Choosing a Domain Name
Your domain name identifies your business on the Internet. It should promote your brand effectively and make the nature of your product or service clear to potential customers.
Tags: Starting Out, Domain Names
This article aims to help you understand the different categories of domain names and gives some
advice on choosing, registering and protecting your domain name
Domain Names Explained
There are many domain names on offer and more are being made available all the time. Domains are split into three categories:
- Generic Top Level Domains (gTLDs): These are not linked to any country and include the familiar and popular
domain names .com, .org and .net., as well as the relatively new .aero, .biz, .coop, .info, .museum, .name, and .pro.
- Country Code Top Level Domain Names (ccTLDs): Every country has its own domain and its own set of rules
regulating these names. For example, the United Kingdom uses .uk, while Ireland uses .ie and France .fr.
- Second-Level Domain Names (SLDs): Some countries have introduced a second-level hierarchy that indicates the
type of organization. In the UK there is .co.uk for businesses, as well as .net.uk for internet
service providers (ISPs) and .sch.uk for schools.
Choosing a Domain Name
Choosing a domain name is one of the most important decisions you will make when you decide to trade online. It may be necessary to buy not just one domain name, but several. But which should you choose? Sadly the decision may have been made for you if someone else has already purchased the domain you require. However, if you are a UK company only selling to the UK then it is advisable for you to purchase a .co.uk domain. Similarly if you are selling to an international audience then a .com is advisable. If the domain you want is not available you may have to go with other extensions such as .uk.com, .org, .net, or .eu.com.
It is advisable for British business to register both .co.uk and .com addresses, both of which identify the owner as a business, with .co.uk specifically identifying a British business. Even if you don't use the .co.uk name it will keep others from copying your name and protect you from the competition. In theory the more variations you own the better your chance of maintaining the brand as yours, and yours only.
What will my Domain Name Cost?
There are a variety of packages on offer. Some are cheaper than others, but look out for what other services are included (for example, registration fees and support service fees).
There is a great deal of variation in the cost of domain names, depending (to some extent) on levels of service and support. Typical prices for a domain name registration are:
- .com: £9 to £15 (one year)
- .co.uk: £5 to £10 (two years)
- .org: £9 to £15 (one year)
- .net: £9 to £15 (one year)
Renewal fees are normally the same as the initial registration fee.
Dispute Resolution
If you register a domain in your name then you will be classed as the holder, or registrant. This means that you have rights over the name until the date your registration expires. These rights can be taken away only if somebody else has greater rights to the name, such as the holder of a trademark which is the same, or very similar to, the domain name.
If you have any concerns, contact your registration agent or ISP. You can read about domain name dispute resolution at the Nominet and ICANN websites (links below).
Domain Name Scams
As a domain name owner, you should be aware of scams which have misled businesses into paying hundreds for a service that should only cost a few pounds.
One scenario is where you receive a phone call from a company who says they have been contacted by someone trying to register a domain name that relates to your business. They will ask if you want to buy the name, for an exorbitant fee, to prevent the other party from registering it. However, domain names are registered instantly and registrars do not check trademarks or company names. There is no such thing as "trying" to register a domain name, you simply register it or you don't, almost always online and at a low cost.
A second scenario is where you receive a letter from a company you have never done business with, which says that a domain you own is about to expire and you need to pay them to renew it for you. This scam can be convincing because the domain name will be one that you really do own and actually is close to expiring. However, the record of domain names, owners, and expiry dates is public so it is easy for companies to send letters of this type. If you fall for this scam you will find that you have paid well over market rates, and also unwittingly transferred the domain into the scammers control - potentially occurring additional fees for any future changes. Be aware that registry Nominet UK has started sending out genuine letters when .uk domains are not renewed, but these make it clear you should contact the registrar you originally used to renew the domain cheaply.
More Information
Registrars:
123-reg.co.uk | 1&1 Internet | Active 24 | UK2.net
Nominet UK - registry for .uk internet names
ICANN - registry for generic top level domains
Nominet Dispute Resolution
ICANN Dispute Resolution
Domain Name Scams
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About the Author
Dpivision.com Ltd is a Newcastle-based software development and web design studio. They specialise in web design, software development, and eCommerce solutions - and have developed the award-winning TradingEye ShopBuilder entry-level web store solution.
