What Is A Domain?

Computers on the internet use a unique set of numbers to identify and communicate with other computers. This number is referred to as an "IP Address".  Domain Name Systems (DNS) were created to map domain names (like matthewfleming.com) to specific IP addresses. Obviously, the domain name is much easier to remember than an IP address.

A domain name is a unique address referred to as a "URL" to a website on the internet. It starts with a unique word or phrase followed by a "top-level" domain such as .com. Some servers or websites have sub-domains. This is where a word or phrase is proceeded by the mid-level or primary domain.

Choosing a domain name

• Short and Easy to remember and spell.
  You might even consider registering incorrect spellings of the website address. Long names are hard to remember and most people misspell them. The average person is not a great speller. Don't use special spellings as the main domain name.
• Avoid Numbers and Hyphen.
  Users might not remember a hyphen in a name or number when they hear of it from an advertisement or word of mouth.
• Choose a .com.
  Most people typically assume .com when typing in an address.
• Make sure your domain name is relevant and unique.
  A relevant domain name not only describes your product or service, but also helps in your search engine ranking.
• Avoid Misunderstanding
  Make sure the domain name you choose does not give the impression that your website is something else than what it is.
• Avoid Trademark Issues
  Avoiding trademark issues is important if you plan to market your domain name. These include such things as misspellings, brand names, and abbreviations.
• Avoid using "s" at the end. If you have a name that ends in "s" you might consider also registering the non-plural spelling of it. You wouldn't want your competition to capture some of your visitors.

Please contact us for information on how to register.