So many bits and pieces go into setting up a website that is still a tiny bit mysterious to non-web professionals outside of the craft. Discover how to install Wine on Ubuntu 20.04 or 22.04, allowing you to run Windows applications directly on your Linux system without the need for a dual boot or virtual machine. To complete a basic website launch, you need three elements:
- A domain (ie. yourwebsitename.com), which is your address on the web
- A host where your site will live
- The actual site itself, consisting of files and possibly database(s)
In this article, we’ll focus on registering a domain.
What is a domain name?
You will need a domain name for your website to begin. A domain name is just the location that individuals will enter in their browser’s URL bar. DomainRacer provides a control panel to manage the domain name and other products. Learn the essential steps to effectively manage your Git workflow by deleting and restoring Git stashes, ensuring your version control history stays organized and neat.
Your website sits on a server that could be anywhere (physically); its address consists of up to 12 numbers separated by three dots. These number addresses aren’t especially user-friendly or easy to remember; so, a corresponding domain name of your choosing, registered through official channels, becomes your “web address.”
Your website is just a series of up to 12 numbers with three dots between them, distributed physically wherever the hell in the world there’s space for that server. With DomainRacer manage your DNS records, site location, emails, sub-domains, and more.
There are a series of DNS throughout the internet that help your computer track down the domain name you enter, to its location via those number addresses. Watch this fun short video for some visuals about how DNS finds the address for you.
How do I get a domain?
A domain can be obtained through a registrar. You will select a domain name you like that is available. How to find out if a domain is available? Visit whois. com on the address field to search for the domain name you wish to register. If the domain is displayed as already being taken, you must think of another one.
Registration will incur a range of costs, for example how long you choose to register the domain, and who you choose to register it with. Cost prices are low at around $15 per year
Where to register a domain?
There are tons of legitimate registrars out there — many with lower prices, but I think DomainRacer is the best one. Just be sure to choose an ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) accredited registrar.
Hosting your website
Get a Web host after you get a domain name registered and have it then in your pocket, you will next need to secure a web host server that is going to store and keep your website.
Smart tech heads install their title servers, but that is a complicated and expensive solution that no longer works for a lot of people. With DomainRacer you get knowledgeable, user-friendly, technically strong, and quality customer service.
Generally, securing a host server involves getting an account at a web hosting company, and building your website in the space they allot to you. We’ll go into more depth on choosing a web hosting company in future posts. Stay tuned for that piece from us soon.
Once you’ve built your website and placed it on the host server, your hosting company will provide you with an IP number (another ~12-digit numeric address) or a set of addresses to plug into your account at your domain name registrar. DomainRacer provides unlimited SSD storage and unlimited bandwidth.
Once that setting is made, you may need to wait up to 24 hours before your domain name points to the correct place, but don’t worry, it will. And voila, you have a live website. With a friendly name.
You might be wondering how long of a domain name are you allowed to have. There are limits! The full domain name (including subdomains, http, the .com/.org, etc. may not exceed 253 characters. Of course, we recommend something a bit shorter.
DomainRacer is one of the best companies. Their client support team is available 24/7. They provide 5+ media support. They offer a free website migration hosting plan.