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What is a Domain Name,
and How Do I Get One?
A domain name is your website's virtual address. It is what
visitors to your website will typically enter into their internet browser so
they can view your website. Our domain name is roundberry.com.
When you type www.roundberry.com into
your internet browser, everything after the "www" is considered the
domain name, and is registered to the owner of the associated website.
There are two definitions for "domain name" found at www.dictionary.com:
Domain Name
n.
A series of alphanumeric strings separated by periods, such as
www.hmco.com, that is an address of a computer network connection and that
identifies the owner of the address.
Strings of letters used to name organizations and computers and addresses on
the internet; "domain names are organized hierarchically with the more
generic parts to the right".
In order to have a fully functional website, you have to
have a domain name registered in your name, and you have to "point"
that domain name to a web hosting account, where your website will reside.
How do you get a Domain Name?
In order to get your own domain name, you have to "register" one
at a "domain name registrar". Registering a domain name is a
relatively simply process.... you merely have to search for a domain name you
want, see if it's available (i.e. make sure no one else has registered it),
and complete a registration form at the registrars website. You will also have
to provide payment details because domain name registrations are not free.
Domain name registration prices are typically anywhere from $10.00 to $50.00
per year, depending on the registration company you choose. Even though there
are hundreds of domain name registration companies to choose from, they are
all affiliated in some way with the main registry where all domain name
registrations are held. Therefore, when you register a domain name with any
domain name registrar, your registration will be placed with the main
registrar so that no one else will be able to register the same domain name.
Your registered domain name will remain yours as long as you continue to pay
your annual registration fee.
How do I "point" my domain name to a web hosting account?
Every domain name's registration has certain common elements. The most
important settings are as follows:
- Registrant's name and contact details
- Domain Name Server (DNS) settings
- Expiry date
The DNS settings are responsible for directing traffic to
your web hosting account, where your website is located. Every web hosting
server is defined with their own unique DNS settings, so when you enter the
DNS settings for the server where your web hosting account is, into your
domain name's registration, your domain name will "point" or
"redirect traffic" to your website when people enter your domain
name into their browser.
Most web hosting servers have two sets of DNS settings, a Primary Nameserver
and a Secondary Nameserver. For example, the DNS settings for one of our
servers is as follows:
Primary Nameserver: ns1.rbynet.com
Secondary Nameserver: ns2.rbynet.com
Once you register a domain name to use for your website, you
will have to change the DNS settings of that domain name, to the correct
settings for the server where your web hosting account is. This is typically
done by logging in to your Domain Manager (provided by your domain name
registrar), and making the changes yourself.
RoundBerry.com is affiliated with a Domain Name Registrar,
meaning we can register your domain names for you. If you register your domain
name through our service, you will not have to change your DNS settings,
because we will do it for you:
Register a new domain name for just $9.95/year.
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