What’s in a Name?  By Jennifer Walling

What’s in a name? Everything and nothing. The domain name is the address people type in their browser to get to your website. To use a specific name, you must have that domain registered to you. One of my registered domains, for example, is FlyingArts.com . Because I “own” the name, when you type it in to your browser it will take you to my website.

If you picture web browsing like mail service, you can call the domain the person’s name on the envelope. This is attached to a DNS (Domain Name Server), which can be compared to the zip code on the envelope. It helps guide the browser to it’s destination. The DNS lives on an IP (Internet Protocol) number. Internet Protocol numbers are the street addresses. Unlike your street address, however, IP addresses are not always static. Meaning, depending on the your web hosting service, you may not always have the exact same IP number. This is where the DNS comes in. It helps locate the site behind the scenes. (All of this information is a bit technical, but it may help to give you an idea of the way your domain name is located on the internet.)

This late in the domain registration game, there is a very good chance that your perfect domain name is no longer available. So take the time to brainstorm up a few ideas and alternatives for yourself. It is suggested to try and get your domain name registered as soon as possible. You don’t need to have a hosting place yet, but if you are seriously going to build a presence, service or business on the web, register your domain name. Do this before you do anything else.

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