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[D567]Domain Name And Hosting

by Suegold, Sue

A domain is a name that identifies IP addresses on the internet. The domain name Yahoo.com represents about fifteen (15) IP addresses. Domain names are used to identify Web pages. For example, in the URL www.gohome.com/index.html, the domain name is gohome.com.
You register a domain name by registering with a domain name services registrar. The domain name industry is regulated and overseen by ICANN, which is an organization responsible for providing standards and procedures for certifying companies as domain name registrars.
Domain name registration has grown over the years. Network Solutions was the first domain name registrar to ever provide such a service. That was over ten years ago but today there are many accredited registrars.
Only a domain name registrar is permitted to access and modify the master database domains that are on InterNIC servers. The fee is determined by the registrar as far as getting a domain name and some registers have special domain name packages.
Do You Really Need a Domain Name?
You use a domain name to create an identity on the World Wide Web and domain names can also be used for branding purposes, such as Wal-Mart, K-Mart, etc. In picking a domain name, the title shouldn't stray far from what your company is all about. This will allow you to market your web-site as a subsidiary of your business and put your domain name on business cards and advertisements.
Once you select a domain name, you must register it with a domain name registrar. This is a task you can do easily. Many ISPs offer a complete package that includes hosting and the registering of the domain name for you. Fees probably will include a one time set-up fee for all of the backend technical work that needs to be accomplished. Then pay your service provider a monthly, semi-annual or annual fee for Web site hosting services.
Many domain registrar services have competent online tools to help you get your domain name and hosting site up and running.
Using Managed Dedicated Web Hosting
Managed dedicated web hosting is for an individual or company that wants storage and bandwidth without the restrictions that you get by choosing a free web hosting service. If you have a site which you want to have more bells and whistles programmed into it, then managed dedicated hosting is the way to go.
Dedicated services give you more email addresses, sometimes up to 500 addresses. It also has storage to support basic database applications on the server side of the web host. This allows for the development of applications that enable you to store data on the server side also and have queries and other types of program and programming scripts embedded into your web-site.
But the key to these kinds of servers are the bandwidth that's available to the user. Monthly bandwidth can range from 500 to 1000GB for the user.
That's good for your basic SOHO business or home office because if you're running a small audio or flash application or database on your site, this type of hosting service should do just fine. Also, you can assign the other email accounts to co-workers, family members or whoever you want to.
When you are running web applications over 1,000GB, that's when you should consider steeping up your web hosting package. There are various types of web plans based on the types of internet applications that you are developing for your business. For example, if you are developing online streaming video content for your site, then you might want to go past the 1000GB limit on your account and get more bandwidth.
As a SOHO or company grows, the need for more bandwidth is paramount especially if you have an intranet in your office or you have people accessing the back end of your web-site to load data from various locations.
Dedicated web hosting is what the majority of individuals and small businesses use until they start growing out of their bandwidth. They usually upgrade their web hosting packages and buy more storage and bandwidth.

Your domain name is the internet address for your unique place on the web, thus undeniably important. It creates your identify and allows you to have an internet presence, whether you are just telling the world who you are or trying to sell a product or service. IP (Internet Protocol) addresses are strings of numbers separated by dots and, although every computer on the internet has one, would be very difficult to remember. Domain names make internet communication much easier.

But domain names are especially important considerations for successful eCommerce. A name that is easy to remember, and easy to spell, can make the difference between a compelling presence on the internet and wandering around in the fog of cyberspace. Domain names are as important to the eCommerce entrepreneur as store names were to Mom and Pop Shops a century ago. They are descriptive labels that tell the shopper what to expect on the site.

Domain names need to relate to the product or service you offer. For obvious reasons, domain names that don't apply to content have absolutely no value to the company. In fact, they can effectively shut down the cyber-shopper from considering any future business with you. Descriptive domain names draw surfers who are just ‘window shopping' and you have a greater chance of converting them into buyers. Other eCommerce business will develop back-links to your site more readily if they can recognize you from your domain name.

Domain names, if appropriately descriptive about your service or product, are an effective branding tool. You want every shopper in the world to know about your content, and to think about you when your industry is mentioned. Branding is the way that global symbol is created. A domain name describing your business reinforces your brand and makes it easier for shoppers to remember you and return to shop on your site.

Probably most important, domain names evoke a sense of professionalism and credibility for eCommerce. Having a web site with a compelling domain name says you know enough about the real world in the 21st century to have a presence in cyberspace, to invite shoppers to visit your site and to offer viable products and services to cyber-consumers. You are willing to relate with the international community and identify your place on the web and in the global market.

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Both Suegold & Sharon Elrod are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Suegold has sinced written about articles on various topics from Information Technology, Aquarium Fish and Work From Home. The author Lynda Melbal is the manager of a , which is a categorized, human edited web directory where you can find the best. Suegold's top article generates over 246000 views. to your Favourites.

Sharon Elrod has sinced written about articles on various topics from Education, Internet Marketing and About Web Hosting. A clients is a significant part of building a website with. Sharon Elrod's top article generates over 22200 views. to your Favourites.