How to Get and Manage Domain Names

Once you’ve chosen your domain name, conduct domain name and trademark searches. If your domain name is available, register it with a domain name company or registrar. Registering is easy and inexpensive.Many businesses register a number of variations, just in case they want to use them later—or to avoid the risk of competitors obtaining similar names. You also may want to register common misspellings so that customers who type your address incorrectly still find their way to your site. E-commerce businesses most often register a name with “.com” as the domain name extension (the letters after the dot, also called a top-level domain or TLD). But names with “.net” and “.org” (for “organization”) are also common. Other suffixes include “.tv” for rich content/multi-media websites, “.edu” for schools and universities, “.biz” for small businesses, and “.info” for resource websites.Laws governing intellectual property are another consideration. Generally, you should avoid choosing a domain or business name that is identical or significantly similar to a trademark of another party. Even if a domain name featuring another company appears available for your registration, using it commercially could amount to trademark infringement. For specific guidance, you may wish to consult with an intellectual property attorney.