Definition: Universal resource locator, or, more simply, a web page's address
Once you've decided you need a website, your first to-do item is
to make a list of possible names for your site. Then run, don't
walk, to the nearest computer, log on to the internet, go to your
favorite search engine and type in "domain registration." You'll
find a list of companies such as www.namesecure.com,
www.siteleader.com, www.nomonthly.com, www.register.com and the original www.networksolutions.com that will guide you through
domain registration.
For a modest fee ($15 to $70), you can register a domain for two
years. Register.com is particularly helpful because, like similar
services, it tells you if the name you've chosen is taken, but it
goes a step further by offering a list of alternative names that
are still available. Let's say that you sell flowers and you would
like to register your online name as www.flowers.com. A search
shows that www.flowers.com is taken. Your next choice is
www.buyflowers.com, but that's already spoken for as well.
Register.com offers several alternatives, such as
www.bulbousplants.com, www.flowersplant.com, www.flowerspath.com,
and www.digflowers.com. From the available names, choose the one
that's the easiest to spell and remember.
Once you've chosen a name, prompts on the domain registration
site will guide you through a simple registration procedure. You'll
generally be offered one-, two- or three-year registration
packages; choose based on whether you're completely happy with the
name or think you'll want to switch in a year or so.
Why is domain name registration imperative? Because more than
millions of new websites are registered each year, and your
potential competitors are snatching up thousands of domain names
every day. Everyone wants a catchy name, so registering yours
ensures that no one else can use it as long as you maintain your
registration. For a small investment, you can hold your place on
the internet until you launch.
With your e-commerce name established, evaluate your initial
advertising and office supplies budget, which should be part of
your business plan. For example, make sure you've done everything
you can offline to tell people about your site before you go
online, such as printing your web address on your business cards,
brochures, letterhead, invoices, press releases and advertisements.
Stick it on other items, too--mouse pads, T-shirts, promotional key
chains and even the company van.