A domain name is an Internet or web-based name that makes it easy for users to find your site. In reality, your domain name, or in other words your computer's address, is a complex string of numbers that people would find difficult to remember and annoying to key in. Fortunately, the Domain Name System (DNS) allows computers to convert these numbers into letters and numbers that people find easier to understand and remember. Acquiring a domain name was once quite expensive, but cheap domain names are now readily available.

Domain names were expensive in the early days of the Internet, because they were available from only one organisation, Network Solutions, operating through an exclusive government contract. At one time, domain names cost ₤100 or more. By 1998, however, the massive growth of the Internet led to the formation of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), a private sector, non-profit organisation formed by a combination of global Internet interests. With deregulation came cheap domain names, because one of ICANN's main aims was the encouragement of greater competition in the domain registration industry. There are now many competitors and, depending on the provider, domain names are now priced at around ₤5-₤10 a year, a far cry from the expensive prices that formerly prevailed.

Even before the advent of cheap domain names, a domain name was considered essential for major businesses. Customers now expect businesses to have easily accessible websites. Without a domain name, a business website is less easy to find and has a less professional appearance. With the availability of cheap domain names providing even greater incentive to secure your own domain name, registration also gives you the benefits of having such information as your company's name or product names made easy for prospective customers to find. This is because the domain name you register is associated with the computer you specify, allowing you to reach Internet users through your website.

When obtaining a domain name, your best option is to select an accredited registrar or obtain a recommendation for an existing provider. While domain name registering is quick and easy, you should take some time to shop around and consider the many choices available. As well as comparing the prices of cheap domain names, you should be careful to see what other advantages are on offer, such as customer service.

Cheap domain names can bring in a lot of business if they are chosen carefully. With thousands being registered daily, the choice of name may require a little thought to make sure it is as effective as possible. Try to create a name that has a number of qualities such as being easy to remember, attention getting, and relevant to the product or service you are providing. Don't forget, too, that the inclusion of keywords has the potential to improve your site's ranking in connection with the results returned by search engines.

If you want to register a domain name with a well-known ending such as .com or .net, as well as. aero, .biz, .com, .coop, .info, .museum, .name, .org or .pro, you can do so through one of the many competing registrars accredited by ICANN. You will need to provide the registrar of your choice with contact and technical information. The technical information will go to a central registry from where it will be provided to other computers so their users can locate your site or e-mail you. With the ease and speed of registration and the availability of cheap domain names, registering a domain is well worth the effort. Whether you are selling products or offering a service, or just want your name up there for some other reason, a domain name ensures that your information can reach as many people as possible.