What is a domain name?
So you want to create a website, what’s the first thing that you need to do? Before you can create it, you need a name for it. The name will be uniquely yours, nobody else will be able to use it, and it will specifically relate to your website.
The original domain names were with the suffix .com. When the worldwide web was first launched, back in 1989, the original websites were designated as .com; it was a contraction of commercial. Now, there are many, many suffixes, including .net, .org, .co.uk etc. The name that you choose for your website can be any of these, or a selection of several. You are free to register any domain name, as long as it is available. In other words, as long as it is not already registered.
Generally speaking, the original three letter suffixes (.com, .net, .org etc.) were for sites created or registered in the USA. Other countries developed their own suffixes (.co.uk for the United Kingdom, .de for Germany, .fr for France etc.) although now anyone can register any site that is available.
Choose your domain
When you are selecting the name you want, it should reflect your business or project wherever possible. This is not a requirement but it will facilitate that your potential visitors will be able to locate you more easily. If the domain name that you choose is not available, the domain registration service will normally display similar names that are available. You can choose one of these, or you can re-think and try to create another name that accurately reflects the business or project that you are creating.
You can also register more than one name of course. For example you could register at the same time.
- www.xxx123.com
- www.xxx123.co.uk
- www.xxx123.net
One reason to consider this course of action would be to prevent another business, or individual, from using your domain name with a different suffix. This is, of course, up to you. You can register any of these domain names with Sherlockhost hosting, and again, the .com is free if you purchase hosting from us.
Registering your domain name
If you decide to name your domain www.xxx123.com and that is available, you simply register it and it belongs to you. This registration costs varying amounts of money, depending on the service you decide to use. With Sherlockhost, your .com registration is completely free if you purchase a hosting service with us.
When you register your domain, it is yours for the period time that you select. You can buy it for 12 months or longer. At the end of the chosen period you will receive a reminder to renew it. If you do not renew it, it becomes available to anyone to purchase it.
Your domain name is listed in a worldwide directory called WHOIS, together with the owner’s name. There is a big business involving the buying and selling of domain names. If you want a domain name that is already taken, but is not currently active, you can contact the owner and try to buy the domain from them.
After you have successfully registered your domain name or names you next need to contract a hosting service. This is where your website lives. Then you need a website creation tool. All of these services are available with Sherlockhost, your one-stop company for your website needs and with free .com registration with your purchase of Shelockhost hosting for 12 months.