Website Design Services - Domain Names

A website without a domain name is the technological equivalent of having a car with no engine.

 

A domain name is the web address that visitors type into their web browser to get to a particular website – www.google.co.uk or www.stuart-design.co.uk for example. Without a domain name, it is virtually impossible for a visitor or potential client to see your website and the business that should come to you will go to your competition.

 

It can be a daunting task to choose a domain name for your website but help is at hand. As part of the initial consultation, we can offer the most appropriate suggestions and we will also check in real time if they are available for you to use.

 

With increasing regularity, clients look to us to take over their website but the domain name is not registered to them, but to the initial design company who then hold it to ransom. We believe that if you want us to get a domain name for you, it is registered in your name and using your details, we just look after it for you so you will always have full control of YOUR domain name.

 

Tips For Choosing A Domain Name

 

Keep it short, keep it simple
In order for your customers and prospects to find your site, they need to be able to remember your address and easily type it into their browser. Aim to register the shortest name that your customers and visitors will associate with your website.

 

co.uk, com, eu, net, org...?
It is a good idea to register several similar domain names, particularly if you own a trademark for a certain name. If possible register the .co.uk, .com, .eu and .net domains. These are the most popular domain names and by registering all of them you can help to prevent cyber squatters and lost traffic and visitors.

 

Consider common typos
If you have a domain name that can easily be pluralised or misspelt, consider registering those as well to stop traffic going elsewhere.

 

Don't shell out large amounts of money
Some companies still sell domain names for as much as £100 per year. Make sure you are getting a good deal. Before you buy, talk to us. You may be looking at the best deal but then again you may not be…

 

Register your domain now!
You must register as soon as possible, or risk getting stuck with "the-domain-name-that-no-one-wanted.net". You don’t have to have a webmaster, an ecommerce department or a web design consultant... you don't even need a web page. Simply search for your domain name and register it yourself. Simple!

 

Domain Name FAQs

 

How long will it take for my new domain name to become active?
Domains are registered as soon as you order them; however it can take between 24 and 72 hours for a domain name to become visible on the Internet as each DNS updates its database of domain names.

 

Can I buy a domain name, but not buy web hosting?
Yes, you do not have to buy the web hosting when you buy a domain name. If you decide to add web hosting in the future, you can easily upgrade with one of our feature rich hosting packages.

 

Do I own the domain name?
Yes – we will always register the domain in your name or in your customer's name if you are working on someone's behalf.

 

Can I transfer the domain at any time?
Yes, you can, and we provide a control panel so that you can make these changes yourself at any time.

 

Do I get a certificate of ownership for the domain I purchase?
In the past Nominet issued certificates as confirmation of the contract that exists between Nominet and the registrant and this continued until August 2003. Paper certificates and reply forms have now been replaced by an online system called Registrants Online.