A guide to choosing domain names

A guide to choosing domain names is designed to impart specific information on the whole process involved in picking a domain name that also works as a brand ambassador for a company, individual or institution. Some of the guidelines include:

* Every domain name ends in a TLD or a Top Level Domain. This is ususally either one from the limited generic names with three or more characters or a two-character territory code. These Top-level domains or first-level domains are essentials.

* In addition to the top-level domains, there are SLDs or Second Level Doamins that are basically names to the left of the top-level domains.

* There are also third-level domains and they are placed to the left of the second-level domain. There can also be fourth- and fifth-level domains and virtually, there is no limitation on the number of levels. Each level is separated by a dot, or a dedicated period symbol.

* Domains of higher levels are also referred to as sub-domains. These technically apply to a domain of any level. The "zeroth-level" domain is designated by a dot.

* The second-level domain is usually chosen on the name of a company or product or service. The third level is designated to a particular host server.

* The harnessed technology enables multiple servers to serve a single subdomain or the multiple protocols served by a single computer.

* internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers bears the responsibility for managing the DNS and it delegates control over each TLD,w ith reference to the registration of the domain name.

* In the case of ccTLDs,  the domain registry is controlled by the government. expired domains or buy expired domains

* ICANN holds no right over the regulation of the terms and conditions of how a domain name is or should be allocated or who allocates it.

* Domain names are virtual properties and they can be improvised into a full fledged website.

* The popular domain names carry significant value because of the online brand-building potential assoicated with them.

* There are online resources that offer low-cost and even free domain registrations. They also offer a variety of models to make up the costs to the provider.

* The online resoruces that offer free and low cost domain name resgistrations, usually require the domains to be hosted on their websites, well within a framework that includes the domain holder's content and revenue to recoup the costs.

* A domain holder can give away or sell any number of sub-domains on the owned domain name, to interested parties.

* Domain names appeal to marketers and the technical audience for which they are originally intended and are used in ways that do not necessarily fit into the intended structure. The structure of domain names follow a strict hierarchy. The TLD indicates the type of organization and the address expresses complex structures that are subdomains of the parent.

* Hostnames no more simply correspond to actual physical machines on the network. The site operators frequently indulge in one or more memorable address, regardless of whether they fit properly into the structure.