posted 07-09-2001 07:23 PM         

I was thinking about setting up a web site for my business. If I buy a domain name how much does it cost, and where is a good place to get it. I see there are various differences in web addresses too. For example: http://paxtonauto.com/, is Paxton's address, and http://www.prowleronline.com/ is this web site. One has www in its address and one doesn't why?

What I have heard is it is somewhere under $100. To get a domain name, but what is the cost in the future? Some say it is $20 a month or something like that. I have a free web site coming to me with my server Prodigy. Can I link my custom new address to the free web site I get, or if it is an original name do I have to pay an additional amount?

I don't expect many hits. It will just be a service to my new customers. Actually I have one already, but it doesn't have a custom domain name.

Domain names can be anywhere from $8.95 (the lowest I have seen) on up. I don't know how those low cost ones work - maybe someone out there has used their services?

I have mine through Network Solutions. They were the original company that was responsible for handling domain names - but domain name service has been privatized recently. Network Solutions cost $70 for the first 2 years and $35 a year after - they force you to start with a 2 year commitment. The tricky part is finding a name that isn't already taken. If the one you want is taken - well - the person who took it is probably going to charge up the wazoo to purchase it from them.

As far as the URLs (Uniform Resource Locator)(www.prowleronline.com, www.watsonworld.org, support.microsoft.com) go - it all depends on where it sits on the server. Maybe someone else can explain this better than me (Dan probably). It used to be important and pay attention to what was before the domain name (prowleronline.com, watsonworld.org, microsoft.com) but I don't think it matters anymore. You can just type the domain name and it will get you there now.

Hope this helps some

posted 07-10-2001 06:34 PM         

Lets see if I will make sense on this .....

By standard, all domain names will start out with (www.whatever.com) on them. You can setup aliases or something called URL FORWARDING. For example, prowleronline.com can have an alias or url forwarding setup such that krehel.prowleronline.com will point you to some directory on Mikes server. The paxtonauto.com address you just typed in earlier will not work. Browsers now a days are smart enough to know that when you type in prowleronline.com .... you actually mean http://www.prowleronline.com .. All this is secretly mapped into your browser.

What is a domain name?
A domain name is a unique alpha-numeric name used to identify a particular computer (i.e. Web server or mail server) on the Internet.

Domain names allow Internet users to type in a name, such as prowleronline.com, to identify a numeric address such as prowleronline.com(This is the actual address for http://www.prowleronline.com). The purpose of domain names is to allow ordinary users connected to the Internet to find Web sites and send email to addresses with familiar names such as "prowleronline.com" or "prowlerexcitement.com" without having to memorize the numerical addresses that actually locate the computers or servers on the Internet.

What is a Top Level Domain (TLD)?
A top level domain (TLD) is the suffix that is attached to the end of a domain name. For instance, in the domain name prowleronline.com, ".com" is the TLD.

There are two types of top-level domains: global and country code. Global Top Level Domains(gTLD) were created to be used by the Internet public, while country code Top Level Domains (ccTLD) were created to be used by each individual country, as they deem necessary.

The global Top Level Domains are as follows:
.com
.net
.org
.edu
.mil
.gov

Cost
This is just like shopping for a new car. Got to look around and ask around for the best price.

A starting point for you ... START HERE

I have purchased three domain names of which two have webhosting service. One of them is setup using "URL FORWARDING". URL FORWARDING enables me or anyone else to point my domain name to a particular absolute directory on a server somewhere without having the need for an additional webhosting service.

I used network solutions at first but found out quickly they do not offer as many options as the other ISP's I later came across. They lock you into programs you are not necessarily interested in. I wanted more flexibility than what they would subject me too.

I finally decided on "REGISTER.COM" AND "HOSTWAY.COM" for my domain and webhosting services. I wanted options and they offered them to me and have been happy with them ever since I came on the scene.

The hardest part for you will be coming up with a theme that will flow and will be appealing to the user. I struggled at the beginning with that.

Any how .....

Later.....