So why does it matter where you buy your domain names?

No two registrars are same. They vary in price, services offered, ease of use, management system, etc. This is why which registrar to go with is an important decision. If you register your new domain name at one, and find you have overpaid compared to other registrars or you're not happy with service, you either have to let domain drop when registration expires or pay to register it again in order to transfer it to another registrar.

The following are main factors to consider when choosing a registrar when buying a domain. Whether you are buying a new domain or thinking of transfering an existing domain to a different one, consider these before choosing:

1. PRICE

The price you pay for your standard .com, .net or .org domain can vary greatly between registrars. While there are "free" domain name services available, many of them either buy domain themselves and only permit you "use" of name, or force you to place large frames full of advertisements on your site in exchange for domain name.

The cheapest you can expect to pay for a domain name would be between $12 and $15. At others you may expect to pay from $20 to $35 a year for same domain.

Remember that price is not only factor. When comparing prices, take into account other services offered by registrar, their customer support, testimonies, etc.

2. SERVICES

A second domain name pointing to your web site can give you guaranteed top placement in Yahoo (with over 25% of all online searches).

If you are just starting a web site, you can choose a domain name that will get top directory placement and bring visitors to your site.

Most online traffic is directed to web sites by search engines and directories (over 50% by most estimates). Many sites get more visitors from specialized directories related to subject matter of their site than from search engines. Visitors coming from directories specializing in what you offer are much more likely to be genuinely interested in your products or services. That means qualified customers coming to your site.

When people input search words into search engines and directories, they produce lists of web sites (often thousands) related to search words. Unless you are at or near top of list, it's very unlikely people will ever find your listing. How do you get to top of list?

Here are some key strategies for getting your site placed at top of list ahead of those thousands of sites in search results. Use these strategies to get major numbers of qualified interested visitors to your site.

Top Directory Placement

To place high in directories you must learn to use key features of directories. All directories list alphabetically:

Yahoo lists alphabetically by domain name Yahoo puts a few web sites at top of list that have key search words in domain name Many directories list alphabetically by page title

For guaranteed high placement in directories you need:

Domain name with alphabetical priority Domain name with high scoring search words Page title with alphabetical priority

Alphabetical Priority

The key here is that numbers appear before letters and symbols appear before numbers in alphabetical listings.