Buying Domain Names Like a Pro

If you want to be taken seriously as an online presence, domain name registration is a necessity. You can choose a domain name and register it through many different domain name registrars, but from there it can get tricky. The original registrar will create a record on its domain name servers to tell other computers where to find your website address. Once you choose a web hosting company, you'll have to get the DNS record switched over to your new host, which can be confusing if you've never done it before.

The easier way is to choose a web hosting company and register for a web hosting account that includes a free domain name registration as part of the account package. Registering a new domain name - especially registering your first domain name - that way streamlines the process so that you don't have to worry about switching name servers and adjusting the records - the web hosting company does it all for you. You just tell them your desired domain name and the tech folks at the company will do the rest.

Before you take the plunge, though, be sure to ask the web host whether they register a domain name under your name or theirs. Some companies register all domains under their own name, which can become a problem if you're dissatisfied with your hosting experience and decide to move your website to another host. When the domain name is registered in your name, you control where the site is hosted. If the web hosting company registers it under their own name, they hold the control. If you want to move your site to another host, you may have to pay for them to release it. If you've spent time building up your web site visibility, or have invested in advertising materials that feature your website address, it can feel like your domain name is being held hostage. Avoid the issue altogether by asking up front what their policy is when a customer wants to move a domain registered through them to another hosting company.

In addition to control of your own domain name, you should look for a number of other features in a web hosting company. Find a host that offers a full package, including storage, email servers, databases and easy installation of blogs, photo albums, content management systems and other popular website features - all for one low, monthly price. Avoid a la carte packages, which may seem lower at first glance but charge you extra for basics like email servers, blog setup, databases and access to applications like blogs, content management systems, photo albums and email forwarders.

While you're at it, choose a web hosting company that allows you to host multiple domains under one hosting account. Once you understand how easy it is to set up your own website, you may decide that you need more than one. While most hosts only include one free domain name with a web hosting account, many will allow you to add additional domain and host other websites on your account. In most cases, you can register a domain name through any registrar and host it on your current account at no additional cost.

How To Point A Domain Name To A Website Hosting Account

Once you register a domain name, you need to point it to your hosting account in order for your website to display. How is this achieved? It's not all that difficult.

Pointing a domain name is also known as "delegation". A couple of other examples of jargon you'll need to know about in connection with delegation are the terms are "name server" or "DNS server"; which are essentially the same thing.

A DNS (short for Domain Name System) server translates a name into numbers. You add your website host's name server numbers to your domain name's settings. That tells the Internet browser or other application where to search for the website for the related domain. At the other end, the web hosting server receives the request, looks at which name it is associated with on the server, searches for and then retrieves the right pages. All this happens automatically and incredibly quickly.

Each domain name needs to have the details of 2 name servers recorded. These are known as primary and secondary DNS servers. The secondary setting is there just in case the primary server is not functioning or is inundated with requests.

So, how do you get these DNS server details?

When you opened your website hosting account, your host probably provided the details in a "welcome" email. The DNS server details will usually follow this sort of format:

ns1.srv2320.com.au (primary DNS or name server)
ns2.srv2320.com.au (secondary DNS or name server)

If you no longer have these details, just ask your web host for them - they may even be listed on their web site.

You'll then need to visit your domain registrar and log into your domain name administration interface. When logged in, search for options such as "delegation" or "nameserver" - try the domain registrar's help or search feature if these aren't apparent.

In the nameserver editing screen, there should be 2 or more boxes where you enter the nameserver details. Note that only the first 2 need to be entered in most cases, the rest can be left blank. Be sure that the primary DNS server goes n the first box and the secondary in the second.

With that done, save the changes and you should be set.

Bear in mind that it can take up to 24 hours for the new information to propagate throughout the Internet. During this "propagation" window, in some locations your domain name will be linked to your website hosting account and in other location it may not be until later on during this phase. Once this 24 hour time frame is over, the name should be fully associated with your web hosting account from any point on the planet. Author Resource:- Michael Bloch currently consults for Domain Registration Services, an Australian registrar - start your domain name search or review their website hosting plans.