Buying Domain Names

There are many reasons to buy a domain. And the obvious one to set up your own domain for an online business. However, some have bought domain names because it is their method of making money online.

If you're buying to:

1. resell the domain name
2. set up a website to flip

You will need deep pockets, skill and experience, and nerves of steel if things go awry.



Buying a website and Flipping it-what is it?

Flipping a website is buying a domain/website and flipping it for a profit. Many have made a business out of flipping websites for profit. This is a definite high risk way of making money.

What do you need?
1) a lot of money in your pockets due to the high costs of making a purchase.
2) skills and ability
3) Nerves of steel. In some cases, it's like day trading, or working the stock market


Buying a domain name to resell

This is where an individual will seek out a site, for it's name only. They are not concerned about the site or it's content, just the name. Here people are looking at trends, and what the value of that trend will give them.

Just think what value you would have had, if you would have created a website called "blogger.com". Get my meaning.


If the domain name is for your business?

If the purpose of your buying a domain name/website is to create your own business-what must your domain name include? The domain name should include your product or service. Translated in simplest terms-what you website will be about.

Most search engines favor a website that includes the keyword in the domain name. Why? It gives them an idea of what the site is about. For example, do a search for a website you frequent. What do you see highlighted in the search results. It's the very keywords that they emphasize in their url?

When you set your plans up, if possible you should include thoughts of what target market you will be reaching. This simple tips can help you from missing your tarket market, and slowing your online business progress.

To conclude, as you can see, your domain name is important-not only to you, but maybe to someone else.

About Author:
Vickie J Scanlon -- Visit her site at: My Affiliate Place for free tools, articles; ebooks, web hosting/domain info, Dell computers, Norton security software, tech accessories, and how to info for the Affiliate Marketer/Internet Marketer.



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Your Domain -- Just the Facts!

When people first enter the Internet Arena, and they hear the word domain -- they may be kind of -- well, lost. What is a domain, was my first question. Pretty green, huh! I learned by trial and error, not realizing the importance of the name -- the domain name, of my online business. Just by chance, I did do some things right. But I sure wish I had the facts when I first began. With that being said, here is an article on Domain Names -- and the facts that you should be aware of.

Your Domain -- Just the Facts!
By Vickie J. Scanlon

Your domain identifies your business in the eyes of the people searching for the product or products you are selling on your website and in the eyes of the search engines. So, is choosing a domain important? The answer is yes. I hope to enlighten you to some important elements to creating and owning a domain name.


What Is A Domain Name

What is a Domain Name? Your website has a unique address called an IP address. The domain name--in essence, is the IP address with a naming convention. It is far easier for people to remember a name instead of a bunch of numbers.


Creating A Domain Name

Many people new to the Internet and to the Internet Business, do not realize the importance of a Domain Name, they just think they can put up any creative name and people will come. If you're lucky, that may be true, but in truth, your creativity should incorporate the following tips:

When creating a domain name, you should keep in mind the following tips:

1. If it is possible, go with a ".com" extension. This is the most common, and easier for people to remember. In my case, no .com was available, so I opted for the .biz. Since I'm in a business of affiliate marketing -- I felt it perfect for my needs.

2. The name itself -- Do not use dashes or numbers in your domain name--it is hard for people to remember, unless it is central to the theme of your site.

3. Keep your name as compact as possible -- the fewer words in the naming/description of your website will makes it easier for people to remember your site name, and that is definitely what you want.

Protecting Your Domain Name

Once you have your domain name, and your website is flourishing -- you must protect your domain.

So how do you protect your domain? At the end of the year, the registrar will send you a notice that your domain name is about to expire. Inadvertently, you may be thinking, that they just want your money, and they can darn well wait til the date it is due to get your money! Well, I wouldn't do that. There is a very legitimate process called "drop catching"-- that can easily destroy all your hard work in one instance.


Drop Catching

Drop catching is a legal process by which people can quickly grab domain names that have expired and use the link to create a website consisting of advertisements -- or worse yet, resell them to make a profit off of your hard earned traffic. So, it is wise that you do not wait til the last minute to pay your registration. You do not want to log-in to your site, to find an error, or find out that suddenly you are no longer in business.

The rules of the ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers), gives domain registrars 45 days after the expiration date to notify the website owner that their domain name is going to be dropped from the registry. After the 45 days, you have a 30 day grace period, then your domain is up for grabs. However ..

Some domain services have created an auction process for expired names, such as GoDaddy.com, that begins the auctioning of domain names in as little of 30 days after the expiration date, to prospective buyers. However, GoDaddy.com does state to the prospective buyer in the auction process, that the original owners still have the option of reclaiming their name.

What's in a name? If it's a domain name, it can be your future online. So choose wisely, and protect what you worked, or have been working for -- a business online.

Vickie J Scanlon -- Visit her site at: My Affiliate Place for tools, articles, ebooks, affiliate opportunities, software, web host info, computers, software and for the Afffiliate/Internet Marketing person online.
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My On-line Journey -- Where Do I Begin?

Many people want to begin their journey on-line, but do not know how, or what needs to be done to get their web site on-line. I was one of many, that was looking for such a presence on-line.

I hope this article answers some questions you may have -- and possibly get you started in the right direction.

Your Affiliate Web Site Is Built – Now What?
When I first got my web site built, I thought I finally I had
a presence on-line. Wrong! I soon found out that I needed someone
to host my site, and I needed a domain name.

This, I found, was my moment of utter confusion. And my
first thought was – “What have I gotten myself into!?”
I realized I needed the following questions answered before I
could even begin my on-line journey. What do I need in a web host,
what is a web host, what is a domain name and – you
mean, I have to pay for a domain name as well?

What is a Domain?

A domain name is a unique name that identifies an Internet site.
Thus, if you want to do any on-line marketing you need a unique
name to identify your business – and definitely a name that
identifies or relates to that of your on-line presence.

Do I really need a domain name? Yes. Why? There are
several good reasons:

1. It projects a professional image
2. It’s mobile – you can change web hosts and your domain
name goes with you.
3. It takes time and hard work to build your affiliate business – if you
don’t have your own name and you want to move to a
different web host – all is lost because the domain name is not mobile.

There are many sites that give you an opportunity to buy a domain with your website. However,
if you're confused about domains and subdomain- read Domain and Subdomains on my website.

What is A Web Host?

A web host is an ISP that offers space in which to store your
own personal Web pages. They utilize a web server, which
is a computer that is permanently connected to the Internet and
can send out your web pages on request.

If you want a professional presence, I would suggest that you
do not go with a free site. Why? With your free site, you
are required to include advertisements of their
choosing on your pages.

There are many web hosting sites and prices to choose from – and all
can be very confusing and intimidating when you are first
looking at putting up a site of your own. So, what should you
consider when choosing a web host?

What to Consider When You Choose a Web Host?

When choosing a Web Host you should consider the following:

1. Does it have customer support available 24/7?
2. How often are backups done? (You should also do
your own backups as well.)
3. How much bandwidth do they give you? Bandwidth is
the amount of activity on your site (traffic). The more
visitors you have, the more bandwidth is used.
I recommend at least 2 gigs, with an option to upgrade.
4. How many email accounts do they have? At least 3, preferably more.
5. Does it have traffic stats – to monitor your hits, page views, and actual visitors?
6. Does it have FrontPage extensions? (If you are planning to use FrontPage).
7. Does it offer autoresponders?
8. Does it offer FTP?
9. Does it allow for upgrades? As your business grows, so will
your need for more bandwidth.
10. Does it offer SiteBuilder? (If you have no HTML experience/don’t
have FrontPage, or no programming knowledge – SiteBuilder
can get you up and running.

To conclude, remember your web site is your business, your
domain is your name, and your web host is your home – all
are important factors to your success. And to think, you
only getting started!



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