How to Weigh the Benefits of Purchasing a Private Domain Name

When you weigh the benefits of purchasing a private domain name, there are several things to take into consideration. If you are concerned about the privacy of your email or home address, or have been receiving lots of spam emails, then you may consider purchasing a private domain name for your Web site. Purchasing additional domain names is also a good way of directing costumers to your Web site.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Domain name
• Web hosting company
• Registration company

1. Consider the alternatives to getting a private domain name. Try switching to an email service with a more efficient spam filter. Email services such as Gmail offer improved spam filters that may solve the majority of your spam problems.
2. Decide if having your contact information public is threat to you. If you have suffered from identity theft, or are concerned about who knows how to contact you, then purchasing a private domain name is a good idea.
3. Find a reliable registrar to obtain your private domain name. Higher-end companies supposedly provide a more secure service but can cost as much as $50 per year. However, cheaper companies such as Yahoo! and GoDaddy.com offer much lower rates and their popularity suggests they can be trusted.
4. Pay attention to the features offered by your registration company. Some sites offer the ability to register different variations of a domain name that will all point to your Web site.
5. Find a registration company that offers “Domain Name Parking.” This is a service that allows you to purchase domain names before you find a Web hosting company for your Web site. The registration company will reserve your domain name and display a page that says your Web site is under construction.
6. Find a Web hosting company that provides “Domain Name Pointing.” This enables you to purchase multiple domain names and have them all point to your original active site. Pointing is useful if your original domain name is hard for people to remember.
7. Forward a domain name through your registration company. This is an alternative to purchasing extra domain names. If your registrar allows you to choose several “forwarder” domain entries, these will link to your site if a costumer tries to access them.
8. Consider purchasing popular domain names to sell for profit. There are many companies that are employed exclusively in this activity. Many people will pay extra money if they believe a domain name is popular enough.

Tips & Warnings

• Provide valid contact information when registering your domain name.
• Remember, you can transfer your domain name to a new registration company during your renewal period.
• Many registration Web sites offer free registration for a year with a transfer of a domain name.
• Many domain names are already taken.
• You may have to purchase your domain name of choice from someone who owns the rights to it already.
• Popular domain names cost considerably more than less widely used names.