Things You'll Need:
- Pen or Pencil
- Scratch Pad of paper
- Domain provider
- Credit or Debit Card
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Step 1
Before we begin describing how to buy a website name make sure to gather all of the necessary items you need from the right.
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Step 2
Start by taking out the pen and paper. Jot down a list of different website names you want to use for your idea or business. While you're racking your brain keep a few things in mind.
Your website name should be easily remembered. It's pointless to try to get too creative to the fact that your website name if forgettable. Also while your brains storming away make sure that the name you pick can be clearly and easily spelled by a fifth grader. Yet again now's not the time to invent a new word for car even if yours is a flying one. -
Step 3
Now that you have a list of possible website names that you want, now you can visit a domain or website name provider. There are some listed in your local phone book or you can quickly do a search online by just typing in "buy a website name".
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Step 4
Once you reach the provider you've chosen look for a domain name search box on the page. In this box, is where you type in the name you want to use. When you buy a website name just like shoes come in different colors, website names come with different extensions. That simply means you have to choose either a .com - .net - .org and so forth. Most people pick a .com but depending on how big a business or idea you have you will want to choose at least the top 3 most popular extensions.
For Example: yourname .com - youname .net - yourname .org
The main reason behind getting 3 different website name extensions is avoiding having to buy them from someone else in the future. This is why it can't be stressed enough that if you plan on taken your dream to far away places, you must protect it at the start. Buying and selling website names is a different article but it does happen to unsuspecting companies. Your better to be safe in the beginning rather than assuming it isn't so. -
Step 5
On to the next step: Now that you've typed your name into the domain search box and picked the extension you want hit the search button. The website name provider will return a list of results for you. In this list it should show you if the name is available, all the different extensions, and some domain providers even offer suggestion of other good names to use. If you find that the name you want is not available don't worry, this is why you made a list. Go through your list of website names and check each of them until you find one that's available. "And a side note - Always try and secure the .com extension for all your websites because it goes without words. That meaning; nearly 90% of people just assume any website is a .com, so making the extra effort will pay off in the end.
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Step 6
Now that you've found the website name you want all that's left to do is purchase it. Website names are paid for by the year and can be purchased for different lengths of time ranging from 1, 2, even 3 years or more. Buying a website name is like opening a store in your local mall. What's different is instead of paying rent every month you only pay once a year. Website names are typically less than a few gallons of gas depending on where you live. So in conclusion to this step make sure you select an appropriate amount of time you want to basically rent the name for. If you choose to only purchase the website name for a year, after that time the name will expire, right along with all of your hard work getting the website's name known.
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Step 7
Finally, now that you have completed all of the above steps you can make the purchase. Some website name providers may require you to make an account before hand but most don't. Before you put in your purchasing information always review your order. Make sure everything in your order is correct and your website name is spelled the way you want it. After checking and everything appear to be ok proceed to check out. After buying your website name make sure to keep a copy of your receipt. You've just learned how to buy a website name. For additional help and tips see the resources link below for more information.
