Registering a Domain Name

Choosing a domain name for your website is quite a challenging task as most of the name combination in that topic may already be registered. The domain name should be keyword rich and available.

For example if you seek to register a domain say..."searchengineoptimization.com" it may already be registered. So you would try search-engine-optimization.com that also may be registered so then what should you do? You can try registering .net, .biz., org., .edu TLDs.

The last two are specific .org for an organization and the last .edu for being and education website. If your website is country specific then you can try co.uk, co.in or co.jp as the case may be.

You can also go for an extension as "searchengineoptimizationindia.com" or "search-engine-optimization-India.com" there are endless permutation combination for naming a domain. The crux is that somehow you have to include your primary keywords in the naming process. Thus I would also try search-engine-optimization-company.com.

But yes the domain name so generated should be easily memorable. Else try action oriented key words that define your activity or business. Hence choose "gettoprank.com" or "toprankingservice.com"

Visit a who.is website just type "who is" and you will get many resources.

or visit....http://www.whoseis.net

Type the domain name you seek to register in the box provided and find if it has been already taken or not. If the domain name is available then you should register it with an accredited domain name registrar.

ICANN or Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers maintains a list of accredited registrars on its website.

http://www.icann.org/registrars/accredited-list.html

Those not on the list may be resellers of approved registrars.

After registering the domain name you should park it if the websites is yet to be built.

Many web hosting service cum registrars fool the website owners by registering the domain name in their own name and quietly provide hosting space. Visit the "who is" website to confirm that it is in your own name that the domain is registered.

There are lot of good web hosting service which will park your domain name as a single page website and then subsequently park the whole website whence web designing is complete. Get full information about hosting services provided by the hosting provider and then host your website there after registering the domain.

Managing and protecting domain names.

Be aware of the following points to prevent domain name theft or neglect.

Know when your domain name expires.

Keep contact information updated

Enable registration lock which only you can open for transfers.

Create a strong password.

Register your domain name as trademark.

Read mails from registrar carefully.

Use domain name monitoring service.