When planning a website there are several issues that must be tackled one by one. Apart from all the content to be hosted there is one important thing to be done – check domain name. In fact this should be one of the primary tasks on the list since this domain name will help people reach your website.

What is a domain name?

Like all of us have a name and address, every website has a domain name. This is the name that viewers type into the address bar on the top of the browser page to view the website.

Registering a domain name?

The domain name of every website has to be registered with a domain name registrar. It is more like reserving that particular name for oneself so that it cannot be used by any other website. This is done on a contract basis and one can get a particular name registered for a particular period. It could be any period of time – as little as one year or as long as ten years.

There are many registrars available now, with each one offering a different package. When looking for a registrar it is advisable to go through all the terms and conditions with care and precision. Make sure to read the fine print since the document would require you to sign on the dotted line and settle upon an agreement.

It would be a good idea to initially go for a short-term contract and if all things go well extend it for a greater period of time. In case you are dissatisfied with the services of the registrar you can always take advantage of the domain transfer service and enter into a contract with a different registrar.

Remember that all domain names are registered for a limited period and need to be renewed at the end of each contract. Timely renewal will ensure uninterrupted services, else the particular name will be free to be taken up by another website.

While it is important to check domain names when starting a website it is equally important to see to their ‘maintenance’. Register with a trusted registrar like Cosmotown and never fail to get it renewed.

A domain name is referred to as your web space or your very own exclusive web address on the World Wide Web which you get by paying a certain amount of money. Domain names are purchased for different purposes. Some use domains to promote their online business, while others use it for personal use like posting pictures, resumes, and more. The price you pay for getting a space on the World Wide Web is known as domain name pricing.

The pricing concept

If you are going to purchase a domain name on the World Wide Web for your business or personal use, you must keep in mind a few things that will benefit you in getting a profitable domain name pricing deal. Some domain name service providers try to get you inside the door by offering you low prices for their service. However, once you purchase their service, they start to tell you about their hidden costs and expenses, the basic minimum you have to pay for continuing the service or even force you to purchase additional services for getting the original market price.

Additionally, in some cases, you have to wait for placing your purchase order until a promotional offer or coupon is given to you to avail the benefit of advertised pricing.

So, the service providers try to make you fall in their trap through such tricks. That is why you have to be careful while making an easy and hassle-free purchase a domain name.

There are different kinds of domain names which people use according to their requirements, such as .net, .com, and .org. Whatever you choose, domain name pricing is the most important factor to be considered in the purchase of a domain name. A well-chosen domain name helps in giving your brand a better visibility on the web and thus enables your product to be easily found on the web.

Finding competitive domain name pricing has become a lot easier in the past few years. There are literally hundreds of domain name registrars on the market, allowing website owners greater choice and control.

All About Domain Names

Computers actually use a string of numbers known as an Internet Protocol (IP) number to identify individual websites. However, it is difficult for Internet users to keep dozens of strings of numbers in their head for all their favorite websites. This is where domain names come in. Domain names give an easy-to-remember alphanumeric handle to IP numbers.

Today, anyone can buy a domain name, provided it is already unregistered and has a valid domain suffix like .com, or .edu. All website owners need to visit an accredited domain name registrar and pay a registration fee.
 
Choosing a Domain Name Registrar

Domain registration service packages vary considerably, so it is a good idea to shop around before registering with a particular company. Many website owners make the mistake of choosing the first domain name registrar they come across. As a result, they often end up paying more for their web hosting. Alternatively, they miss out on several cool services offered by such companies. Fortunately, it is possible to transfer domain registrar to find the best domain name pricing.

For instance, not all domain name registration companies use the same web interface. It is important to choose a service that makes it easy for you to manage your domain.
 
Look for registration services that offer free services within the domain registration package. Useful freebies to look out for include free private registration, free web hosting services, and email.

Finally, make sure that any service you choose has a strong and helpful customer support team.

Use these simple tips to find the most competitive domain name pricing.

Doing business online requires a domain name. In the initial stages of establishing an online presence, it is important to research the best domain name registration options. You have enough on your plate managing your business or brand. The wrong domain registrar can cost you a lot of time and headache.

Selecting a domain name registrar

In order to get a domain name, you need a domain registrar. The market is flooded with registrars, each offering different features and pricing. Which the best option is among them depends on your specific needs. Are you willing to pay a higher base rate for a free email feature? Or, are you willing to get a customized email through Google Apps and go for the best base price? It’ll take a little bit longer to set up, but for most businesses, the cost savings wins out. It all depends on your requirements. Definitely make note of the free features each registrar offers and take into account whether you even need them or not. There are some factors that are universal.

• Certification: Look for an ICANN accredited registrar. The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) regulates the DNS (domain name system). They are charged with making sure accredited registrars adhere to certain regulations and do not assign more than one person the same domain name. Although there are many practices not under their jurisdiction, at the very least your domain registrar should be held to these minimum standards.
• Price: Being a free market, there’s a huge variation in domain name pricing structures followed by different registrars. After short listing a few that you want to research, scan through their general pricing structure. Don’t just look at the first year’s price or the coupons their currently offering. When I registered my first domain, I immediately went to the biggest name in domain registrars. The one that everyone knows, because I saw a coupon for a 0.99 domain. I signed up for an account and went to purchase my domain. All of a sudden it was $15 in my cart for one year. It turns out the coupon was only for the “first purchase, from first time customers.” Because I had created an account before buying, they did not consider me a first time customer. I couldn’t get the 0.99 price! I was flabbergasted. Take the time to look in detail what the second and third year price will be. Some registrars offer rock bottom promotional rates for the first year, then the next year jack up the price to their “regular rates” which are insanely high. Others are pretty straightforward and just keep their price the same year to year, in the middle of the pack in terms of price range. The only registrar I’ve ever seen that actually lowers their price if you purchase for more than one year is Cosmotown.com. (Seems logical, right?) Plus, their regular rate is the lowest I’ve found, without using a special coupon. Personally, I like to do a lot of research and shopping around in the beginning and then set it and forget it. With Cosmotown, it’s a pretty safe bet you’re going to be paying a lot less than anyone else.
• Contract: When registering a domain name, you have to sign a contract with your registrar. Carefully go through all the terms and conditions of the document. Are you being charged fees you don’t know about it? Do they actually charge you a fee to transfer? Did you know that you have to get your current registrars authorization to transfer to a different registrar. Google other customers’ experiences trying to transfer. If they have shady practices, where they make up reasons to deny customer requests, steer clear. Those types of registrars are the exact same ones that set your contract to auto-renew at outrageous prices the next year. It took me twenty minutes, going through that big registrar’s user menus trying to figure out how to cancel the auto renew option. There’s plenty of offers and pop ups you have to click through to buy more of their products. But, only confusing information about how to cancel the auto renew option.
• Duration: The contracts go in year intervals. So, the shortest period you can register for is 1 year, the longest 10 years. You can always renew, as long as you don’t allow your domain to expire. If you’re not sure about the registrar, choose the shortest contract term (1 year). This allows the freedom to switch to a better one at the end of the contract if you’re not satisfied. If you have a great relationship with your registrar, think they have great customer service, their user interface is easy to use, and you can live with the price go ahead and do the 10 year registration. You don’t want to accidentally let your domain expire and lose control over your domain name.

The factors you use to determine the best domain name registration service may vary from person to person. But, dependability, trustworthy practices and ease of use applies to everyone. Do your research and see what others are saying about the registrar you’re considering. Does it take fifteen minutes just to even access the screen to change your password, because they’re offering you all their latest deals? Do they have a reputation of purchasing people’s domains out from under them? Are their prices all over the place and too confusing to figure out what you’re going to be paying year to year? If so, move on. There are more reliable options out there.