered, you will have an account that lists all of your domain names. I now keep all of the ones I register right in that account which gives me:

TIP #5. Be patient. To have changes in the files and on the Internet take effect sometimes takes as long as 72 hours. But, if you do have technical problems and/or questions, I have found the technical support at GoDaddy to be superb!

TIP #6. Final warning: If you have or once you have a domain name, your post office address will be listed in WHOIS. Therefore, you may receive a mailing(s) that looks like a bill for renewal, or just a bill. Read the small print. If you pay it, you will be registering your name with another registrar - and often for a lot more than you have already paid.

Do send your comments and questions to me at chris@creativekeys.biz. I love to receive feedback and will answer your questions in future e-zines.


			Designing Web Usability Written by the best-known guru of usability. Secrets of Successful Web Sites Siegel gives a perfect blueprint of ways to plan, develop and design websites that work. Creating Killer Web Sites Another enlightening book by Siegel, which (in my opinion) counts as the "creme de la creme" of website development books. Don't Make Me Think If you read this book along with Nielsen's books, and follow their advice, visitors will love visiting your websites. 101 Ways to Promote Your Web Site Once you have your website launched, you want people to visit. Author Sweeney is an expert on a plethora of ways to accomplish it.
		Discussion of Domains - What's in a Name?
	Volume III, Issue 6 ISSN: 1547-7754 November 2005 printable version Chris King, Editor By subscription only, this monthly e-newsletter is loaded with short, "down and dirty" tips to help you with solving the everchanging and growing puzzle of the Internet. This e-zine serves as a place to ask your questions and find the answers. So, send me your burning questions. I have discovered that even though domain names have been around since the beginning of interaction on the Internet, there is still a great deal of confusion surrounding them. How do I pick the right one? Can I have more than one? Where do I find out if the name I want is available? How much do they cost? These are a few of the questions I will answer in this issue of the Internet Tips E-Zine. TIP #1. Pick a domain name that has the following attributes: It relates to your name, your company name, or your product. If you are a solo-preneur, your name is a good choice. What if www.JohnSmith.com is already taken? Some suggest ww.TheJohnSmith.com. I also think that using .info or .biz or even .net will work. My company name has been Creative Keys since 1992, so when I purchased my first domain name in 1999 and found that www.CreativeKeys.com was already taken, I chose the .net ending and since then have registered the .biz ending for my business site. I don’t feel that it has hurt me in any way. If anything, it separates me from the norm. Use your website’s title, topic, product and/or keywords. For example, a successful marketing site is www.actionplan.com (it is Robert Middleton’s Action Plan Marketing site). I have www.storytellingpower.com; www.freelanceliving.com and www.powerfulpresentations.net - all self explanatory. Don’t be too cute, clever, or obtuse. It will either rob you of credibility or confuse surfers. Misspelled names. Now that domain names are so reasonably priced (see TIP #3), I know some top website gurus who suggest buying several variations of the spelling of your name or topic and then pointing them to the correctly spelled website. For example, Fred Gleeck also spells his name Gleek, because a lot of people forget the “c.”. TIP #2. It is a good idea to know what ICANN is in order to understand the whole management and reasons for domain names. The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) is responsible for managing and coordinating the Domain Name System (DNS) to ensure that every address is unique and that all users of the Internet can find all valid addresses. It does this by overseeing the distribution of unique IP addresses and domain names. It also ensures that each domain name maps to the correct IP address. ICANN is also responsible for accrediting the domain name registrars. "Accredit" means to identify and set minimum standards for the performance of registration functions, to recognize persons or entities meeting those standards, and to enter into an accreditation agreement that sets forth the rules and procedures applicable to the provision of Registrar Services. To find out all about ICANN go to http://www.icann.org/faq/#WhatisICANN. (Note: I would never register a name with a non-accredited registrar.) TIP #3. Once you have picked a name, you need to first make sure it is available, and then register for it. Below are the steps: I suggest going to my favorite and accredited registrar at www.godaddy.com (Note: I do not receive any commission from them for recommending them. I have just found them to be great to work with). There is a box where you can input your choice(s). If the name is available, you can follow through by ordering it. Back in 1999, domain names cost $35 per year. Now, at GoDaddy, they range from $6.95 to $9.95 a year. Caveat: don’t order all of the extras that they offer. In my opinion, they are not necessary. If the name isn’t available, you will be given other available idea names or the name with other endings. You can also check the WHOIS directory (link at the bottom of the page) to see to whom a name is registered and for how long (when we register a name, we are only renting it). TIP #4. Once the name is paid for and registered, you will have an account that lists all of your domain names. I now keep all of the ones I register right in that account which gives me: Free parking Free pointing. For example, I point my information site names to the home pages of those sites, which are included under the umbrella of my main information site at www.creativekeys.net. An example is my www.powerfulpresentations.net site. The opportunity to change the DNS endings so the domain name is hosted at its own IP address (if you are confused, do access the FAQs page at the ICANN link above). TIP #5. Be patient. To have changes in the files and on the Internet take effect sometimes takes as long as 72 hours. But, if you do have technical problems and/or questions, I have found the technical support at GoDaddy to be superb! TIP #6. Final warning: If you have or once you have a domain name, your post office address will be listed in WHOIS. Therefore, you may receive a mailing(s) that looks like a bill for renewal, or just a bill. Read the small print. If you pay it, you will be registering your name with another registrar - and often for a lot more than you have already paid. Have a terrific and productive month! Do send your comments and questions to me at chris@creativekeys.biz. I love to receive feedback and will answer your questions in future e-zines. If you would like to subscribe to this e-zine and receive five free Internet tips, send an e-mail to subscribe@creativekeys.biz with subscribe in the subject line. If you ever wish to be removed from the mailing list, just send an e-mail to unsubscribe@creativekeys.biz with unsubscribe in the subject line. Chris King P.O. Box 221255 Beachwood, Ohio 44122 (216) 991-8428 http://www.creativekeys.biz


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