inetUSA Knowledge Base Answers
Print This Page

Domain Names and Domain Pointers

Choosing your website domain name is one of the most important decisions you will make regarding your website. Your domain name is your identity on the internet and how your website visitors will find you. You have several options for your website domain name. You can register your own domain names (see below for more information about registering domain names), you can use a domain name that you've already registered, or you can use one of the domain names available free with your website. This tutorial will cover how to register a new domain name, how to use an existing domain name, and how to change your domain name to a free "shared" domain.

If you already own a Domain Name
If you already have your own domain name, you can easily use that domain name with your website. A few simple changes to your domain name record will "point" your domain name to your website. Follow the simple step-by-step instructions below to point your existing domain name to your website.

Using an existing (previously registered) domain name
  1. Select "Domain Tools" from the Tools menu to display the Coaching page.
  2. Click on "Add/Register Domain Names (Pointers)" to display the Domain Name Options available.
  3. Click on "Use a Domain Name You Already Own" and follow the steps on this screen to make your domain record changes and setup your domain name to work with your website.
  4. Domain name changes normally take 24-48 hours to become effective. Your domain name should begin working during that time frame.

Registering a New Domain Name
  1. Select "Domain Tools" from the Tools menu to display the Coaching page.
  2. Click on "Add/Register Domain Names (Pointers)" to display the Domain Name Options available.
  3. Click on "Add/Register Domain Names (Pointers)" and enter your desired domain name and click "Check Domain" to check the domain name availability. Do not enter the "http" or "www" here!
  4. If your desired domain name is available, click the "Register Domain Name Now" option to begin the registration process.
  5. Follow the instructions on the domain registration screens to register and setup your domain name.
  6. Domain name changes normally take 24-48 hours to become effective. Your domain name should begin working during that time frame.

Using a Free "Shared" Domain Name
We have several domain names already registered and available for you to use. All you need to do is place your own name with one of our shared domain names to make your own unique domain. When using a shared domain name, you will be using your own unique name instead of "www" in your domain name. You can use a free shared domain name until they find your own domain name to register, or you can use a shared domain name for your website permanently.

To use a Shared Domain Name
  1. Select "Domain Tools" from the Tools menu to display the Coaching page.
  2. Click on "Add/Register Domain Names (Pointers)" to display the Domain Name Options available.
  3. Click on "Use a Shared Domain Name" to display the shared domain names availabe and view some examples of how to effecively use a shared domain name.
  4. Select the shared domain name that you want and follow the instructions for setting up this domain name with your website
  5. There is no "waiting period" for using a shared domain name - it will work immediately after your setup.

What are Domain Pointers?
Simply put, domain pointers allow your website to be accessed by multiple domain names (or URLs). For example, www.billybob.com, www.williamrobert.com, www.bbfoods.com and www.wrfoods.com can all point to the same exact website if you use domain pointers. This allows you to promote your website under more than one name which will increase your web visibility.


We also offer "Enhanced Domain Pointers" that allow you to display different website designs and different menu links for each of your domain pointers. Using enhanced domain pointers gives you the ability to create multiple websites controlled from one location!

Finding the Right Domain Name
If you have not yet picked a domain name for your website, we have some tools to help you with your selection process. Click on "Help Me Find A Great Domain Name (Domain Dog)" on the Domain Tools Coaching page to view some available domain names that you can register. To register a Domain Dog domain name, simply click on the domain name to begin the registration process.

Tips on Choosing a Domain Name
A good domain name should be easy to remember, easy to spell, and preferably short. Try to register the shortest name that your customers and visitors will associate with your website. The name of your company is always a good choice if possible. If your desired domain name is already taken, you can search to see if the .net or .org variation is available. You may also use hyphens to create unique domain names.

When you find a domain name, register it immediately! Domain names are snatched up very quickly... register yours before you lose the opportunity to get the name you really want.

Domain Name Requirements
Domain names can only use letters, numbers, and dashes. Spaces and symbols are not allowed. Domain names are not case sensitive (lower case and upper case letters are the same domain name). They cannot exceed 67 characters, including the characters in the suffix (63 characters plus the 4 character .xyz). A domain name may not begin or end with a hyphen.

Multiple Domain Names
It is a good idea to register several similar domain names. If you have "yourname.com", you may also wish to register "yourname.net" so no one else takes it. You can register your full company name and a shorter, easier to remember version. Some people even register common misspellings of their company's name.