Infinity Web Design

What is a domain, or more specifically, what is a domain name and why would you need one? A domain name is what allows companies to have Web site addresses such as www.XYZcompany.com. Without a registered domain name, your company Web site URL would include the Web hosting company's address. For example, let's say that you have selected ABC Hosting company to host your site, and you have chosen not to register for a unique domain name. Your WWW site address would then be something like this: www.abchosting.com/XYZcompany.

Registering for a unique domain name is relatively painless and inexpensive. Registration for commercial domain names (containing the .com extension), and all other top level domains (.net, .org, .edu) is presently managed by Network Solutions, although steps are being taken to privatize these services to ensure competitive benefits and prices.

The current fee to register a new domain name is $70.00. This fee covers a registration period of two years. The fee to renew registration is $35.00. Renewal fees are assessed annually on the anniversary of the initial registration date. Registration can be handled through the InterNIC WWW site or through your Web hosting company. Most Web hosting companies do not charge to process your domain name registration through Network Solutions. Your registration can also be handled by Infinity Web Design.

One word of caution concerning domain name registration: with the unparalleled and rapid growth of the WWW community, many unique and common domain names have already been registered. The general rule is "here today, gone tomorrow." Once a name is registered, that name is no longer available. One obvious solution is to try variations of your company's name if your first choice domain name is no longer available. To determine whether your domain name is still available, run a search below.

Check Domain Name Availability:

Not so surprisingly, it can be difficult to devise a domain name that is not already registered. According to Domain Stats, there are over 13.2 million domains registered worldwide, and 8 million registered .com domains. To combat the growing problem of domain name unavailability, new top level domains are under development and expected to be available for registration soon, although this is taking longer than initially anticipated. The expected TLDs are as follows:

.firm for businesses, or firms
.shop for businesses offering goods to purchase
.web for entities emphasizing activities related to the WWW
.arts for entities emphasizing cultural and entertainment activities
.rec for entities emphasizing recreation/entertainment activities
.info for entities providing information services
.nom for those wishing individual or personal nomenclature

In an effort to privatize domain name registration services, five new registration authorities were added. After a two month test period, 29 additional registration authorities were added. Network Solutions, the company that has had a monopoly on these domains, will continue to maintain the central database. The other registration authorities will be able to register names, but they will have to query the main Network Solutions database to see if the names are available, and to submit the information on new domains to that database.

Additional information about domain names is available through the Dot Com Series from Network Solutions. The Dot Com Series is a "collection of educational modules that cover topics such as how to build your company's online presence, the ABC's of electronic commerce, and how to get customers to visit your Web site." Tutorials currently available are as follows:

Infinity Web Design will handle your domain name registration for you at no extra charge when any of our services are contracted for, or we can provide domain name registration only for a small fee. Pre-registration for the new TLDs can also be accommodated for a nominal fee. Please refer to our Services page for types of services available and pricing.