Let's say that you have an idea and want to build a Website, and you have come up with a cool domain name that you want to use for your website. You aren't sure when you will be able to start to build your website itself, but you want to make sure that nobody else gets the idea and takes that domain name. Say your domain name is Coolwebsite.com. What you want to do is check the domain name registry and make sure it's not already taken. If it is available, you want to register that domain name. Registering the name gives you ownership of it. In order for you to reserve the domain name on which you wish to build your website, it has to actually live on a server somewhere. It will usually have some sort of "Under Construction" notice that shows up when people try to access that domain name until you actually build your website there.

Use this cool tool to find out if the domain name you want is available.

Just type in the name you want and click search.

 

.com .us .net .org .biz .info .ws .com .us .biz .info .net .org .ws .name .tv .cc .de .jp .be .at .uk .nz .cn .tw

Selecting The Best Domain Name

If you go to www.makewords.com, you can enter the words you would like to see in title of the website you create. This website is useful because it gives you ideas for domain names that are available before you build your website.

When you create your website, keep in mind you'll want it to be found in the major search engines (Google, Yahoo, etc.) It is highly recommended you register a website name that contains your major keywords instead of your company name.

The average surfer searches for websites by subject, not by proper name.  So while it may seem cool to have a name like Suesspectacularsaladdressings.com, when you create your website, you'll want to choose a name that includes keywords that your target audience would likely use when they search for a website.

You can still list your company name on your website pages, but it's more important when you create and build a website to make sure the domain name includes your important "search friendly" keywords if you want to receive traffic from all over.

Of course, you can still list your company name when you create your website some place, but your domain name will include all the important keywords you'll want to be found with.

Keep in mind though...
If you just build a website for a local business, getting traffic from all over the web may not be as important to you.  This is because your customers will be local and you may want to grow your brand name in a specific area.

If this is the case, it may make more sense to register your company name and create brand awareness you can build locally instead of trying to capitalize on search engine presence.

 
HINTS

    1) Don't register domain names that are too long and have too many syllables if you can help it.  Yes, you can register names up to 63 characters long, but that doesn't mean you have to use all 63 characters.

    You want your name to be easy to remember. Not everyone will bookmark your page initially so try to think of something that can be easily remembered -- although this may be tricky since a lot of names are taken these days. (Again, go to Makewords.com for help in finging a good name)

    2) Use hyphens if your name is more than 3 words long (unless your name includes 3 short words).  A name like carbuying.com doesn't really need a hyphen because it's readable the way it is.  

    However a name like used-car-buying-scams.com looks better than usedcarbuyingscams.com since there are so many words in the name.

    3) Protect your name by registering multiple extensions (.net, .org, etc.)  This deters people from copying your name when they create their website. For example, if you own garden-tips-for-us.com you can also register garden-tips-for-us.net and any other extension that's available.

    You don't have to build a website on all the domains, but you can reserve the others to keep people (copycats) from registering them.

How to Register a Domain Name

Reserving a domain name is easy and very cost friendly. The big name companies like Register.com and NetworkSolutions.com charge ridiculous prices such as $30-35/year for one domain name, and you get the same service at GoDaddy.com for much less.

There are many companies that will park your domain name on a server, and a number of them charge a fee. GoDaddy.com is one of the companies that will park your domain name, and it provides a nice form that makes it easy to check for domain name availability. It only takes a couple of minutes to check and reserve a domain name.

It doesn't matter where you register your domain.  Every registrar provides the same services but you can save a bundle at GoDaddy.com.


As you're registering your website name, you will be presented with the option of keeping your domain name private. This is  a deluxe feature you'll probably want to take advantage of.

A private website domain registration will keep your information (name, email address, etc.) out of the global Internet database, and will prevent a lot of spam from reaching your email box.

Even though registering a "private" domain is not mandatory and will not block all spam, this option is highly recommended. Before you create or build a website, you should define the type of website you want to create. This way you are sure to choose the right kind of website host for your needs.

While the domain name registration process is the same at almost every registrar, the website hosting options can be different. That's why you need to understand what each host offers before signing your website with any of them.

 STEP 3

Find a Website Host

IMPORTANT

As I mentioned in the previous section, before you create or build a website, you should define the type of

website you want to create. This way you are sure to choose the right kind of website host for your needs.

While the domain name registration process is the same at almost every registrar, the website hosting options

can be different. That's why you need to understand what each host offers before signing your website with any

of them. Here are two differing types of webhosts that offer different services. You'll want to go with the type

that provides the services (tools, support and space) you'll be wanting for your own website. Also remember that

you don't have to host your site at the same place you register your domain name. For example you could register

you domain name at GoDaddy.com or WebsitePalace.com and then choose to host your site at another place

like Hostgator.com

Regular Website Hosting

A regular website host is the most common type of hosting plan people choose to create their websites. It's

also the most flexible option to use to create and build your website although it is a bit less user friendly than using

template hosting which is the other option. With regular hosting you will be able to create an unlimited amount of

website pages (within your account's space limit). In addition, you will have access to many advanced features to

build your website such as a chat room, forum, shopping cart, user interaction and others that aren't offered by all

hosts. You will be able to create pages from scratch using HTML (a whole other can of worms) or you can use

website editing software like Coffeecup or Microsoft Frontpage. The host I like best that falls into this category is

Powweb. With Powweb you get all the special advanced features I mentioned above plus a built-in

shopping cart (for those of you who will need one) and UNLIMITED space for a low price. WebsitePalace.com

offers what is called their Turbo-Charged option for those of you that already own or don't need web page creation

tools. This option offers the full functionality that will allow you to create message boards, shopping carts and add

other interactive features you may want for your website. The plans start at only $3.95 per month and if you don't

own any web design software you can use an editor like Coffeecup or Dreamweaver to create and manage your

web pages.

Template Builder Hosting

This type of website hosting is the easiest to use because in order to build your website, no software or

programming is needed. Pre-created website templates are provided for you and you build your website

pages simply by pointing and clicking your mouse. However along with the ease of use they create for you to build

your website in this manner, you may find some space and technical limitations. Again, make sure you've defined

the purpose of your website first. Template builder hosting is best and can't be beat for simple, personal sites.

A couple of my favorite template type hosts are Hostgator, Hostmonster, Bluehost and Lunarpages.

Perhaps Above All The Rest

Site Build It

Site Build It is probably the best host to consider if you're looking for an all-around host that is usually a perfect fit.

If you want to sell hard goods or are running a for profit type website, this is the one you probably want. At one

place and for one price you can buy all the tools you need for building your site; domain name, hosting,

web page building tools, marketing help, search engine submission even ranking reports, With Site Build It

all you do ischoose a template and add your text. That's it! And probably the best thing about Site Build It

is...they help drive traffic to your site. Getting traffic to your site is without a doubt the most difficult and time

consuming part of building a successful website. If you're doing any kind of ecommerce on your site, Thats HUGE!

TRAFFIC = MONEY

The other hosts mentioned here don't show you how to get a top10 ranking in the major search engines or find the

most profitable topic for building your site. Site Build It is $25/month or $299 a year but well worth the extra cost

because it helps you build and market your website.