Good question. Over 90% of Webster's Dictionary is registered as Domain Names (98% per The Wall Street Journal, April 24, 2000). If you're hoping for a one-word name, it's probably gone. Further down this page we'll discuss finding a new name for you. To check if a name is already registered, try our Domain Query.

What is a Domain Name?

Domain names are website addresses. A Domain Name represents the actual numerical IP address of the computer or server where your website is located. All nodes (servers, clients, hosts, routers, etc...) on the Internet have a unique IP address. The IP address of AlienHeat.com is 72.29.71.181. if you check this link http://72.29.71.181 and this one http://www.AlienHeat.com, you'll find that they are the same. Names are much easier to remember that all those numbers, so the DNS system was invented. When you enter a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) such as "http://www.AlienHeat.com" into your web browser the first thing that happens is that the browser extracts the Domain Name (AlienHeat.com) out of the URL and sends it to a special server, called a DNS (Domain Name System) server. The DNS server searches it's database to determine the IP address associated with that Domain Name and sends this IP address back to your browser. Armed with this number, your browser can now locate the website you requested.

How are Domain Names important?

Registering your own Domain Name:

Adds credibility

People tend to trust www.MyCompany.com more than www.isp.com/~mycompany.html.

Gives Exclusivity

Once your Domain Name is registered, it's yours. No one else can use it or take it away without permission (or a court order).

Allows permanence

You can move your site to another server and your customers and clients will still find you. You also can change ISPs and servers without having to change email addresses.

Promotes branding

Your Domain Name contributes to your company image. Image, combined with your company name and your product or service, will make or break your branding strategy.

How do I get a Domain Name?

Domain Name registration is a fairly straightforward process. The cost and process varies depending on the Registrar, or Registration Company. Until November 30, 1999, The only company that could register Domain Names in the .com, .net, and .org TLDs (Top Level Domains) was Network Solutions, Inc. At that time, per an agreement with the United States Department of Commerce, domain registration was opened up to other companies. Now, companies approved by ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers), are competing for you Domain Name registration business. Different companies require different information from you, offer different services and support, and charge different fees. Generally, you can expect to pay $10-$35 per year for registration. Registration periods may be from a minimum of one to a maximum of ten years. Alien Heat can register domain names for our clients for $9.95/year.

What makes a good Domain Name?

Make it memorable:

SportSite.com had excellent service, good prices, and a well-designed site. They had plenty of positive feedback from their customers. So why weren't they getting more repeat business? A bit of research showed them that customers trying to get back to their site often found themselves at SportsStuff.com or SportsPlace.com or one of many other SportSomething.coms. After changing their name to FogDog Sporting Goods, their business soared. Anyone can remember FogDog.com.

Keep it simple:

ComputerLiteracy.com changed their name to Fatbrain.com to go with the simpler name for better name recognition. Initially, many employees threatened to quit, but reconsidered when Fatbrain.com's stock jumped 36% on the first day of the change.

Try for the .COM:

The .com extension is the standard default for commercial websites. According to DomainStats.com, almost 70% of the registered domain names are ".com"s If you choose a .net, .org, or other TLD (Top Level Domain) some visitors may mistakenly enter .com and end up at your competitors website.

Market your benefit:

If your company name isn't available, try another associated term. You can use your company's tagline as Mcdonald's Tile Unlimited did (www.DurableTile.com). In another example, a company named Resort Sports Network registered www.FastTravel.com instead of their full name or an RSN acronym.

Register variations:

You'll want your customers to find you even with common misspellings of your domain name. You also may want to consider registering, the .net and .org versions of your name. The classic example of this is official website of the President, www.Whitehouse.gov. unfortunately, many people accidently end up at one of the parody sites, whitehouse.net or whitehouse.org. and even more end up at whitehouse.com, a pornographic website.

Avoid acronyms and abbreviations:

If possible, avoid using an acronym in your domain name unless your company markets and is well known by that acronym (such as IBM, CA, AT&T,...).

Be careful with numbers:

Numbers can also be confusing if not used carefully (was that "four11.com, 4oneone.com, or fouroneone.com").

Hurry: