How Much Does it Cost? And How do I do It?
By Earl B. Hall of NetPower Publishing
There have been many articles written about having
your own Domain Name. If you are still on a "Free
Site" or in the process of deciding how to make your
Internet Presence be known, this information is a
MUST.
Many feel that having their own domain name is an
expense that can wait or that it takes more knowledge
than you posess. Neither of these are valid.
Let me explain. First of all the cost of getting a domain
name was $35.00 per year. The first two years were
paid in advance which equals $70.00.
(NOTE: You no longer have to pay $70.00 in InterNIC fees! When you register domains, you will not receive any additional invoice or bill from the InterNIC. The Network Solutions/InterNIC monopoly was broken in June 1999 and many domain name registration companies are leading the competitive charge for affordable domain names.) And, remember domain names are tax
deductable.
Secondly, the process of obtaining your own Domain
is extremely simple. The hardest part is deciding what
to call yourself. (See "How Do I Choose a Name?"
below.) Internic will set you up by just filling out a
short form. You can either pay online or wait to receive
their statement. And they give you 30 days to pay.
Why Have My Own Domain?
1) The Number One reason is to add credibility to your
business. When you have a web site you ARE a
business owner. Very few people will ever view your
Internet Business as serious without your willingness to
take this step to present yourself as a professional. It
all boils down to this: "If you are not willing to invest
in your own business, how serious can you really be?"
2) Money - Increased Sales: In reality this is merely a
result of increased credibility. Your Internet buyer does
not know if you are a large corporation or a housewife
working out of a closet in flannel pajamas. What you
offer and how it is presented to a buyer IS what makes
you successsful on the Internet. The buyers perceived
impression of your company can ONLY be viewed as
professional when you have your Own Domain.
3) Control - When you have your Own Domain, YOU
are the Master. Should you decide to change web
hosts, it's a simple transition. Your URL (Web address
will not change). You are no longer required to post
someone else's advertising on your site. Search
Engines that were not willing to index your Free Page
will now accept your listing readily. You can set up
email addresses such as webmaster@yourdomain.com,
sales@yourdomain.com, or editor@yourdomain.com.
Suddenly your company takes on a more professional
and larger appearance.
How Do I Choose a Name?
Your Internet Address (Domain Name) should reflect
what you and your web site are all about. This is
decidedly the most difficult decision you have to make.
Begin by evaluating what you are marketing on your
web site. Secondly create a list of possible URLs.
Try to keep it as simple as possible or easy to remember.
Even a long name is OK, if it reflects your business or
what you are trying to present. (For example: A name
such as learntoreadandwrite.com is a long name but
easy to remember and certainly would explain what
your site is all about.)
The next step is to check on availabilty. If you think
you have come up with the one and only perfect name
for your web site, you may find that it has already been
taken. Be prepared with several acceptable possibilities
then visit: DirectNIC.com
The database will give you up to the minute
availability of your desired URL. It will also offer slight
variations of the name you have chosen as suggestions
if it is not available.
From this point, it is just a matter of minutes and you
will be able to establish yourself as a Professional
Internet Business by using their online registration
form. If you are doing the online registration or if you
have someone else do it for you, be sure that you are
listed as the administrative contact. Doing so will give
you the control over your site.
In Summary:
The creation of a Professional Image on the Internet can
only be accomplished by obtaining your Own Domain. The
willingness to invest in your Internet future
can add credibility and the impression of being around for
the long haul.
Don't allow the time and effort you have put into your
web pages get sucked into the blackhole of cyberspace.