What is a Domain Name?

What is a Domain Name?
In the offline business, the moment we open a shop, we need to have a name for our shop. Similarly, in the online business, your domain name is the location of your website.
People will only able to visit your website, once they know your domain name or address. For example:
www.google.com (google.com is the domain name)
www.yahoo.com (yahoo.com is the domain name)
www.abc.com (abc.com is the domain name)

Whenever we use the Web or send an e-mail message, we usually type the domain name in the browser. Typing the URL "http://www.google.com" in the browser will produce a Google website.

A domain name is also an alias for an IP address. What is an IP address then? An IP address is a numeric code that represents where to look through the internet for your website. An example of an IP address would be 192.168.0.101. Rather than typing this “192.168.0.101” IP address in the browser; a domain name will be more preferable and easily remembered to access the same site.

So the next step is to pick your domain name and register it. Choosing a domain name for your website is an important decision. You simply think up a domain name that suits your website theme. You can have “dot com”, “dot org”, “dot net”, whatever you prefer. The "dot com" domain is still the most widely popular, and the preferred domain of choice. ) The criteria for choosing your domain name:
•Avoid putting your company name, as it does not make sense unless your company is well known and established such as Google or Yahoo.
•Avoid putting your domain name too long. We want people to easily remember your domain name so that they can come again visit your website.
•Avoid putting dashes in your domain name.
•Put your main keywords in your domain name.
For example : http://www.goarticles.com ; http://www.ezinearticles.com

Where to register your domain name?
Once you have decided to give your website a domain name; you have to check whether the required domain name is available or not. At times, the required domain names had already been taken so you have to give an alternative domain name. It is recommended that to register at http://www.Daddy.com; or at http://www.domainsatretail.com for cheap domain registration and excellent customer service.

How much is the cost of registration?
Usually the cost of registration is between US7.95 – US14.40 per year depending on a domain name; Dot com, dot org, dot net, whatever you choose.

How to find out who owns that particular domain?
You can quickly check all the information that you want at http://www.onewhois.com.
The addresses, phone and e-mail addresses for the people who own the domain are listed.
-Abdul