- Choosing a domain name (or names).
- Checking to see that it is still available.
- Registering it.

1. Choosing a domain name

A domain name is a unique address on the Internet and is where your website can be found. At its simplest, the website can provide information about your company/society/yourself, but can also be extended in many ways, such as by including e-commerce to provide secure on-line buying for your products and services.

You can register any of the following name endings with us:

• UK domain names: any name ending with .co.uk, .org.uk, .plc.uk or .ltd.uk
  e.g. www.domainname.co.uk.

• US domain names: any name ending with .com, .org, .net, .tv, .info, .biz or .name.
  e.g. www.domainname.com.

You will need to decide what you need the domain name for, and then choose a relevant name. (e.g. companyname.com). You should consider whether to register both the UK and US version of your domain name, if available. This could prevent confusion in the future should another company register 'your' other name. You may also want to consider registering other variants of your domain name, including hyphens, abbreviations etc. (e.g. company-name.co.uk). This will help in promoting your Internet presence, since some search engines use the domain name when providing answers to searches.

2. Checking to see that the name is still available

Once you have decided upon a domain name, you will need to check that the name is still available. This means carrying out a 'look-up': this tells you whether the domain name is free for registration. If the domain is already registered, the look-up will tell you who has registered the name. And you will need to choose another name...

• To check for UK domain names (any name ending with .co.uk, .org.uk, .plc.uk and .ltd.uk) you should go to the Nominet's Whois Search. From here you should type in your chosen UK domain name (e.g. companyname.org.uk). If you get a result of 'No Match', then you are free to register this name. If however you get a result which includes lots of other information, then the domain has already been taken.
  
  
• To check for US domain names (any name ending with .com, .org, .net, .tv, .info, .biz or .name) you should go to the OpenSRS's Whois Search. From here you should type in your chosen US domain name (e.g. companyname.org). If you get a result of 'No Match', then you are free to register this name. If however you get a result which includes lots of other information, then the domain has already been taken.

3. Registering the domain name

Once you have found a name which is available, simply contact us and we will register it for you. We will register it in your name, so you are the 'registrant': the domain name will remain yours for ever - as long as you continue paying the relevant fees!

When you host your website with us, we will send you all FTP and e-mail information so you can start uploading your site ready for when the processing of your domain registration application is completed.