An Internet domain name is a web address that you can purchase for your web
site. It could contain your business name: www.yourbusinessname.co.uk, or any
other word/letter with some small exceptions. Supply is based on the combination
that you want, and upon availability. For example, the domain name of this web
site is www.dedicated-domains.co.uk. It is also registered under several other
dot designations. This is a good idea to protect trade marks and brands and intellectual
property rights, and also stops any speculator from obtaining your name. Companies
need to show that they are protecting their rights by registering their domains
in other dot extensions for example companies with a .com should also register
under .info .biz at the very least.
You may not have considered the benefits that having
your own domain name gives your web site, so we'll list some major ones and then
we'll look at each more closely:
Exclusivity
Without your own domain, you don't have much of a choice, your web addresses will
generally be based on the domain name of your host or Internet service provider
(ISP), such as username@yourISP.co.uk and
www.username.yourISP.co.uk this may be acceptable
to non organizations where commercial interests are not involved, but it is definitely
not recommended for profit making organizations for all of the reasons stated
above, let alone the kudos of having your own Domain Name. Having your own domain
name is like owning your own virtual property estate; your own slice of cyber
turf, if you will. Such exclusivity can help build name recognition for you and
your company.
Credibility
We all know the saying; "You never get a second chance to make a first impression,"
this is very true in business, first impressions count. Having your own domain
name projects a professional image that you're a serious business person, your
own domain name underpins this. It tends to say to others that you are operating
an established business in a professional manner even if you're operating your
business from home, or if you have business premises your own Domain Name says
you are serious and run your business in a professional manner.
Flexibility
If you set up your web site without owning your own domain name, you'll be left
with no possibility of moving your name if you decide to change the ISP where
your name resides. Such a web address is not mobile, so you can't take it with
you if you ever decide to switch to another web hosting supplier who may offer
better services.
Ownership of your own domain name gives you the option of moving your web site
to another host without losing your web address. You can simply take your domain
name with you. Let's face it, if you have built up a customer base you don't want
to loose it because you can't take it with you if you switch to a new host provider.
Yes, you could inform all of your customers of your new address but in the meantime
you could lose some or all of the momentum you've already gained.
IMPORTANT: Domain ownership problems
can arise when an ISP or other person or third party that registered the domain
name did not list them as the actual owner.
Registering your name(s) with Dedicated-Domains insures that you are listed as
the legal owner when registration takes place, not us.
You may be happy with your current web host and have no plans to switch, but having
the option to move your web site to another host without losing your web address
is always a good idea and having Domain Name ownership gives you that option.
Should your current provider fall short of your expectations or you decide to
move to a better deal, then previous effort involved in promoting your web address
doesn't go down the drain.
So, if you are now convinced and are a serious Internet entrepreneur without your
own domain name for your web site, then now might be a good time to start making
a list of possible domain names. You can use our free search facility to see if
your domain name is available and register it now, your web address is the world's
link to you.
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Domain
Names Explained