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Domain tips

June 24th, 2008

Lately we’ve had more and more clients ask us about emails or bills they have received asking them to “reserve their domains” or to purchase a particular domain for an unreasonable amount because they have someone else interested in that particular name.  If you’ve seen this kind of thing going around, then like so many other business owners, you’ve been targeted by a scammer. If you read the quick post we placed on the feed yesterday you know that the FTC in the US just recently shut down a Canadian company that was scamming small businesses in this manner.

So what do you do? Read on.

Lets say you’ve never registered a domain name for your company – you might not even know what a domain does – but you do know you don’t want someone else ever taking your name online. You might be thinking, “I’ve never gotten one of these scam letters so I’ve got plenty of time, right?” Actually, the answer is a resounding NO! In fact, domain names are getting so competitive online now that in recent years new domains name spaces have been created in addition to the usual .com, .ca, .net, .org, etc. For example, many domain registrars are now taking orders for the newly created .me domains. So the answer to the question of when to register a domain name is NOW! The sooner the better!

Let’s look at some commonly asked questions we receive about buying domain names.

What if I don’t have a website to go with the domain? Should I still look to buy a domain name now?
Absolutely! Buy the name and then you have it secured for when you do create a website. When you are ready, look for a reputable company like Point Click to help you out.

What do I need to look for when choosing a domain name?
First and foremost, is it easy to remember? A simple domain will aid recall for your potential clients after seeing your advertisements.

Another good idea is to look at purchasing some of the most common spelling mistakes for your domain.  This will both make it harder for others to buy names close to yours to pick up on lost traffic, as well as increasing your traffic by getting those users who misspell your domain name.

How much will a domain name cost?
This can vary depending on whether the name you want is available through normal channels, ie through a reputable dealer, or if the domain is being resold privately or through other firms. Most domains can be secured for approximately $10 per year. Yes, it’s a recurring fee every year but some companies will let you register for multiple years at a time. For the rest, the sky is the limit!

How can I find out if the name I want is available and can I purchase it on my own?
Checking the availability of a domain name is easy! Simply pick a reputable registrar such as Netfirms for Canadian domains or Goddaddy.com in the U.S., and they should have a search function (normally on their front page) to find the domain you are looking for. You can purchase these domains right on these sites with a credit card, if they are available, and in most cases you will even be given complimentary basic email service to go with the domain.

What do I do if the domain I want is taken?
There are two options: find another name, or contact the owner of the taken domain to see if they will sell it to you. Most registrars have the option to lookup the owner of a taken domain right on their site.

I’ve bought my domain. Now what?
If you have a website and a hosting agreement already in place, then it’s time to point your new domain to the appropriate nameservers and put your domain on all your marketing materials. If you don’t have a site, simply leaving the page empty is an option but we recommend having a small “landing page” so your webname is at least pointing people to your business for more information.

Nameservers, and other techno mumbo jumbo…. Can I get someone else to take care of this?
You sure can! We here at Point Click Media Productions have helped many companies wade through all the techno jumble and everything involved in the domain process – what name to choose, how many to choose, and what variations to choose to get the best traffic. We offer full domain help for all our web site and company branding packages.

Don’t need all that? No problem! We can help you with just the domain.  And if you decide you want to build that site later, we’ll always be here.

Have any other questions about domains – or websites, or corporate branding? We would be happy to answer any and all of your questions. Check out our Contact Us page to find out how to get in touch.

Most importantly, don’t pay any attention to those domain name scams flooding your Inbox. Let your spam filters take care of them and let a real professional help you out.

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Posted in Tips and Tricks on June 24th, 2008

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