Q. and A. — Domain Names
by Brooke Long

1. What is a domain name? Simply put, a domain name or URL - Uniform Resource Locator - is a web address. For example, www.cataluna.com is the domain name for Cataluña LLC.



2. How do I get one? You go to a domain name registrar, such as NetworkSolutions®, Go Daddy.com, or Register.com® and apply for one. At one of these sites you will have the option to search and find out if your name of choice is available or already taken. If it is available you can purchase a license to use that name for a set period of time (1, 2, 3, or even 10 years depending on which registrar you go through).



3. Do I need a domain name of my own? My ISP offers me free web space with a subdomain (www.isp.com/cataluna). Isn't this a good deal? That depends on your purpose. If you are putting up a personal web site for your family and friends to see pictures of your dog then sure it's a good deal, you've already paid for it. However, if you are putting up a web site for your business you should think twice. First and foremost it doesn't look professional. Furthermore, having your own domain name is better for achieving results with the search engines. Finally, this will allow you to have your e-mail and your employees e-mail addresses linked to your business (brooke.long@cataluna.com vs. brooke.long@isp.com).



4. What is with all of these different extensions I see out there, like .com, .net, .org? As the number of web sites continues to grow new extensions are being added. People are most familiar with .com which was originally intended for commercial sites. Some of the other, older, and/or more popular suffixes are .gov - government, .net - networks, .org - organizations. There are newer ones being added like .biz.



5. The name that I want is not availbable in .com - can I just get .net? You can if you want to - but remember - the most widely used and accepted is .com. My suggestion would be to register for a .com that is acceptable for you and also register the acceptable name in .net (maybe .org too). Then register the name that you want in .net (maybe .org). That way you are covered for the future.