Choosing a domain name is one of the first items on any online entrepreneur’s to-do list. Once you have taken the time to choose the “.com” to represent your company your next step is finding the best deal possible to acquire it. If you’re a savvy buyer you would like to get the most bang for your buck. The 3 points to look at for whatever you’re buying is Price, Value, and Service. Here’s what you should be looking for before purchasing a domain name.

Price

Domain names are usually purchased from web hosting companies on an annual basis. You’ll have the option to prepay multiple years. Prices range from just a few dollars per year when you catch them on sale to upwards of $20 or $30 annually. Try to stay on the low end of that range. You should not pay more than $10 per year for your domain. There are so many domain name registrars it will be tough to choose. The difference in them lies in value and service.

Value

You want to get as much with your domain name as possible. One of the most important and yet simple marketing devices is e-mail. Having your own e-mail account associated with your domain name helps to build your brand. It’s much more professional for to respond to customer questions from support@yourdomain.com and people will remember your domain name. Get one that includes an e-mail account.

Some other features to look for are free - For Sale - pages or starter pages while you get your website ready, free domain name forwarding if you already have a website, and free change of registration if you sell the domain name. You should not be charged for any of these.

Service

This is the simplest of the bunch. You want 24/7 customer service for those of us who work nights, a FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) section provided by your web hosting company for quick solutions for common problems, and Email Support. These will help you get your problems fixed quickly and efficiently which will save you time and money.

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