How to buy Domain Names

You may have a great idea for a Website, a great list of products to sell or really useful information you'd like to share with the world - but when it comes to creating your Website you'll quickly find that getting the right domain name for your site can be extremely difficult.

How to buy Domain Names?
If you’re about to start a Website it’s best to register your domain name immediately.
You’re not the only one in this world thinking of getting a catchy name for your online business.
A split second can determine your success or failure.

Before you start:
Your domain name is the centre of your Internet identity. Here are a few things you might want to take into consideration when choosing the name that will represent you on the Web?

  • Keep your domain name short.
  • Dot What? There are many different extensions available right now, for UK businesses
    I would recommend .co.uk.
  • Avoid trademarked names unless your lawyers are FREE.
  • One may not be enough, especially if the domain name is your company name.
  • Ask your friends and family what they think.
  • Get a domain name similar, or at least related to, the products / services you offer.
  • Think about your target market.
  • Register your domain name NOW!

Having decided on your domain name, you then need to check whether it is available, the fastest route is by using a registrar (Internet Service Provider).

There are now hundreds of registrars in the UK offering a wide range of Internet services.
However, in my opinion, the biggest and the best UK providers are:


Registrars

1&1 Internet Limited

“1&1's goal is to be first to market with innovative products at the most competitive prices - without compromising strength and reliability. 1&1 started as pioneers and have never stopped working this way.” Now serving over 3.5 million customers worldwide and approximately 2500 new customers every day, 1&1 has more than proven their capability in the field of web hosting.

“If you’re looking for a complete package, including domain registration, site hosting & ecommerce store building, 1&1 has an excellent set of options”
- Making Money magazine

“Our survey showed that more than 81 per cent of you who commented about 1&1 were happy with the host’s services. Marks for performance and reliability were particularly impressive.”
- Internet Magazine

“1&1 must be doing something right – all our respondents said they were satisfied with its service. The company performed well in all areas.” Best of survey results for reliability, set-up, installation, ease of use, Control Panel and e-mail support.”
- Internet Magazine

Price:
 from £1.99 per month
Format:
 Online Solution
  Visit the 1&1 website


Namesco Limited

From a handful of 'techie' Internet pioneers in the mid 90's to over 60 staff and growing, Namesco Limited are the friendly, customer focused Internet Services and Connectivity company serving the Home User, Small and Medium sized business. Here to stay, growing both organically and through acquisition, we have the experience and sense to ensure continuity in all that we do. We are proud to be the 4th largest domain name and hosting provider within the UK Domain sector and ranked within the top 50 largest hosting providers in the World!

Price:
 from £1.99 per month
Format:
 Online Solution
  Visit Namesco website

 

a bit more advice
  • You should ask to see copies of the Terms and Conditions for domain name registration. If these are not easily available to you - usually via their website - insist on having a copy and study it thoroughly.
  • Seek recommendations from other Internet users and ask the prospective registrar for testimonials from other customers.
  • Check whether the registrar has signed up to an industry code of conduct.
  • Consider whether you need any specialist services - not all registrars offer the same package
  • Research what is available from which registrar through the Internet media.
  • Pay particular attention to your rights to move your business and your domain name to another registrar, and whether there is a charge for doing so.


more stuff..

Nominet
Nominet UK is the Registry for all domain names ending in .uk. Nominet began registering Domain Names on the 1st August 1996 and is now officially recognised by the UK Government as the manager of the .uk TLD.
more info

Whois.net
Has a long history of offering WHOIS information since 1999, is a resource and tool used by millions worldwide. Whois.net is used by domain buyers, online marketers, national government agencies, the educational system, web developers and just about anyone interested in “who” owns a domain.
more info

SEDO
Sedo stands alone as the world's only global domain marketplace. It may be close to impossible to directly register good domains anymore but the Sedo domain marketplace offers the world's largest selection of premium domains with more than 9 million available for sale!

Web Designer
Keep and eye on the latest web packages and deals with a comprehensive list of ISP's from the Web Designer Magazine.
more info