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What's in a Domain Name?

Peter Nikic
What's in a Domain Name?

Haven't registered your own domain name yet? No problem. You did register it, right? but have no idea what to do next? No problem. Wait, you registered your domain name but you don't seem to have any control over it? That's a problem.

First, let's try and understand what a domain name is. Simply, a domain name is like a telephone number. You cannot, ever get a telephone number that someone else is already using. Every single telephone number has to be unique. Otherwise when you call someone, how else can the telephone company ensure that you reach the person you intended to call?

The domain name works the same way, only it is on the Internet. If you enter the address www.activerain.com, you are guaranteed to reach this site. So if it's that simple, why are we having so many problems with this?

Remember when we only had one telephone company? If you wanted to get a phone, you called "The Telephone Company", we didn't have any other options. Now however, we have a whole bunch of options. There are dozens of companies for all categories of calling (business, local, long distance, wireless, VOIP, etc.) Today, getting a phone is more complex than ever.

As simple as domain names are, it seems more complex because the Internet and computers are still relatively new to most of us. In addition, there are thousands of companies who want to provide service for you. So where do we start? Many of us have no idea what to do except what some service provider is telling us that is best for us. In reality, we don't know if it's best for us or best for them.

My suggestion, if you have not already registered a domain name. Go to a Domain Name Registrar, this is a company dedicated to providing domain names and holding them in a Domain Name Server (DNS). Their primary business should be to do just that. Here's a list of just a few Domain Name Registrars (there are many others):

enom.com
godaddy.com
networksolutions.com
register.com

I like register.com for researching. If the name you are looking to register has already been taken, they recommend a list of similar names that are available to register or buy. They also provide a "whois" link, which tells you who owns the domain name (in case you're interested). Godaddy.com seems to be very popular these days, I've never used them, but I'm sure they are one of the better ones and should have everything you need to register a domain name.

Now that you have a registered domain name, what do you do? The most important thing is to maintain control and ownership of your new domain name. Don't give out your username and password to anyone, treat it like your house key. There will never be a need for anyone else to keep it, use it, move it, etc.

There are 2 other major components of a website. One is, "who will build your website?" and the second is "who will host it?" Neither of these 2 things have anything to do with ownership and registering your domain name. Your domain name should be residing at some independent Domain Name Server (DNS) that is controlled by you.

3 major components of a website:

Domain Name - you should always maintain control of this regardless of who the website builder or website hosting company.

Website Builder - webmaster - this could be you or anyone who knows how to design & build websites.

Website Host - server which stores all of your web pages - this is a computer which physically resides anywhere in the world and provides your website pages when people enter your domain name.

Process of getting to a website:

Enter a web address ex: activerain.com

Your browser sends a message to the DNS (Domain Name Server)

The DNS knows where the website is residing and connects you to the web hosting company server

The web hosting company sends the webpage to your computer

The website is now displayed on your browser

And you thought it was hard? There really is a lot going on, but all of this happens at lightning fast speed at the click of a mouse. Any other questions about domain names? just ask.

Finding a webmaster: when you see websites that you like, ask who the webmaster is. If you know some one who is good, let us know.

Finding a hosting company: I use Aplus.net, but there are many other great web hosting companies. Ask friends and if you could recommend one, let us know.

- Print This Blog -

Peter Z. Nikic

Licensed Real Estate Broker
& Investor (NY)

Contact: Peter@Nikic.com
Tel:(914) 804-0037

Posted by Peter Nikic - Pleasantville, NY on 04/17/2008 04:45 PM

Comments (37)

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37 Comments on What's in a Domain Name?

APR

2008

Peter. That was some good information. I never knew all of this. Thanks, Keith..

Keith - no problem, glad you got something out of it. if you have any specific questions, don't hesitate to ask.

APR

2008

old school you are

yes Jeff, I am old school.

So much to learn, so little time...

Peter, this is good. Great information is welcomed by those who are on AR. So many people here share, share, share! I purchase my domain names through 1@1.com. They are less money and offer same or similar services as does GoDaddy.

Teri - thanks, I'll check out 1@1.com.

Amy - take your time, don't try and learn it all at once (there is a lot know).

APR

2008

Peter - Thank you so much! Your page was exactly what I was looking for. Defiantly answered all of my questions. I keep you informed on how I do. Terrie

Terrie - you're very welcome. if you have any other questions, please feel free to contact me.

APR

2008

Peter: Everyone needs to have their own domain name. I find GoDaddy to be my favorite

Thank you for explaining everything so well! You even made it easy for blondes to understand! I especially loved your analogy of your domain name is like a telephone number. I hope you do another post on something that's confusing to non-techies trying to survive the tech world

Windy, no problem. I always beleived that when you teach someone, it's important to keep it as simple and relevent as possible. I did write another post on domain names being the real estate of the 21st century, if you want to read it.

Roland, thank you. I've never used godaddy, but I get the sense that it's the best (or at least one of the best out there).

Hi Peter, OMG my head is spinning. I try to keep up with all this tech-gadge stuff. I have a website through C21. Would I be able to register that domain name.? Should I be starting up my own and then what happens to the old C21 one. If my sphere of influence knows where I am with that banner. Then If I change it now with this fallening market will I disappear. I am stressing it all. I have no clue where to go. So far activerain is my start. HELP... Thanks Belle

APR

2008

Belle, welcome to AR (that's activerain). don't panic, there are a lot of people here at active rain that would be more than happy to help you. I'll give you a call soon to talk about your domain name.

APR

2008

I love the way you explained everything, simple for the novice, like me. Thanks

Everything is in a domain name. That is the key. My domain name is now priceless for my business. Find a good one and market it.

Can a person have too many domain names? A friend recently told me there's no need to have so many, but after hearing about the guy who bought pizza.com years ago for $20 and just sold it for approx. $2 million... I'm thinking maybe it's not such a bad idea to have more than one... especially good ones.

Denise O'Dell

APR

2008

Thank you for this! I have a simple webpage, but not much control over it. Boo. It is simple and a learning experience for me. It's a brave new world. So, first thing to consider (before I order new cards) is a domain name. I'm going to have to take baby steps, but at least I'm going to step. You're definitely an encourager.

Doris - I'm glad you think it's simple, that was my intent. I think the simpler, the better.

Dave - great point! once it's yours, "everything is in a domain name"

Denise - did you read my "domain names are the real estate of the 21st century"? can you possibly own too much real estate? you are limited to what's left (many/most great names are already gone) and how much you can afford to carry. also, just be careful not to register trademarked names (yes, even if they're available). I have about 70 domain names that I've had for as much as 10 years.

June - the Internet is a new world for all of us. I can tell you from personal experience, do not be afraid to pioneer, this country is what it is, because of pioneering. go slow if you have to, but go!

I am new user for this group

Vishal, welcome, thanks for visiting.

APR

2008

Thanks Peter ~I just got through reading your "real estate of the 21st century." Another great post! BTW: How can I find out if a domain name I registered is trademarked? Also, I'm curious as to how you get an email address with yourfirstname@yourlastname?

Denise - thank you. I just did a search and found several sites. try: http://www.uspto.gov/main/trademarks.htm this is a gov site so it should be free. if in doubt, I say register it but when confronted by a major corporation don't try and fight them.

As far as the email address: you have to register your last name, which I did a long time ago, your last name is already registered (and in use) by:

Silva, James jims@JSTECHNOLOGIES.COM
JS Technologies
8912 Chinaberry Ln Concord, NC 28027 US
704 795-1215 fax: 704 414-1943

unfortunately your email (first@lastname.com) is not an option. I suggest you marry a man with an unusual last name. check to see if his last name is available before you commit though:-)

APR

2008

Thanks for the info Peter... and you're very funny! lol

Denise - I just had another idea, change your last name to Nikic, I will give you a free email. btw, the "c" has a "ch" sound (Nikich), you should know how to pronounce it if you decide to take it:-)

denise@nikic.com hmmm...there's a nice ring to it;-)

JUN

2008

Hi Peter - Go Daddy has been my domain host of choice. You gave us lots of good information - Thanks.

Great information, Thanks for sharing.

have A Great Day

JUN

2008

Pam, I hear that godaddy is good. It looks good to me, but I've been using others that I'm perfectly happy with since way before godaddy.

Doris, you are welcome, thanks for visiting.

JUN

2008

I setup a lot real estate website property websites etc for clients. As you said domain registration is simple. I have two caveat though.

1. Setup your own domain names! So many of my clients setup their domain name through another provider, who then needs to be tracked down to handle simple things like email forwards. Worse yet, if that person lets time slip by and your domain expires you entire business can be turned upside down if someone else registers it.

2. Godaddy.com is the juggernaut. They have the name recognition and the advertising, but their site does way more than simple domain registration. With all the cross sold products there are alot of distractions and often people endup spending way too much money on auxilary services they don't need and don't use. Plus I got a bit burned by their systems once on a clients email, so they fell considerably in my regards.

JUN

2008

Craig, Thanks for your comments. I didn't know anything about the email handles. The two domain name regristrars that I've used (www.register.com and www.enom.com), don't have anything to do with emails. Thank you for pointing out expirations/renewals, enom.com has automatic renewals to prevent expiration so I never have to think about it. They also send me an email a couple of weeks before telling me wether a name is going to automatically re-new or expire.

People seem to love godaddy. I've never used it, so I can't say anything negative about it. I could see what you mean about excessive auxiliary services. This is also why I like to use a registrar whos business is just registering domain names, so that you're not constatntly bombarded with services that you don't need.