Creating a website can be a wonderful hobby and can result in a profitable business, but there are some minor expenses you should expect when starting out. If you look around, you will find many free options, but as a seasoned webmaster, I recommend staying away from free website hosting services, and free subdomains.

Purchasing A Domain

The first step in building a website is to obtain a domain name. A domain name is simply your website address. Without a domain name, internet surfers can not find you. When you choose a domain name, aim for simplicity and a descriptive name. For instance, if your website is about used cars, you will probably want a domain something like "www.Johns-Used-Cars.com."

The example above demonstrates search engine friendly features and establishes a clear interpretation of what the sites subject matter is. You want to avoid grouping of words with no separation. I run across many website domains that look like this: www.johnsusedcars.com . I would avoid this format because many surfers will not be able to break the words apart to understand the meaning. Besides web surfer impressions, Google and other search engines may not be able to decipher what the website is about either.

Hyphen Or Underscore

To separate two words in a domain, you have two choices. A hyphen or an underscore. It has been assumed in the past that a hyphen will be more search engine friendly than an underscore, but keep in mind the internet is a changing entity. The old saying that a hyphen is better may no longer be relevant, but is it worth testing when your success is at stake? In my personal opinion, I suggest always take the safe road when you have the choice on something that may seem indifferent. Go for the hyphen instead of the underscore just in case.

Choosing A Domain Registrar

When you are ready to buy your domain name, you will need to go to a domain registrar. Don't worry, there domain registrars are right on the internet and are pretty easy to work with. Simply use their search feature to look up available domains. When you find the one you want, you will be instructed to setup an account and pay for the domain. 

Pricing Of A domain Name

Domain names are not expensive. Domain names can be purchased from $1.99 to $25 (intimately) per year. The pricing will be based on the domain extension (.com, .net, .info, .org, etc), how many years you register it for, and which registrar you choose. There really isn't much of a difference between domain registrar service they offer, besides price and reputation. One of the most popular domain registrars currently is www.godaddy.com .

.Com, .Net, .Edu, Or .Info?

Now that you have chosen a domain name, you need to decide what extension you want. The most popular and most know is the good ole .Com. The web started with .Com, and most reputable sites end with .Com. Knowing this, your first choice should usually be .Com.

This isn't to say that .Net domains are less important. I personally own a .Net domain that is very well known, and .Net domains can certainly do you well. The .Net extension stands for network. This is a loose term, so the .Net extension can be applied to a standard webpage without problem. For instance, I run www.Unexplainable.Net and I can easily refer to it as the Unexplainable Network.

.Edu domain names usually represent an educational facility or an educational website. I have heard recent rumors that some search engines are penalizing websites that use the .edu extension that aren't really educational sites. Unless your website is based on educational parameters, I would recommend staying away from this extension. It could cause more bad than good.

.Info domain are relatively new and the least expensive. They stand for an informational site, or information. The .info extension can pretty much fit into any site, but they are looked down upon. These domains are good for "Toy Domains" and for promotional purposes, but I wouldn'f launch a big website with a .info domain.

That's about it when it comes to choosing a domain name. Once you purchase your domain name, you will need to find good hosting and update your domains DNS records for your website to become live. But don't worry, Mooker.com has all this information under the hosting section.

About The Author:
Jim McElwee runs Unexplainable.Net which offers the holy grail of Binaural Beats which will help you reach your goals faster than ever. Visit them today.