When it comes to Domain Names, we've been there, done that, now serving 101 tips in 22 categories ranging from Answer User Questions about DomainNames to URL Forwarding.
There are many cheap domain name registration companies. Average prices range anywhere from $9.00 up to $25.00. There are companies which provide free domain names if you purchase web hosting packages. The cheapest domain name registration I've seen personally is $1.99 through GoDaddy.com. Their regular price is $8.95 but several times each year they offer sales and incentives.
How long do I have to wait?! Generally, from the time you commence a domain registration and enter your domain name information and contact information, you should be able to hit your website within 72 hours.
This time period allows the name server domain information to get propagated around the internet to other name servers. Once that happens, you'll be able to reach the place your domain lives and display either your parked domain or your website.
Know the news! Weblogs and Forums are a great source of domain news. As new services come online, or people discover good toolsets that can help pinpoint domain names, you'll see discussion threads pop up online.
Often, domain name forums will offer a digest of some sort that can be received as a domain name newsletter. Visit www.domainstate.com for an example of a good domain news source.
Oh baby, you're not alone. According to the ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers), domain trends show there are over 52 Million domain names and domain information registered in the United States alone!
Don't be discouraged by the huge number. Instead, consider that every 24 hours, over 300,000 new domain names are added. When you search for your own domain name, remember there are 52 Million possibilities removed—so be patient.
Looking for domain information and only finding invalid information or a company that doesn't exist? Chances are you are getting blocked by the domain owner's privacy settings.
Domain trends show that a geometric increase of people signed up for domain privacy in 2004. If you still want to contact domain name owner, you can do so via their website information or through the privacy company.
Beware of the leopard with no spots! Domain name investment services are not a regulated industry. However, it is easy to see who provides a solid domain assessment and who does not.
If a company judges your website on a non-uniform list of criteria, or they make guarantees of large sums of money, you can bet they are not a very reliable domain name service and you should steer clear.
*Look for companies that have a good resume of domains they have worked with in the past.
Guru Spotlight |
Carma Spence-Pothitt |