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Things to consider when purchasing a web domain for yourself.
When you visit a website, you type its name into your browser. The URL serves as the web domain name. Domain names include everything between the “www.” and the “.com.” You can use nearly any combination of letters and numbers in a domain name, but symbols and characters from alphabets like Cyrillic or Asiatic are not allowed. A domain name can be a random string of characters or a word or phrase connected to the site. Most people choose and purchase domain names that reflect their business and its purpose.
Types of Domains
Domains come in many varieties. The most common are “top-level domains” such as .com, .org, .net, .gov, and .info. Country code top-level domains include .ca for Canada, .de for Germany, and .es for Spain. The type of domain you choose for your website depends on its purpose and how you want your URL to appear. You don’t need to be based in Germany to use a .de URL, but it may cost more.
What Else do you need?
A domain name alone is not enough for a website. Without one, people cannot find your site, but you also need web hosting. A web host stores your website files and makes them accessible online. Web hosting and a domain name work together to make your site visible on the Internet. Most web hosts either act as domain name registrars or partner with specific registrars. However, any web host can host a site regardless of the domain name registrar.
To build a website, you also need development tools, such as HTML editors. If your site includes a store, you will need e-commerce software. Most web hosts offer or recommend this software, making setup easier.
Finding a Web Domain
Finding an available domain name can be challenging. The Internet is vast, and many domain names are already taken. Registrars and domain squatters often buy and hold domain names to sell later. Some owners may sell their domain names, while others keep them for their businesses.
A domain name can exist across multiple top-level domains. For example, www.google.com, www.google.ca, and www.google.org are different websites. This flexibility can be both helpful and risky. Companies like Google use multiple domains for different purposes: .com for their U.S. site, .ca for a Canadian audience, and .org for organizational information.
However, this system can lead to misuse. For instance, the .cm domain (Cameroon) has raised concerns because it enables typo-based scams. If someone purchases www.google.cm, they could exploit users who mistype “.com” as “.cm.” Scammers can use these typo sites to mimic legitimate sites and steal user information, making such practices dangerous.
Parked Domains and Domain Squatters
Domains fall into four main categories. The first category includes unregistered domains. These domains are not owned by anyone and are usually the cheapest to buy. They work well for niche keywords and SEO but often indicate low demand or interest.
The second category includes domains owned by individuals or companies that have no intention of selling. These domains are not for sale, making them unavailable to others.
The third and fourth categories involve domains purchased for resale. Parked domains are owned by companies that buy large numbers of inexpensive domains, add basic websites advertising their company, and sell them for profit. The price depends on demand and their initial investment.
Domain squatters, on the other hand, operate in a more controversial way. They register domains tied to trending events or new products and attempt to sell them to relevant parties at high prices. This practice, known as domain squatting, is illegal. Some businesses pay the squatters, while others take legal action to claim the domain.
How to Buy a Web Domain
Once you find a domain name, purchase it through a domain registrar. If no one owns the domain, the cost typically ranges from $19 to $50, along with an annual renewal fee. Failure to pay the renewal fee allows the registrar to sell or park the domain.
If the domain is already owned, you must negotiate a price with the current owner. While most domains are affordable, the most expensive one sold was insure.com, which went for $16 million in 2009. After buying the domain, inform your web host that it’s associated with your website. This completes the process.