BACK TO BASICS
• Your domain name
• Your email address • Your website host
How Does this Help Me?
• Don't get blindsided discovering you don't own your website or domain
name.
• Don't waste money paying for redundant services from multiple providers.
• Don't miss out on the benefits of branded email because you think it's
costly or complicated ([email protected] vs.
What Is a Domain Name?
• The internet is a system of interconnected computers.• Every website needs a unique identifier (name) that acts as an address, allowing
online traffic to be successfully directed to it.
• The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) standardizes
a worldwide address system for websites.
How Do I Register a Domain Name?
Contact one of the many ICANN-authorized “registrars”.
The registrar confirms the domain name's availability.
If available, the registrar offers to register and host your domain name
on its DNS servers.
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What Are DNS Servers?
DNS stands for domain name system.
It's a network of computers basically working as a giant phone book telling other computers how to reach your domain.
Your domain name is not your website. It's an identifier used to find your website files and email.
Domain Name Location (I.P.)
YourBusiness.com 98.200.44.230 HisBusiness.com 98.200.44.231
HerBusiness.com 98.200.44.232
MyBusiness.com 98.200.44.233
Why Do I Care About My DNS?
Understanding your DNS helps prevent having
your domain name stolen …
… or inadvertently taken over by another party,
keeping you locked out for months or longer.
How do you prevent this?
Make Sure You OwnYour Domain Name
Go to www.fasterwhois.com and enter your domain name.
Confirm your name and contact info.
Domain Name: YOURBUSINESS.COM Registrar Registration Expiration Date: 2016-08-31
Registrar: ACMEHOSTING.COM
Registrant Name: John Smith
Registrant Email: [email protected]
Admin Name: John Smith
Admin Email:[email protected] Tech Name: John Smith
Tech Email: [email protected]
YOURBUSINESS
Annual registration reminders and notifications of anyone attempting to transfer ownership of your domain name are emailed to you so make sure these are good emails.
How Does My Email Work?
www.YourBusiness.com
DNS info helps “link” to your Email.
DNS Server Email Server
Domain Name Location
YourBusiness.com 98.200.44.230
- Email 98.200.44.231
You don't need a website to have a branded email address. You often get free email accounts with your domain hosting.
More About Email
[email protected] Email Server
• If you pay a third party for email services, you should be getting more than just a place to send, receive, and store emails.
• Make sure your email server doesn't exceed its size limit, or you'll stop receiving emails and see a “Mailbox is Full” message.
If you’re using the email that comes with your domain hosting, the hosting company can help talk you through getting your email working on mobile and desktop devices.
How Does My Website Hosting Work?
www.YourBusiness.com DNS Server
Domain Name Location
YourBusiness.com 98.200.44.230
- Email 98.200.44.231
- Website 98.200.44.232
www.YourBusiness.com/your-website-files
Web Hosting Server
DNS “links” to your Website
Your web hosting account is a separate account from your domain name.
Average cost range for shared hosting: $30 – $250 per year. Average starting cost for dedicated hosting: $300 (and up).
DNS
Finds and “resolves” your domain name and provides the directions.
Website Host
Directs your request to the website and opens the file that displays your home page.
Internet Service Provider
(e.g., Comcast, Brighthouse, etc.)
Uses the nearest DNS to get directions to your website.
Desktop or Mobile Device
Type in your domain name (YourBusinessName.com).
More About Web Hosting
Email works through a similar system.
Who is Hosting Your Domain Name?
(www.YourBusiness.com) Who is Hosting Your Email? ([email protected]) Who is Hosting Your Website?
(All Your Website Files)
The Main Takeaways
Your three primary “iAssets” are your domain name, your email address, and your website. Know where they are, who maintains them, and that you own them.
Did We Address These Issues?
• Don't get blindsided discovering you don't own your website or domain name
1. Check the www.fasterwhois.comdatabase.
• Don't waste money paying for redundant services from multiple providers
1. Your domain name, email, and website can all be hosted by one company.
2. Email should be free. With few exceptions, don't pay a third party for email services.
• Don't miss out on the benefits of branded email because you think it's costly or complicated
1. A domain name costs $12 or less per year and email comes with it.
2. The company hosting your domain can help you set up email and connect it to your desktop and mobile devices. 3. The company can also assist you with email forwarding.
4. The company can also forward your domain name to your LinkedIn or other social media account if you're not ready for a
