Domain Name Registration

Once you have decided that you want a website it is time to think about a domain name.

but what is a domain name?

A domain name is the technical term for the addressof a particular website on the Internet, the domain name tells your browser where to look to access the pages you want to see.
The domain name for this website, for example, is ewave.com.au and you arrived at this page from clicking through one web page to another, moving from one domain name to another, or by typing the exact address into the address bar of your browser.

What is a URL?

URL stands for Uniform Resource Locator, and forms the entire address used to access a particular website, including the domain name.
URL's were devised as an easier form of Internet navigation over IP Addresses that traditionally identify the host server for a website through a series of numbers.

A URL uses easy to remember words and letters to replace the impractical IP Address method. Therefore, a URL for the E-Wave Web Design website would be http://www.ewave.com.au and will contain the Hypertext Transfer protocol (http) allowing you to use words instead of an IP Address, and the domain name itself (ewave.com.au) identifying the server and the particular files on that server to be accessed.

Choosing a Domain Name

Keep it short

Although some places allow you to register a name with up to 63 characters, you have to keep in mind that people need to be able to remember it, and easily type it into their browser. Try to register the shortest name that your customers and visitors will associate with your Website.

Domain Name suffix

There are many different extensions available right now. For businesses, we recommend a .com.au suffix.
It is the first extension that most people try when searching for a Website. Also, .com.au shows that your business has been around for a while and that you have a well-established presence on the Web.

Character Types

Just a reminder. Domain names can only use letters, numbers, and dashes. Spaces and symbols are not allowed. Also, domain names are not case sensitive.

Plurals, "The", and "My" Forms of the Domain Name

Very often, if you can't get the domain name you want, the domain name registrar will suggest alternate forms of the name you typed.
For example, if you wanted website.com, and it was taken (of course it is), it might suggest forms like:

• thewebsite.com
• mywebsite.com
• websites.com

and the likes, if they were not already taken as well. The question is, should you take them?

My personal opinion is to avoid these domain names if possible and the main reason is Promotion, you can spend time and money promoting your website as "thewebsite.com" or "mywebsite.com"  and it is more likely that the visitor will go and visit "website.com" thinking that this is the site you promoted.

Country Specific

A domain ending in .com.au, or .co.uk can be beneficial for online marketing, as it instantly tells people that you're catering to an Australian or UK market respectively.
There is also generally less competition for these domain names, so you might find it easier to get the name you want.

However, if you have an international customer base (or you are a US based therapist) then .com may be more appropriate.