How do I find/register a domain name?

[BumperliciousNeedsToSleep]

DH is starting a new photography business and would like to register a domain name. How can I find out if one is available and register it?

some advice here

Generally you decide who to buy if from, e.g. virtualnames or 123Reg and they have a search function that will help you to find suitable names.

Ok, I've tried typing in the name but it doesn't come up with anything.

I tried checking on a domain register site but it says the .co.uk on is taken, but the whois said it is suspended. What can I do?

Where is the cheapest place to register a domain?

Sorry, missed your posts

we use 1and1 they are cheap and good.

ps - I would choose a name that is unique and buy the .co.uk, .com, .eu, .biz & etc etc there are about 8 or 10 different endings.

we did, but my BIL didn't (just bought the .co.uk) now another company is using the .com and taking away a load of his business!

Great articles UD.

The .com is taken but it's an aussie company so no bother there. the .co.uk is taken but not being used.

Are .org.uk TLDs ok for anyone to use. Photography is a local type of business so as long as no-one in the area has the same company name it's not too much of a worry, though the article UD linked to had some food for thought.

You might make it more local by including your town, so instead of snaphappy.co.uk, use snaphappy-pontardawe.co.uk

www.godaddy.com are cheap and do loads of services although i find their website a bit puzzling

For more on GoDaddy look at nodaddy.com/

yikes- i have 2 businesses hosted through them!!

I've used: www.freeparking.co.uk, 1&1, and www.34sp.com
No issues with any of them. Freeparking has a search facility which I quite like - put in two or three words and it will hunt for possible domain names.
If just starting out, it can be easier having domain name and web hosting with the same company. I use 34sp for hosting and have had domains registered by them, but also have pointed domains registered by Freeparking and 1&1 to them.

Consider a name carefully. If you are reliant on traffic from search engines, try to have keywords in your domain name. Keywords = Words which someone would type into a search engine, to find your service - eg. Photographer In Townname

But, have you decided on a business name? Make sure you dont chose one that is already in use by somebody else. You can get sued. And starting again with a new name could be costly. Google it first and see what comes up. If your business name is YOUR name, Like Bumperlicious Photography it is fine, it is your name, somebody else wont have trademarked it and wont have copyright to it. If it is something arty, like CreativeMinds Photography, ensure CreativeMinds is not already in Use BY ANOTHER PHOTOGRAPHY business, if it is in use by a differnt type of company, such as CreativeMInds Software you should be fine.

Read up on trademarks and copyright before you proceed, if you havent already.

Go to www.freeparking.com they will tell you what is available and how much it costs. Before registering it check with you site designer as many prefer to register it themselves, hosting with external sources canh be a pain in the backside

I use Dreamhost, for domain reg and hosting- they are really good. Agree with putting lots of thought into your domain name. If you are providing a local service rather than a web-based product, I'd second getting your locality in the name - you'll get good keyword hits on search engines.
You can register more than one domain, the first is free with DH- so you could get the .com and .co.uk version of your domain, for instance.

ps, I agree about buying the co.uk .com .net etc many people will pass one website off as another. I used to run a website and now it has lapsed somebody has bought it and is trying to sell it on the back of the traffic it still gets!

Thanks for all the tips guys, we used reg-123 and are now the proud owner of junophotography.co.uk!

oh yes make sure you buy the limited company as well (costs about £99) just so you have it. You would be amazed how many people try torun off the back of your business if you don't own all the web variants and the ltd co!