Purchasing Domain Names for Your Website

If you are going to be setting up a website and have not purchased a domain name, this is one of the first things that you will need to do. A domain name gives you a specific address at which you can "post"-or "address"-your website. Choosing a domain name provider is a very important business decision, as you will be dependent upon them to keep your site available for viewing at the correct address. You will also wind up re-newing your domain at the same company as well in many cases. There are many different ways that you can purchase domain names. It pays to do your homework to find the best deal and a reliable company. Only Accredited Registrars are certified by Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) to sell domain names.

They must follow ICANN's procedures that provide a means to settle disputes when they occur. Registrars also pay ICANN fees for the purchase of each different domain name. They make their money by adding a fee or fees when they sell the domain name to the final purchaser. There is a very wide range in fees for purchasing domains, from lows of $4.99 all the way to hundreds of dollars depending upon the Registrar service that you choose. Many registrars offer additional services, either in a package or individually, for additional fees (of course). Many people find it easier to get all of their web services from one company and some registrars also do some web design and hosting.

You may wish to purchase such items as forwarding and email hosting from the same service that provides your domain name. if it is within your budget it is a very good idea to get forwarding for your website. For example if you own a .com domain name then you can purchase forwarding from the same .net or .org site.

Some Registrars strictly sell the domain names and do not provide any support. Obviously, these services generally cost less, which is fine if you do not feel that you will need additional services. However, you want to think about the long-term needs and the potential growth of your website when purchasing a domain name. It's a good idea to actually call the provider to find out how quickly you can get a response should you need tech support in an emergency-some places are better about this than others.

Consider whether you feel that it is important that you have access to 24/7 assistance and ask what their support covers. For example, will they help you set up your website or do you have to have a good deal of technical knowledge to do it on your own. Another way to purchase a domain name is through domain resellers who are partners of Accredited Registrars reselling domain names. Most resellers offer minimal technical support. It can also happen that a reseller goes out of business and doesn't notify you, the owner of the domain.

You might have little idea of what to do or who to contact to rectify the situation. For most consumers the best option is to purchase directly from an Accredited Registrar. Be certain to read the fine print and that you agree to all of the terms of service before you commit