Looking for, choosing and registering your domain name can be an interesting journey.
So, what is a domain name ?
A domain name is the name of your website - people enter this name into their web browser in order to view your website.
The domain name of this website is usingjoomla.com
The domain name consists of two parts:
- the name, for example: mydomain
- and the extension, for example: .com
This website domain is: usingjoomla
And the extension is: .com (dot com).
Like our choosing a host article we could write a lot.
In summary: a domain name should
- Be as short as possible
- Be easily remembered
- Reflect you, your business, your target audience
What is the longest-named live domain name ?
Spoiler alert . . .
Read on to find out . . .
There are many articles already out there on the internet.
In order to get your domain name you will need to search to see if it is available and if available you will need to register that domain name.
When deciding on a domain name be careful about using a domain name that is or contains a Trademarked name and / or a name which is similar to another person, business or Trademarked name.
To see a list of currently un-registered Potentially Trademarked Domains please login (Register first if you are not currently registered) and under the 'Account' tab select 'Bonus Articles' where you will find the article 'Potential Trademarked Domains Not Registered'.
A similar name to a Trademark could mean people get confused between your website / business and another person's business.
If your domain name is solely one word which is a Trademarked name, or more than one word of which at least one word is a Trademarked name - the same applies - confusion, as well as potential legal action by the Trademark holder(s).
Some registered Trademark holders have a policy of issuing a Trademark Usage Licence (or similar) that is granted or declined based on certain criteria.
If in doubt: get legal advice.
Information
UsingJoomla.com is on the list of 
Approved Domains for use of the trademarked name 'Joomla' in our domain name
Approval date: 7th March 2018
Recommended Domain Registrars
Here at UsingJoomla.com we suggest the following domain name registrars
If you wish to register a .co.nz (dot co dot nz) domain name UsingJoomla.com recommends registering with Only Domains
As with finding a web-host, it can pay to take a look at the reputation of domain registrars
Not only for reliability but also for cost effectiveness
Another reason to be cautious when choosing a domain name. . .
Try to keep it simple, and easy to repeat and understand verbally, as well as correctly seen by Google.
A long domain name, and / or a domain name that contains a hyphen - does not really "roll off the tongue".
If you speak the domain name: metoyou (me to you) - the person listening could think:
- me2you (me 2 you)
- metou (me to u)
- me2u (me 2 u).
Also, Google is very clever. You have the business: Joe's Exchange. The domain name: joesexchange can appear to Google as: "joes exchange" or "joe sex change"
Most web hosts provide two services:
- Web hosting
- Domain name registration
If you want to keep your domain names and hosting within one port of call that is fine, although you can often find good domain registration deals by looking around. Some people suggest that it is good to actually keep your hosting and domain name registration providers separate.
There are certainly pros and cons to whichever you choose.
Here at UsingJoomla.com we keep our hosting and domain name registration providers separate.
Further ReadingThird Level DomainsGeneric Top Level DomainsGeographic Top Level DomainsCountry Code Top Level DomainsFourth Level Domains United States of AmericaThird and Fourth Level Domains United kingdom
When deciding on, or choosing, a domain name registrar - do shop around - and do not be "fooled" by seemingly "very low" domain registration costs.
Some domain registrars offer a very low (sometimes free) first year registration - subsequent years renewal cost could go up to the Registrar's normal annual cost.
The free or heavily reduced year(s) registration could be for "new customers only" (so much for loyalty !) or conditional on paying for a minimum length of registration.
Spoiler
Earlier in this article we asked you:
What is the longest-named live domain name ?
This is a real, genuine place name in Wales, United Kingdom
Unless you speak Welsh, you may have trouble with this one.
On a small screen, for example a mobile phone, you might find it beneficial to view this in landscape (as opposed to portrait).llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch.co.uk
Also, linking (redirecting) to the above website isllanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogochuchaf.com
