Available Domain Names

Finding an available domain name

Available Domain Names: Step-by-step Guide for Beginners

Tip! Finding a domain name is the first step to getting your website online.

Along with the many Internet advances over the years came a multitude of domain names and places to register a domain name. But, how and where do you find a domain name for your website? Here's a step-by-step guide to finding a great domain name for your website.

Step 1: Choose a Theme or Company Name for your Website

Write down the theme of your website. Is it a personal site about baking recipes or is it a business website selling financial ebooks? Whatever the theme, be sure your domain name reflects this theme in some way. The purpose of a domain name is to help visitors locate your website quickly and easily. Your domain name should be simple and easy to remember.

Step 2: Understand the Domain Name Suffixes, or Extensions

Domain name suffixes or extensions are what goes after the "dot" such as:

.com
.net
.org
.tv
.gov
.edu
etc., etc.

Choose a suffix that reflects your type of website. If it's a business site, choose .com or .net. If it's an educational or college-related site, choose .edu. If it's an organization, choose .org. This helps visitors to identify what type of website you have from the moment they view your domain name.

Step 3: Search for Available Domain Names

Once you have a general idea of what type of domain name you want, you can begin brainstorming for domain name ideas using a domain name registrar or provider. These sites offer a simple search form where you can fill in various domain names to check for availability. If the domain name is available, you can register it. If not, some sites will offer suggestions for other variations of the domain name. You can try out as many domain names as you wish until you find the perfect one.

REMEMBER: Take plenty of time to find the right domain name for your website. You will be stuck with it for a VERY long time!

Here's a company where you can check for domain name availability and also register your domain name once you find the perfect one >>>

Available Domain Names at IX Web Hosting

This is one of the best sites on the web where you can find available domain names and even host it at a very affordable rate. This company is on the top of my list when it comes to rates and service. You can check out IX Web Hosting by going to the link below and follow the steps below the link to find out if your desired domain name is available .. You can check out IX Web Hosting by going to the link below ..

Affordable Internet Web Hosting Service from IX

Here's a walk-thru of the domain name checking process:

a) When you arrive at IX Web Hosting, click on "Sign Up Now" in the left-hand menu to go to the Domain Name registering page. ** NOTE: Searching for the availability of a domain name does not commit you to buy it.

b) On the form to the left, click in the box labeled "Enter a Domain Name." Type your desired domain name (without the suffix), and then use the drop down menu to choose a suffix (.com, .net, .org, etc.) Pricing for the year shows in the drop down menu beside each suffix.

c) If the domain name has already been registered, you'll see a message letting you know this. If not, you can register your domain right then and there if you wish, or register it later.

As you can see, it's easy to find and register a domain name once you know how. As a beginner, however, this can be confusing.

Keep in mind, there are two simple steps to securing your website online: Register a domain name and Sign up for hosting space. Once you have a domain name and your hosting, you're ready to place your web pages online for everyone in the world to see!

---

About the Author:

Article presented to you by Candice Pardue, freelance writer and owner of Online Success for Internet Business. Go here to learn web design from start to finish. This one's for beginners...