This section deals only with suggestions
on choosing a domain name. For more about domain names, see What
is a Domain Name. To register a domain name, see Domain
Names Management.
First Considerations
Decide on your actual name. If available
for registration, your domain name should be as similar as possible to
your business name. However, a catchy phrase or slogan can also help
"brand" your web site making it easy for your visitors to recall its address.
Consider using words that are not commonly misspelled or have multiple
forms of spelling. Although commonly used, you might consider avoiding
the use of hyphens. These can be a source of confusion or misrepresentation
through oral means of communicating your web site's address. To check
on the availability of a domain name , see Look
Up a Domain Name.
Select your Top-Level Form
Your next task is to determine which top-level
domain extension (.com, .net, .org, .ca, etc.) to choose. An extension
represents the respective web site's nature or type. In the early
days of the Internet, these extensions would have been used more discretly,
but due to the rapid growth of the World Wide Web and the fact that thousands
of web site addresses are granted each day, individuals and companies are
utilizing any extension that is available to complete the registration
for the desired name.
The following chart outlines the nature
and meaning behind each extension. Keep in mind there are a number
of nationally designated top level domains around the world. As well,
more top level domains are being added to broaden the scope of identiity
and to cope with the ever increasing demand for new and available domain
names. Such examples include ".tv", ".info" and ".biz".
| Top
Level |
Description |
| .ca |
Top Level domain designated for Canadian
entities |
| .com |
Top level domain originally intended for
"commercial" entities. One of the worldwide top level domain, in which
any person or organization may register a domain name |
| .edu |
Top level domain designated for four-year,
degree-granting colleges and universities |
| .gov |
Top level domain designated for agencies
and branches of the United States Federal Government. State and local governments
in the United States should use the us top level country code domain |
| .mil |
Top level domain designated for United
States military entities |
| .net |
Top level domain designated for entities
and computers that represent part of the Internet's infrastructure. Originally
intended for use by Network Information Centers (NICs), Network Operations
Centres (NOCs), administrative computers (such as a name server) and network
node computers. One of the worldwide top level domains |
| .org |
Top level domain designated for miscellaneous
entities that do not fit under any of the other top level domains. Typically
used for non-profit organizations. One of the worldwide top level domains |
Choosing a Registration Service
Knowing the name and which top-level domain
extension you want now leads to selecting a company which provides domain
name registration services - a registrar. In registering a domain
name you become the registrant. McCann & Cambrian E-Media Services
is a Registration Service Provider and as such can register top-level domains
including .com, .net, .org and .ca. See Domain
Names Management.
The minimal time period for a domain name
registration is one year. The maxium is 10 years, however the domain
name owner always has the right to renew a name and therefore can hold
on to it indefinitely.
First
Steps | Name
Selection | Resources
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