When you decide to establish a new website, one of the first things you should do is register the domain name for the site.  Why?  How?  And what is a domain name, anyway?  Here are our answers to some of the questions you may be asking:

What's a domain name?
Put simply, a domain name is a type of address assigned to a website on the Internet.  Yes, just as buildings each have unique addresses, so do websites.  There are practical reasons for this:  If every building in the world didn't have a unique address, a functioning postal service would be virtually impossible!  Likewise, if every website didn't have its own unique address, the Internet as we know it could not exist.

A domain name is typically an easily-remembered word or phrase, followed by a suffix like ".com" or ".net."  Some well-known domain names include "google.com" and "amazon.com."  When you type a domain name into your browser's address bar and hit Enter or click the "Go" button, your computer sends that domain name out to your Internet service provider's domain name system (DNS) server, which is a computer that functions like a giant index. 

Here's where it gets a bit more complicated:  The DNS server cross-references the domain name you've requested with a list of unique Internet Protocol (IP) addresses assigned to that domain.  This process, which is called "resolving" the domain, is similar to looking up someone's phone number in a gigantic phonebook.  Once the DNS server has resolved the domain, it sends a request for information out to the appropriate IP address.  That data is relayed back to your computer, causing the appropriate website to appear on your screen.

The reasoning behind this double-addressing scheme is simple:  Computers understand numbers more readily than they understand words or phrases.  Humans find it much easier to remember words and phrases.  Most of us don't need to know that, when we go to "yahoo.com," our computer is actually finding that website by resolving the domain name to "216.109.117.206," "216.109.118.70," or any one of a hundred other IP addresses.

So, in a nutshell, a domain name is an easy-to-remember address given to a website on the Internet.  Every website on the Internet has one.  Yours will, too.

How do I get a domain name?
Easy.  You can register your domain name right now with KMET Solutions, just contact us.  We accept all major credit cards.  When you register a domain name with us, we'll automatically check on the availability of that domain name, and let you know whether or not you can have it.  Once you've selected an available domain name, we'll lock it for you, so that no one else can have it.  We'll even include an "under construction" page free of charge!  That's a feature you usually won't get without a webhosting account!

You don't have to be ready to purchase your domain name today in order to check on its availability.  Just go to our registration page and fill out the form with the domain name you want.  We'll let you know whether or not you can have it.  We won't ask for your billing information until you've selected a domain name that's available.

How soon should I choose and register my domain name?
You should register your domain name as soon as possible!  If you already know what domain name you'd like, you should register it right now!

Remember, domain names are unique; no two websites can have the same domain.  If somebody else registers "www.polkadotpanther.com" before you do, then you can't have that address unless you arrange to buy it from that company or individual.

Your website does not need to be completed before you purchase your domain name.  In fact, it's best if you haven't even started work on your website at all!  The reason for this is pretty obvious if you think about it.  Can you imagine spending lots of time and money developing a website called "how stuff works," only to find out later that "howstuffworks.com" is already a registered domain?  You'd end up having to choose a new title for your website, and having to redesign all your title-graphics!

When you register your domain through KMET Solutions, we'll immediately let you know whether or not that domain name is available.  Once you've selected an available domain name, we'll lock it for you, so that no one else can have it.  We'll even include an "under construction" page free of charge!  That's a feature you usually won't get without a webhosting account!

What should I consider when choosing my domain name?
First of all, you should be aware that domain names can contain only letters, numbers, or dashes (-).  Spaces, periods, or other characters are not vaild.  Also, note that domain names are not case-sensitive; capital letters are converted to lowercase ones.  Given those guidelines, you should try to choose a name that's memorable, and which reflects the actual content of your website.  Your company's name might be a good domain name, if it's not already registered by someone else.

Once I register my domain name, what do I do then?
As far as your domain name is concerned, you only need to remember to renew it every year.  We'll send you a reminder (through email) well in advance.  If your website isn't hosted by us, you'll need to give us your webhost's DNS settings.  Likewise, if you ever move your website to a new webhosting account, you'll need to change your DNS settings at that point.  We will provide you with a website where you change your DNS settings whenever necessary. 

Typically, a new domain name takes 24 to 48 hours to propogate through the Internet and become active.  The same holds true for any changes made to DNS settings.

Why should I order my domain name from Kmet Solutions?
Not only do we offer very low rates for domain name registration ($14.95 per year), but we'll also provide you with an "under construction" page (at no additional charge) which will be displayed until you're ready to put your website online!

After you've registered your domain, we'll lock it so that it can't be registered to anyone else.  We'll also give you access to a website where you can change the DNS settings, if necessary, to point to any webhosting account you might have.

Remember, a new domain name takes 24 to 48 hours to propogate through the Internet and become active.  The same holds true for any changes made to DNS settings.