Things You Need To Know About Domain Names

If you are planning to create a website for your business, one of the first things you need to do is to decide on a domain name. While some people may think it is easy to choose a domain name, it is somewhat challenging a domain name since there are several factors to consider. But before going through these factors let us take a look at what a domain name is.

What is a Domain Name?

A domain name is the name of a website. It is your online address and allows users to find you on the internet. When you create a website, the website is found inside a server that has an IP address. An IP address is a set of numbers that is unique to a computer connected to the internet. When internet users look for your website, their devices are looking for the IP address of your website. But since humans find it difficult in memorizing numbers, domains names are used. A domain name can be the name of your business or it can be a combination of letters and numbers. It is your unique identity on the internet. Domain names also enhance your credibility and reputation online.

It is necessary to register a domain name before you can use it. When you register a domain name, you should make sure you are the registered owner of the domain. If you are the registered owner of the domain, you will have full control over the domain name.

Why is it Important to Control your Domain Name?

When you register your domain name, you should make sure it is registered under your name or you are its registered owner. If you are not the registered owner of the domain name, issues may emerge in the future. For instance, you may decide to have the domain name is registered under the name of your web developer. If your web developer decides to leave the company without giving you a heads up, you will not know if the domain name registration is already expiring since you cannot log into the account.

The web developer you hired may even make changes on the website without your consent. A developer managing websites with a significant volume of incoming traffic may also be tempted to hold the website hostage unless you give in to demands of a higher rate. While you may want to replace the web developer, the new developer will still have no access to your website since the login details are with the previous developer.

Due to this you should always verify if the domain name is registered under your name. To ensure you are the owner of the domain name, you should register it yourself. There are several domain name registrars on the internet. These registrars also offer hosting services for your website.

How to Avoid Losing Control of Your Domain Name?

There may be instances when you are the registered owner of the domain name, but end up losing control since you were not able to renew the registration on time. In these instances, you must renew the registration before it expires. While you may receive email notifications, you should not rely too much on them. You should be know the expiration date of the registration and renew it before this date.

Other Things to Keep In Mind

• One important thing to keep in mind about domain names is that they are not free. You need to pay a domain name registrar before you can use it.
• You need a hosting account for your website. While some hosting companies offer free hosting services, you should be cautious when dealing with these companies. You should check if these companies will charge you after using their free services for a specific period.
• Reputable hosting companies do not normally offer free hosting services. While the cost of getting their services may be high, they may offer a better deal for you since you will not encounter any issues in the future.

While you may be tempted to turn over control of your website to a web developer, it is still important for you to retain control of the domain name since it is an important component of the online presence of your business.