web address availability

I'm looking to have a website (well just a homepage really) for my business but I have no idea how to go about ensuring that i get the web address that I want. I have no idea whether my questions are even valid so laugh away and then help me if you can :)

1) I've typed in the address I want and it doesn't exist so presumably it's available but do I have to find out whether someone owns it? if so how do I find out who?

2) How much is it likely to cost. Is there a one off charge, an annual fee or a monthly rate? or is that all to do with hosting?

Well, you could go to this site: godaddy.com and see about addresses.

as of webhosting, you could try 1asphost.com which i think is pretty good (there are so many though, so you could, alternitavely, google it :) ).

You could however get some free webhosting too (although they usually have ads and pop-ups.. again, google for them).


Hope this helps you out :)

hey brenda.
there is no need to apologize, it takes time to learn these things.
for a website you need 2 things:

1. a domain name, which is the address where your website will be located. for example: http://www.BRENDA.com

2. a server to host your website.

to search if a domain name is available you can try: http://www.networksolutions.com

as for a server, try here:
http://www.webhostingtalk.com

they have nice plans which aren't too expensive offered there by numerous server providers.
you can also find free server providers (however they usually require you placing advertisments and are usually slow)

hope that helps

victoria.

My domain is hosted with networks solutions, and they are good, adn as stated earlier, you can lookup the name you want to see if it available. As for hosting, I have been hosted for 3 years with http://www.1and1.com and they have some packages going for 3 bucks a month, which may be just what you need. go have a look, and good luck in your business :)

Thanks ever so much for the help guys, its much appreciated. When I had my own home PC I spent far to many hours in 'The Lounge' and not enough learning the basics lol, oh those wasted hours :rolleyes:

BTW, I have no proof of this, but when I was buying a domain I was told to wait until I was actually ready to pay for one before even searching for a domain name to use. The person who told me th is said it was because the site you use to search records all searches, then for some domain names they'll prebuy them and jack up the price to you. ;)

Heard the same thing...