Straight Talk about the Internet
What is a Domain Name?
A domain name identifies a particular site on the
Internet. Having your own domain name makes it easier
for people to remember the address of your web site.
This is ideal for business oriented web sites. Without a
domain name, your site's address would default to your
server's URL with your specific directory defined. This
can be referred to as "Directory Hosting" as in this
example: http://www.myISP.ca/mccann/
A site consisting of one or more web pages can exist in
a directory called "mccann" under the domain name "www.myISP.ca".
To make it easier to find a web site, the use of your
own domain name brands your web site and usually
provides a less bulky, or cumbersome and difficult to
remember URL, such as in this example: http://www.mccann.ca
It's important to remember that with or without your own
domain name, your site can still be indexed by search
engines. This makes it possible for Internet users to
find your site when searching for subject material
similar to that of your own site. Proper use of keywords
in your web page code and in the process of search
engine submissions will improve the chances of someone
finding your site.
So, do I need my own Domain Name?
If your web site is business oriented, it is becoming
increasingly important and advisable to have your own
domain name. Some search engines may in fact give it
more precedence. There is an annual fee paid to a
registrar in maintaining a domain name and often there
is an additional one-time fee levied by host companies
for setting up a domain name on a server. Some companies
like McCann & Cambrian waive the set-up fee. Costs
related to obtaining your own domain name are generally
very reasonable and over a long period of time,
insignificant.
What is the difference between Domain Names that end
in ".com", ".org", or ".ca"?
.COM, .NET, .ORG, .CA, etc. are top level domains in the
hierarchical Domain Name System. These top level domains
are just underneath the "root", which is the start of
the hierarchy. Each classifies the web site owner's
status as commercial, network, organization, or
Canadian, respectively. Other top level domains can
depict government and educational organizations. It
should be stated however that in light of the demand for
names, top level domains are selected based on
availability regardless of the type or nature of
organization. The respective authorities for each top
level domain set regulations that govern the use and
availability of names. For instance, Canadian Domain
Names (.ca) are controlled by the Canadian Internet
Registration Authority (CIRA) and as such does not
permit non-Canadian organizations the use of .ca names.
It also reserves municipal names for the use of
respective townships, etc.
How are Domain Names obtained?
Canadian domain names are registered through the
Canadian Internet Registration Authority at http://www.cira.ca.
To reserve, register or re-register a Canadian domain
name, you must employe the services of a CIRA certified
registrar. A registrar is an agent acting as a middle
person. Until recently Canadian domain names were
registered through the CA Domain Registrar at http://www.CDNnet.ca
based at the University of British Columbia. Names were
also obtained free of charge, but the overwhelming
demand for Canadian domain names has resulted in the
need for a whole new system. Certified registrars are
located across Canada to distribute the work load and
each will levy a competitve fee for services.
Although there is a cost, comparable to ".com" fees,
there are few rules and more liberties allowed in the
choosing of a Canadian name. Complete information and a
list of Registrars can be found at CIRA's web site.
.COM, .NET, .ORG and .CA domains can be registered
through various services acting as fully accredited
registrars, or as agents operating under a licence
agreement on behalf of an accredited registrar.
McCann & Cambrian is a Registration Service Provider (RSP)
participating in the OpenSRS program.
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