2 Rent a domain name
A domain name is the globally unique identifier for a site, and hence is required.
Note that domain names are not bought outright, but are rented exclusively for a period of time. Depending upon who is responsible for managing a top level domain (TLD), like .au, there may be mandatory minimum or maximum durations. In recent years, many new TLDs have been created, and while some are not cheap, they may be useful for honing in on your intended target audience.
Internationalised domain names are now available, though not all hosting services support them. The only proviso is that between the dots (.) of a domain name, non-ASCII scripts cannot be mixed, despite what some registrar domain searches allow. Check on the IANA WHOIS Service search page, where invalid names will not be allowed. IANA is the manager of the domain name system.
Note that such domain names may show up in browser address bars as plain Latin characters preceded by xn--. This is alright, as it's a special encoding of the domain name to get around limitations of the domain name system (DNS). However, links with the proper characters will work. Just be aware that copying a URL from a browser address bar may be pasted with the plain-text encoding, which may not be what is required. Overwrite that text with a copy of just the non-ASCII text.
While some hosting providers may offer a free domain name as part of their hosting packages, and many sell names as well, because they may have coupled name availability to the continuing use of their package, it is probably better to purchase domain names from a separate registrar, just so there are no impediments to changing hosting provider later on, and the ongoing renewal cost may be much cheaper. Web hosting is a cut-throat business and the quality of their services can change over time to a point where continuing with them is untenable.
Conversely, some excellent domain registrars may offer sub-par hosting services, which would have to be changed away from fairly soon after purchase. Also, domain names can be changed between registrars, but picking a good registrar should obviate the need to do so. Many registrars offer free domain name privacy, which hides the domain name renter's contact details from being harvested.
Because hosting packages are often tied to the primary domain with which they were initially setup, and changing hosting providers in the quickest way usually retains that dependency, perhaps consider having a cheap obscure domain name to use for the hosting, and install the one really wanted as an addon domain, which is the way multiple domains are managed on one hosting plan. This is the way to manage multiple domains on the one account, and allows you to individually transfer the site to another hoster.
This procedure uses Namecheap (no kickbacks) for illustrating the steps, but it is typical of that used by all registrars, and is provided so you understand what is required, though a lot of their gaudy advertising clutter has been cut out. See your registrar's web site for how to perform other domain name tasks, such as renewing a domain name.
While many SEO sites say to register your site with Google et al, this is not necessary as they already know about your domain almost as soon as you register it, and will send their bots to it within days.
Steps
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The role to perform this procedure is: Site owner.
- a.The nature of the content, goods or services you intend to provide.
- b.Who your intended audience is and what name they are likely to respond positively to.
- c.What restrictions may apply, such as trademarks or legal trading names that may already exist.
- d.What similar looking variants may need to be purchased, just to prevent others possibly confusing potential visitors into going to another site from yours.
by performing:
by clicking on a link to it, or searching for their name.
If a registrar also offers hosting or other services, they may present a lot of opportunities and options. There will be a domain search box somewhere on their home page, but you may have to play Where's Wally to find it.
by typing into the text box provided and clicking the associated button.
A button to buy the domain will always be nearby, as shown here.
Considering most beauty pageant entrants have been saying for decades that they want world peace, it is strange that this domain name is still available. Who would have known? 😲.
by repeating whichever steps apply.