Domains
A domain is your identity online. It separates you from everyone else - once yours, as long as you keep renewing it, no one else may have it. Registering a domain name is very easy. First you will have to make sure that the domain you want is available - using something called a WHOIS lookup at sites like Register.com or Whois Source you can make sure the domain you want is available for registration.
Afterwards, you simply need to visit a registration site such as GoDaddy.com. Please Note: We handle all domain name searching and registration for you at no charge. However, there is a domain name registration fee of $8.95 per year that you will be responsible for.
There are two parts to a domain - the domain name itself, and the TLD (top level domain) extension. The most popular TLD is the .com extension - it is synonymous with online business. But due to its popularity, getting a good domain name with '.com' has become increasingly difficult. Most TLDs have a meaning behind them - .EDUs are used by educational institutes, and .ORGs are supposed to be used by non-profit organizations. A domain with a TLD of 'co.uk' is very likely British-based. There are other TLDs too, such as .cc, .tv, and .tk. These are all associated with either a company or with a country. For most domains, the minimum registration duration is one year. Some TLDs such as .US require a minimum of two years. However, most TLDs only require a one-year commitment.
Once you have registered a domain, as long as it is renewed, no one will be able to take the domain. You may sell the domain to someone else (or even buy somebody else's domain), but no one will be able to just take the domain. Having your own domain is very important for your business. It sets you apart from everybody else, and gives you a brand to work with.