5 Domain Name Registration Myths Debunked
Our ability to communicate is one of the key distinctions between home sapiens and other organisms on planet Earth. We can use sign language, written words and numbers, reading, vocalised use of written language, facial expressions and body language – the list goes on seemingly indefinitely.
We share information with one another in many ways: sentiments, warnings, assertions and the things we find important. Whether those tidbits of potentially useful information are entirely accurate, half-truths, or chock-full of inaccuracies, we, as humans, still find ourselves sharing them with friends, family members, colleagues, and even strangers.
Myths are shared every single day within every society on earth and the only way to combat them is to address and identify them.
Domain Names Are Subject To Myths Too
People can do great things with the Internet, but some people are scared to start their own websites because they believe domain names are difficult to create exorbitantly expensive and other inaccurate assumptions.
Let’s dig into five of the Internet’s most popular myths regarding domain names, areas of common confusion, and sources of truth behind them.
What Are Domain Names, Exactly?
Before we delve into the five most common myths concerning domain names, it’s important that we eliminate any sources of confusion regarding what a domain name actually is.
Every home in the United States, Canada, and most everywhere across the world has a registered physical address, one that’s unique from all others on the planet.
123 Sesame Street, New York City, New York, 10001 is an example of a street address. The address identifies precisely where the individual, business, or attraction is located. To send letters to that address, you can’t spell 321 Sesame Street, New York City, New York, 10101, as doing so would effectively deliver letters to an entirely different location.
www.gmail.com is an example of a website. Someone with a Gmail email account – let’s assume their username is Bob – would spell their email address as Bob@gmail.com.
Some other popular domain names are reddit.com, hotmail.com, and yahoo.com.
Now that we’ve clearly defined what domain names are, let’s step into the five most popular myths regarding domain name registration.
1. Only Wealthy People And Big Corporations Can Afford To Register Domain Names
When the Internet began gaining traction two decades ago, many individuals and companies registered virtually every domain name imaginable. Many have been sold over the years for astronomical sums of money. One of these domains includes PrivateJet.com, sold in 2012 for over $30 million.
However, an infinite number of domain names are available for purchase online. The majority of them don’t exceed amounts ranging in the tens of dollars if that. Many domain names are actually available from as low as $0.99 per year of operation.
This myth does have a layer of truth on which it’s based. However, with the majority of domain names that you might consider you will never have to fork over astronomical sums.
2. If I Register A Domain Name, I Own That Domain Name
Nobody in the world maintains absolute ownership over their domain names. They’re required to renew them every so often, typically every few years following registration.
In general, domain name registration occurs on an annual basis. At the end of the registration period, the most recent registration will have the advantage of being able to claim it again. However, if you, or whoever most recently registered that domain name, fail to re-register the domain, anybody in the world can register the domain under their own, individual name, business or organisation.
It’s important to understand that owning a domain name forever is impossible.
Don’t let the re-registration slip through your hands.
3. Domain Names Are Only For Websites
This fact is wholeheartedly false. As discussed above, it’s true that domain names are often used to create individual, business or professional email addresses.
However, domain names can also be used as a link to a social media page, even if that domain’s website is entirely undeveloped. Domains can also be used to direct Internet users to other online presences, ranging from channels on Youtube to musical pages on Soundcloud and story-sharing entities on Snapchat or Instagram – the list goes on…..
Even if you’re not interested in hosting a website, you should still consider registering a domain name for any other uses you might have planned.
4. No Matter What, Registering Domain Names Is Super Tedious
Today’s standard model of securing a domain name involves consulting a domain hosting site, like Go Daddy, and searching for any available domains. You can search for any keywords, phrases, or industries you’d like, the most popular domain name registrars will have loads of sites related to what you’re looking for.
Domain name registration is in no way difficult – try it out, and see for yourself.
5. Domain Names Are Only For Big Business
False.
While it’s true that a majority of small businesses don’t have domain names, entities that operate websites open to the public are statistically more likely to scale upwards, draw in more revenue, and experience higher levels of customer satisfaction than those that don’t maintain websites.
If you own a small business, you should never ignore the benefits of operating a star-studded website. It’s not as difficult as you think.
