The Key Aspects of Domain Management

Registering a domain name is a very easy process that can be done by almost anyone. For the most part, all you have to do is find a registrar, select the name, enter some information, submit the payment and the domain is all yours. It is really as simple as that. However, some people start to experience problems after the registration process has concluded and the time comes to manage the domain. This is when you encounter foreign terms such as name servers, domain forwarding and others that lead to utter confusion. Rest easy. The situation is not as perplexing as you might think. In fact, once you understand the aspects that go into it, managing a domain can be just as simple as registering one. In this article we will go over some of the most important elements you need to make yourself familiar with when managing your domain.

Name Servers

You will learn to embrace name servers shortly after registering your domain with the registrar. The company you purchased a web hosting service from will notify you that these name servers much be changed and pointed to them in order for the domain to function properly with your website. So, what exactly is a name server? In non technical terms, it is simply the name of the server you domain and site will be hosted on. When logging into your domain account to make the adjustments, the host will ask you to enter text that looks something like this: NS1.YOURHOST.COM and NS2.YOURHOST.COM The purpose they serve is to let the DNS know where the files for your website are located. This way, when a user types your URL into their browser, the DNS knows exactly where to direct them to, which is normally your homepage.

Domain Forwarding

Also referred to as domain redirecting, domain forwarding is the process of pointing a domain to another existing website. This method can be very useful as it gives you the ability to have multiple domains for a single website. For instance, you can take a .net domain and point it to the same website designated for your .com extension. By doing this, you can make the most of your domain investments and expand your presence without having to spend money for an additional website.

Domain Locking

Once you register a domain, it is critical to understand whether the name is locked or unlocked. If the name is not locked, then it is at the mercy of domain thieves and hackers looking to steal your precious internet identity. The most savvy criminals can access your account, manipulate the system and gain total control of your domain. Therefore, unless you are requesting a transfer, your domain name should be locked all times.

Conclusion

It may take some getting used to, but you will find that managing your domain name is a piece of cake. This is specially true if you start out with more than one. Even if you get lost, a reputable hosting provider and registrar will be more than happy to walk you through the process.