The Basics of Domain Name Registration

by Cliff Posey

If you want to have your own web site, you need to learn the basics of domain name registration. A domain name is also known as a web address or host name. Every web site needs its own domain name so that users can find it on the web. Domain name registration is important to make sure that two web sites aren't using the same domain name.

Because so many domain names are in use and in demand, there are certain organizations that have made a business out of domain name registration. Known as domain name registrars, these organizations act as a middleman between the registry that handles domain names and the public, buying and selling names at whim. Although there are too many of these organizations to name here, examples of registrars are GoDaddy.com and DomainDirect.com.

Domain Name Registration for Beginners

If you are interested in registering a name, you are in luck because domain name registration is a relatively simple process. All you need to do is find a registrar and search for the name you are interested in using to see if it available.

With the rapid expansion of the Internet, many of the most popular domain names have already been taken. Many webmasters are forced to get creative and add hyphens or numbers to their name. If you cannot find the name you want during the beginning of the domain name registration process, you may want to consider using one of these creative techniques.

During domain name registration, you must also decide what you want your top level domain to be. The most common choices are .com or .net, but you can also investigate options like .biz, .org, or .info.

Once you have picked your domain name, you need to decide how long you want to hold that name. Most registrars offer contracts that range anywhere from one year to ten years, and most offer you the opportunity to renew once the contract expires.

The cost of this will vary depending on the service you use and the length of your contract. To make sure you are getting the best deal possible, it is a good idea to shop around or get domain name registration referrals before you buy.

Choosing the Best Domain Name

The hardest part of domain name registration is choosing the best domain name. It is recommended that you choose a name that is both memorable and has something to do with your business or business name. And, it wouldn't hurt if the name is a good searchable term.

In addition to using good sense when choosing a domain name, you must also abide by the basic rules of domain name registration. For example, you shouldn't choose a name that is a copyrighted word or term. This could lead to legal problems down the road. You will also want to make sure that you keep the domain name under 67 characters, as that is the maximum length for web addresses.

About the author: Cliff Posey, owner of CRP Marketing, owns and operates http://webbusinesstoolsonline.com Cliff Posey has also operated several other successful web businesses including Love Song Cards and Radio Career Consultants. The content in this article was developed from his experience in these businesses and his continual research into further business improvements.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cliff_Posey

Insider's Guide On How To Pick The Best Domain Name Registration Service

By Jed Baguio

If you want to have your own domain name, then you will need a domain name registration service. Having this makes the process easier to finish.

A domain name registration service is important for first timers since they are not yet familiar with all the twist and turns of the registration process. Without using this service, it will be hard for them in dealing problems that they might encounter.

Using your business name is advised by many domain name registration service so that it will be easier to find a unique name. It’s hard to use an original one since all domain names have been already used. You can use your business name but it’s better to think deeply when selecting your domain name.

Choose a domain name that is easy to remember and fitting. Avoid adding numbers to it to prevent the users from being confused. Only use domain names which are related to your business name for it to be easily remembered.

Choosing a domain name registration service is like getting married. You’ll stick with it forever if you have no plans of changing it. Therefore, a cautionary note is important when deciding for a domain name. Be wise in choosing so that it will last until the end of time.

People that will use your site will soon come to find your site through the domain name. If you have a distinguishing domain name, visitors will find it easier to remember and they will often visit your site. Once visited again and again, it’ll be stuck in their heads and visit it all the time...CONTINUE

Article Taken From http://DomainNameRegistrationGuide.useful-tips.com Written by Jed Baguio Orginal Article Location: Insider's Guide On How To Pick The Best Domain Name Registration Service Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jed_Baguio

Local Domains - Choose Wisely!

By Christine Anderssen
A few years ago it did not matter whether you had a .com type domain or an extension specific to your own country.

In fact, I would go so far as to say that it was probably considered quite 'cool' to have a .com domain. It gave the impression that you were serious about your business.

Then Google decided to go local and now most local country searches would probably go through the version of Google specific to your own country.

When Google launched my country's local version of Google (www.google.co.za) I investigated the matter of having a .com domain versus having .co.za domain and how that would affect where you would show up in the SERPS (search engine result pages).

I searched through various forums (on Google itself) as well as other big forums like WebHostingTalk. I also did my own tests. The consensus seems to be that you will only show up in the regional search engine of Google (and I specifically refer here to using your country's local Google to LIMIT results to your country's results) if
1) your domain extension (e.g. .co.za or .co.uk etc.) corresponds with the region, or
2) your IP of the hosting server falls in the corresponding geographic region or

The implication of this is that if your domain ends in a .com AND you happen to be hosted physically on an internationally located server, your .com domain will NOT show up in www.google.co.za when the search is limited to South African results.
(How do you know whether your domain is hosted locally or off-shore? There are technical ways to find out but the easiest would be to ask your hosting service provider!)

Now you might argue that people might not use the 'Limit to results' option - that they might search world wide. That might be so, but here is another curveball: Even when presenting world wide results, the regional Google search engine gives a preference to local domains.

So here is the bottom line:
- When you have a .com website, make sure that the physical servers that they are hosted on are located locally in your own country
- If you have the option (and your business is aimed at your local market), always register a local domain for your business website.

If you currently have a .com domain that is located off-shore, you will NEVER show up in the local results of Google (if you specifically limit the searches to your own country's results only), and even when people do not limit the results to your country only, you will compete against millions of other .com domains, while your local competitor with a local domain extension will sneak right up to the top results in Google because Google gives more preference to those domains when using its local version of the search engine.

What can you do about this? I would suggest that you register a local domain and start migrating your webiste over to the new domain. You can leave your business cards and company brochures with your .com extension until you run out and have to print new ones in any case - all you need to do is ask your webhosting provider to put a forward on your .com domain to your local domain name.

It will take a while for the transition to show up in all relevant search engines and to be frank, this might not be a painless process! But you need to decide how important it is to you to show up on the first pages of the local search engines - there are other ways of marketing your website too. But if you think that you might be losing out on targeted traffic, I suggest you bite the bullet and go for it - rather sooner than later!

Article Source: http://www.ArticleJoe.com

Get the maximum benefit from your website: Your FREE course on how to turn your website into a powerful marketing machine for local businesses is available now at Tailormade4you Webhosting - Cheap Web Hosting for South Africa

How To Choose A Domain Name For Your Business Website

By Paul coulter
A website’s domain name (also know as a website address or URL) is an important consideration when developing your online presence. Choosing an appropriate domain name is the first step in the process of building online credibility. Remember to choose carefully because this online address may be where your business resides for the rest of its operating life. Now, some important tips to consider before choosing your domain name:

Choosing Your Domain Extension

A domain extension or top level domain is simply the suffix of your website address: (.com, .net, .org, .ca, etc.) Most Internet users are familiar with the “.com” extension, and will generally use this extension by default when typing an address into their browser. Choosing a “.com” extension should be your fist choice in case your potential customers forget that your address is “www.mybusiness.NET”, and visit your competitor at “www.mybusiness.COM” by mistake. Choosing the “.com” extension gives your website the most credibility in the eyes of your customers.

If your business only caters to the local community, then it makes sense to get a country specific domain name, such as the “.ca” extension. A country specific domain benefits you in two ways: both your customers and search engines such as Google will know that your website is registered to a Canadian and operates in Canada. Potential customers will feel more comfortable knowing that they are dealing with a Canadian company, and not a U.S. based business pretending to be a Canadian company. Also, search engines will give your website higher placement in the search results when a user is performing a Canadian specific search.

I personally recommend that my clients, if possible, register both the “.com” AND “.ca” extension. This way, your Canadian based website will benefit from using the “.ca” extension, while at the same time ensuring that they reach your website if they accidentally type the “.com” extension into their browser.

Using Your Business Name

The first choice for any domain name would be your business’ name. This ensures that your customers will remember your website’s address. You can’t expect your potential customers to remember a phrase that just relates to your business.

Choosing Choice Keywords

Including specific keywords in your website’s address will help your rankings in popular search engines such as Google or Yahoo. It is best to choose a keyword that you think your potential customers will use to search for your business. A search engine optimization (SEO) professional such as Cost Effective Design can assist you in choosing your keyword(s). These type of domain names are used in instances where the client does not want to use the business name because it is either already registered by another company, or the company name is simply too long. Any company that is serious about generating traffic through search engines should acquire a domain name with a keyword in addition to your business name.

Don’t Confuse Your Customers

If possible, try not to use domain names that include: “2” for “To” or “4” for “For” or “u” for “You”. These may make your domain look “cool” or “hip”, but in reality they are not very practical. These domain names create a problem when in directing your clients to your website verbally or over the phone. For example, if you owned www.UsedCars4U.com, every time you verbally directed someone to your website, you would have to specify that the URL uses the actual number 4, and letter U.

To Use, Or Not to Use Hyphens

Given that more and more businesses are registering domain names every day, getting the website address you want is becoming increasingly difficult. One or two word domain names are usually already registered, forcing new registrants to choose URLs containing three or four words. To some people, these URLs can look like a big mess of words. Using hyphens in between the words can make them visually more appealing. For example, “www.used-cars-for-you.com, looks better than “www.usedcarsforyou.com. The jury is still out on hyphenated domain names. The advantages are that they look better and search engines can easily distinguish the separate keywords for better search placements, but the disadvantages are that they are difficult to verbally communicate and type. The best solution would be to register both the hyphenated, and the un-hyphenated version of the domain name to ensure that there is no confusion.

Domain Name Length

Even though you are allowed to use 67 characters for a domain name, the general rule of thumb is: shorter is better. Although, in some instances, the website address may be more memorable if it is more descriptive. For example a domain consisting of initials only, such as “www.waa.com”, may not create a lasting impression compared to the domain name “www.windsorautoassociation.com”. Therefore, it is best to choose a name that, while short, contains enough description for your customers to easily remember.

Buying an Existing Domain Name

Maybe the domain name you really want is already registered, either by a legitimate company, or by a “domain squatter” who merely registered the name to sell for a profit at a later date. You can make an offer for these types of domains, although they make cost several hundred, or even thousands of dollars. There are advantages to purchasing an existing domain name. In addition to getting the domain you want, it may also rank highly in the search engines for certain keywords and / or generate topic specific traffic that you will benefit your business.

Article Source: http://www.ArticleJoe.com

Paul Coulter owns and operates a full service, custom web design company in Canada. Contact Him by visiting his website at: Custom Web Design.ca

How Does A Server Admin Handle An Abuse Issue?

By William Nabaza of http://www.nabaza.com/
Most server administrators I know and have talk to enforces prevention and avoidance to be reported as a spammer instead of facing it head on for a cure, they avoid it. Here are some practical steps based on my experiences since 1995 of being a Server Administrator on how to avoid it. We know server administrators are not just part of the system, they are the "system" themselves enforcing zero-tolerance against spam. First and foremost is the foundation of a server of how an abuse or abuse reporting system is setup and placed.

1. Setup a separate dedicated email for this (preferably not using one of your domain's email system or preferably hosted on another server). This email's sole purpose is to receive computer generated logs of abuse report made within 24 hours against allotted ip addresses. This email must not be published anywhere even in your whois info, or in your published pages. I prefer @gmail.com or @yahoo.com. When that email address is setup, go here: http://www.spamcop.net/w3m?action=ispsignupform click on "create an Isp account" then log in and click on "Request Reports" and type all allotted ip addresses under your account one ip per line, it's a good thing to specify all ip addresses on your other server accounts as well for centralized reporting. In this way when someone (ignorantly, envy motivated, or plain abuse of one of your members) you will get it on your email address.

2. Open an account at groups.google.com and join these 2 specific newsgroups:
news . admin . net-abuse . policy http://groups.google.com/group/news.admin.net-abuse.policy?lnk=sg

news . admin . net-abuse . misc
http://groups.google.com/group/news.admin.net-abuse.misc?lnk=sg

This is where abuse report issues that are handled and resolved are being posted and spam abusers are reported live to all admin's eyes. By subscribing to it you will be able to monitor every abuse report reported against an ip address, setup a filter in your email address to filter out your ip addresses and so it will end up in your inbox other reports are to be discarded directly to your trash folders for permanent deletion.

Once you have dealt with a spam issue, which I doubt will happen after you practice all steps included in this article, you need to report this issues is either ongoing or resolved and the abuser/spammer is terminated and removed from your server and banned. Reports submitted/posted here needs to have full headers. Mostly web-based email system can be setup to do this, just click on "show full headers report" and copy and paste the whole abusive/spammed email message and paste it on these groups. That way you are saying in front of admins alike that you are enforcing zero-tolerance on all of your members and an active promoter of anti-spam laws in the internet.

3. Logon to WHM (Web Hosting Manager) and click on "Security" and then "Tweak Security" under "SMTP Tweak", click on "Configure" and make sure "Allow connections to localhost on port 25." is disabled. This SMTP tweak will prevent users from bypassing the mail server to send mail (This is a common practice used by spammers). It will only allow the MTA (mail transport agent), mailman, and root to connect to remote SMTP servers. Also it will help to check your mail queue manager a couple of times per day, login to WHM and click on "Email", click on 'Mail Queue Manager" if you see any suspicious looking email address there trying to send usually free web-based ones or generated randomly, and click on "Delete all messages in Queue." That only means that your system can't send it because it's not routable for it's ip address origin are questionable and not listed on your trusted ip's to send out email.

4. Login to WHM (Web Hosting Manager) and click on "Contact Manager" under "Server Contacts" menu. Make sure you placed "2 or 3" on Alert Priority Assignment right beside "Recently Uploaded Cgi Script Mail". This will email you on a daily basis (if there are uploaded pages or scripts) that are set to use your smtp or mail on your server which could be the source of spam abusers to send out spam using your ip addresses. Setup a filter for it and it always is prefixed on the Subject: "[newmailcgi] Recently Uploaded CGI scripts" take note that even php form mail that are insecuredly setup to send spam are also reported to your email address setup as contact manager on your server's WHM. Make sure to actively monitor this and when it happened to give ample warnings to the user who uploaded this.

5. Go to http://www.dnsstuff.com/ and under "Spam database lookup" type in your ip address and make sure there are no red areas or red rows on any spam database sites, this will confirm that your ip addresses are "clean" from spam. Run another test and click on http://whois.sc/yourdomain.com and see this result "Blacklist Status: Clear " it must always be that way, if it says listed, then you are listed on one or more spam database site and your ip address as one whose spam is originated and declared as spamvertised sites.

6. Go to http://www.dnsreport.com/ and run a dns report on your domain and make sure the "SOA record" shows your email address dedicated to your domain on the "Hostmaster E-mail address:". Make sure your "Acceptance of abuse address" is setup as your email abuse@yourdomain.com. Make sure also that mail relaying is not enabled on your domain.

7. To disable mail relaying on your server, login as root via ssh to your server, nano or pico to this file : /etc/mail/spamassassin/local.cf make sure you write out or copy first a backup of it before doing any modifications, make sure the lines: trusted_networks XXX.XXX.XXX.XXX will contain each in one line the ip addresses alloted to your server, so whenever someone tries to "spoof" an email message using one of your domains or your client's domains to send spam, they will be rejected because obviously they will be running it on another ip addresses. Sites like proxy sites need to be included in the banned sites when you create your (TOS) terms of services or (AUP) Accepted User Policy.

8. If your mail queue logs are sending "forged" email address using admin@yourdomain.com to someone else, chances are your SPF (Sender Policy Framework) Record is not setup, so go to http://www.openspf.org/ and set it up. In the dns report scan you've done to your domain will also show this spf record if already set up.

9. Whenever an abuse report issue is sent either thru spamcop's abuse reporting system or reported by a human being, you have 2 email addresses that you need to check everyday or at the most thrice a day to make sure you are running "clean" ip addresses.

10. The last worst case scenario that need to happen to you is to receive an actual spam abuse report from a human or from a software generated abuse reporting system setup by spamcop, it should be dealt and enforced with zero-tolerance on the abusers and all headers (within 6 monts old) need to be kept on your computer's hard drive. All abuse report's headers from humans need to be logged also, when copying and pasting a report make sure you require a valid proof such as a full header copy that you can enable on your web-based email system in the form of "show full headers" The spammer/abuser needs to be terminated and removed from your server as soon as possible and if possible hours away from an actual abuse report and need to be posted on the following groups:

news . admin . net-abuse . policy http://groups.google.com/group/news.admin.net-abuse.policy?lnk=sg

news . admin . net-abuse . misc
http://groups.google.com/group/news.admin.net-abuse.misc?lnk=sg

Thus, saying that you adhere to your zero-tolerance fight against spam and will cause your server's ip addresses to be delisted for free on most spam database lookup site while some requires some kind of a fee for it to be removed. I hope this scenario will never happen to you if you have practice steps 1 - 9. If this resource article coming from a server admin like me to a server admin/postmaster like you have proven to be beneficial and reduced your time on dealing with spammers/abusers, please drop me a line at william@nabaza.com and I appreciate it. God will give me the rest of the rewards.

Article Source: http://www.ArticleJoe.com

When it comes to effective, affordable, and quality webmaster hosting, webmaster comes to our site www.webmasterhost.net/ Please contact william@nabaza.com with Subject: Webmasterhost.net Customized Package for an affordable customized quote for your shared hosting or server hosting requirements or better visit www.webmasterhost.net/ , a division of Nabaza.com Network of Sites ( www.nabaza.com/ ) owned by: William Nabaza

10 Tips For Accurate Domain Registration

By Adrian Lawrence
These ten tips will help you to pick just the right domain name for you and/or your business.

1. The extension you select makes a statement to user about where you are and who you are aiming to attract. For example, .co.uk tells people you are operating out of the United Kingdom, and .ca tells them you are operating out of Canada. If that is important to you, then register accordingly. If you would rather give them impression of being a global company, or based in the US, then pick a .com name.

name using their information, so it becomes very difficult for you to do anything with your 2. Use a reputable registration service. Unfortunately, some domain registration services are little more than a scam. They are only middlemen. You tell them the domain name you want, and they register it, for a fee higher than you would pay! In the worst case, they actually register the domain domain name.
Do some background research into the company before you register a domain with them.

3. Use keywords in your domain name. These will sometimes help search engines in ranking your website. For example, if you sell gourmet dog treats online and from your own store, but your business name is "Laura's Homemade Snacks," you might consider two domain names: one for your business name, and one for keywords. In this case you might select "gourmetdogtreats.com" as your domain name to represent to the search engines and searchers what you are about.

4. Short names are easier to spell correctly. What's easier to remember and type in: gourmetdogtreats.com, or laurashomemadeandgourmetdogsnacks.com?

5. Avoid trademarks from other companies. Companies have been known to sue website owners for copyright and trademark infringement, so be very careful if you try to play off an existing business. Make sure that you register a domain name in good faith, and think about the possibilities and connections that might exist between you and another business.

6. Avoid hyphens. Sometimes you must use hyphens because the straightforward name is gone. In that case, a better idea is to come up with a completely different name. The problem with hyphens is that users may end up visiting the wrong site. If you try to register gourmetdogtreats.com but it is already taken, you might choose to register gourmet-dog-treats.com instead. But you run the risk of someone trying to find you typing in the first address. This means you lose business. Better to try and register a name like homemadedogtreats.com instead.

7. Consider buying several different extensions so no one else can infringe on your success by registering a similar name. For example, if you register homemadedogtreats.com, you might also take .net and .org (with the same name), since these are the most popular extensions after .com. That way, no one can register homemadedogtreats.net and try to piggyback of your success.

8. Look for companies that offer telephone support. If you have trouble with your domain name, you need to be able to contact the company and talk to someone. If there is no phone contact, that may be a sign that you are not dealing with a reputable company.

9. Look for accreditations (i.e., ICANN). Reputable companies will seek out accreditations because they know it boosts their business image to be part of a group that enforces good business ethics and practices. Failure to have an accreditation does not necessarily mean the company is bad, but it could mean that. If the company you are looking at does not have an accreditation, make sure you check for other things like phone support, payment procedures, etc.

10. After you find a company you like, do a search on Google for "domain registration." Does your company of choice appear in the first couple of pages of results, or just via Adwords? If the latter, they may not have been around for a long time and may not be reputable. A legitimate company with a solid track record will be ranked in Google's search engine, especially within the first couple of pages. Beware of registration companies that you can only find in Adwords.

These ten tips will help you as you seek to register your domain name.

Article Source: http://www.ArticleJoe.com

Adrian Lawrence is the webmaster for Discount Domains, one of the UK's leading Domain Name Registration Companies.Please feel free to republish this article provided this resource box remains intact together with a working hyperlink.