Purchasing Domain Names

So, if you were going to purchase a house would you give your money to someone else to finish the banking, closing, and registration of the deed to the home? NO!

When you are confused, think of domain names as virtual real estate. You want to own the NAME.

So, I am offering these tips because lately unhappy business owners have approached me to re-design and re-brand their online business and I can't help them. It seems they don't actually own what they think they own.

So here is my advice:

1) Pick a name for your business.
2) Check the US Patent and Trademark Office and see if it is available.
3) Check the WhoIs domain directory and see if the name is available.

Now if you clear those steps do this part yourself!!!!!!!!!!!

Locate an online business that sells domain names with ICANN registration.

Before you pay for your new business domain name check these particulars:

1) The domain name is registered in your name as the owner.
2) Whether the option for privacy registration is available. (This is a choice option.)
3) IMPORTANT: That if you decide to transfer the domain name that you own to another hosting service that you can transfer your domain name.

Lately, I have been spending time explaining to small business owners that they actually don't own their domain name because they let someone handle the transaction for them and now they are discovering that they are not the owner of their business domain name.

Don't do this. Do it yourself!!!!!!

Think of it like buying a house..... Buy the house in your name and then......

Hire the crew or team to help you build where you want to go.

And like any business to business (B2B) you have the right as the owner to change your mind along your journey and more times than not CHANGE brings onboard a new team.

So, don't think it is anything different just because it is called a domain name. Some people PARK it like a car. Some people even ask you to ENTER it like a brick and mortar store. I am asking you to own it: Virtual Real Estate.

It is time to downsize some of my creative domains. I have a few currently listed through my shopping cart at eCrater.
Details are posted with each listing in the store.