Yahoo domain registry allows you to purchase, forward, or lock a website domain. Yahoo domain hosting provides you with a domain name, as well as tools to create your business website and keep it accessible on the Internet. Building a strong web presence has become an extremely important element to running a successful business, and choosing a domain name that describes your business is crucial. Yahoo domain registration support offers tips and information to help you throughout the entire process, from picking a domain name to creating a marketable website for your business.

If you are ready to expand your business to a global level with a website, check out the following information on Yahoo domain registration for beginners:

1. Get the facts on domain registration by Yahoo and selecting a domain name for your business.

2. Understand your choices for purchasing a Yahoo domain online.

3. Be aware of your ability to transfer a currently owned domain name to Yahoo registration and hosting.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Review domain registration information to learn more

Find out all the information about what a domain name is, why it is important and how to choose a domain name for your business. You will also want to know specifically about the process for domain registration with Yahoo.

I recommend: Yahoo Domain Name Basics covers all the basic information about domains and picking a marketable name. Work.com provides a guide to walk you through all of the steps of the Yahoo domain register process as well as other useful advice. Flixya Entertainment walks you through the Yahoo domain registration process.

Know your options when shopping online for a Yahoo domain registration

You can easily purchase Yahoo domain names online with their registry. If the domain name you want is not available, you can attempt to find out who owns it and make them an offer to sell it to you.

I recommend: Yahoo Domain Search has a tool which allows you to search for a domain name for your business and purchase it. There is also information about domain hosting and creating your website. Domain Tools features information about who currently owns a domain name, as well as its history and domain names that are for sale.

Realize you can transfer your current domain name to the Yahoo domain registry

You can transfer any domain you currently own to Yahoo, regardless of where you purchased it, as long as it is not locked. If your domain name is locked, you will probably have to get it released before a transfer will be possible.

I recommend: Yahoo's Using an Existing Domain Name page provides information to help you transfer your existing domain. Yahoo Help has more facts available to guide you through transferring a domain to a new registrar.

A domain name is the first impression a person gets of your website. It should describe your business for consumers, build your online presence, improve marketing and protect your brand. The Yahoo domain name is yahoo.com. Yahoo domain registration lets you search current domain names in the Yahoo domain register, sign up for Yahoo domain names and shows the benefits of using Yahoo for your online small business needs.

While there are several companies that offer domain registration, not all companies provide the same benefits. Some companies require you to use their website hosting or download third party software to use their system. Other companies allow you to register a domain name, but don’t automatically renew the name, which opens the name up for anyone to buy.

When it comes to domain registration, Yahoo offers its clients a wide variety of services to help protect both the domain and the owner. These services include:

1. 24-hour toll free support
2. A starter webpage for your Yahoo domain
3. Domain locking and forwarding
4. DNS control

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Search the Yahoo Domain Register for available domain names

Once someone pays to register a domain name, they gain exclusive use of the name. Variations like adding (dot)org, (dot)edu, or (dot)corp may be available, but could lead to conflict down the road. Search the registry and view alternative name options to help you brainstorm a different domain name.

I recommend: Use the Yahoo Domain Register or CheckDomain.com to seek out available domain names and alternatives.

Sign up for a private domain registration with Yahoo

Each new domain name and the owner's contact information in the Yahoo domain registry and other registries become public information in the WHOIS list as required by The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). Spammers and telemarketers use your contact information from the WHOIS list to contact you for unauthorized communications. Using private domain registration, Yahoo blocks your private information with contact information for a Yahoo representative.

I recommend: Compare how your contact information looks with private registration versus without at Yahoo's Contact Information page. When you're ready, sign up for Yahoo's private domain registration.

Use Yahoo Domain Hosting for your domain name

Yahoo includes a free domain name, unlimited disk space, unlimited data transfer and unlimited email storage. You also get web page design tools and templates. These tools help you get your business website up and running quickly.

I recommend: Signing up with Yahoo hosting. If you plan to use an e-commerce website, upgrade to Yahoo Merchant Solutions for additional security features.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Use a concise domain that is easy to say, spell and remember.
• •  Don't use spaces or symbols in your Yahoo domain name.
• •  Remember that you have the right to sell any domain names you own.

If you're in the market for a website for personal or business use, check out Yahoo Domain Registration for the many options they offer for registering your domain name. Deciding among the various services and options Yahoo provides can be confusing because, from choosing a domain name to protecting your privacy online, Yahoo offers many alternatives. To help you understand the implications of some of your choices when registering for a Yahoo domain, it's helpful to learn these important terms.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Domain name

One of the first decisions you must make when you enter the Yahoo Domain Registration site is your domain name. A domain name usually begins with www. and consists of two parts: a unique name for your site and an extension. Choose a unique name that makes it easy for visitors to find your site. Frequently used extensions include .com for commercial and .org for organization. Other popular U. S. extensions include .net, .biz, .info, and .us.

I recommend: SiteGround.com and thesitewizard give suggestions on choosing the best domain name.

Locked domain name

Present laws allow Internet providers to give your name to someone else if you do not respond to their email notification within five days. To prevent this, Yahoo Domain Registration offers the option of a locked domain name. To be sure your name is locked, check your account status at InterNIC Whois. If 'registrar-lock' comes up under your domain name, it's locked, so no one can take over your name unless you unlock it.

I recommend: Keynote NetMechanic explains why you should lock your domain name.

ICANN (Internet Corporation on Assigned Names and Numbers)

People from all over the world make up ICANN (Internet Corporation on Assigned Names and Numbers), an organization geared to making the Internet safe, stable and secure. One of the ways ICANN does this is by coordinating and setting policies for the Internet's naming system. They also arbitrate domain name disputes.

I recommend: ICANN's website offers information about the group and provides links to the organization's documents, policies, resources and future plans.

Private domain registration

Yahoo Domain Registration offers private domain registration as one of the options for its subscribers. Scammers and marketers can collect regular domain names from the Internet database, but users who opt for private domain registration get listed with generic contact information. Incoming emails are screened by the contact site before they are sent on.

I recommend: Yahoo! discusses the advantages of private domain registration.

DNS control

Yahoo offers DNS (domain name server) control, which allows you to change your records. For example, DNS control lets you connect your website and email even if they're hosted at different sites.

I recommend: GoDaddy.com walks you through the steps to access total DNS control.

Web analytics

Web analytics provide statistics on your site traffic. You can see how many people view your site, where they're from, how long they stay, and many other details. You have the opportunity to sign up for all of these options when you register for a Yahoo domain.

I recommend: O'Reilly Media defines Web analytics.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  A registrar-lock status prevents domain name transfer, so be sure to unlock your domain before you try to transfer it.