domain name care and setup

		Firstly, you will need to head to a domain registration website. Good quality domain websites are changing all the time, so we will recommend the best at the time when you are purchasing your website. For the purposes of this example however, this will just be a guide for a generic domain registration website. Once at the website, there is typically a button for 'domain names' or a field where you are able to enter a domain name of your choosing as in the example in figure 1. Enter the name you desire and click on the 'order' button.
figure 1

		The next screen will usually show you if that particular domain name is available. In this case the domain name is free, but if it isn't, you may need to enter a different name, insert a hyphon in between words, or you could select an alternative extension. So instead of having a .com.au you might select a .net or .net.au. (see figure 2) Once you have an address you are happy with, click 'add selection to order' to proceed to the next page.
figure 2

		The next step is verify your domain selection. For this screen you do not require hosting. Make sure that you have selected no hosting, and only domain registration. With this selected, click the next button. (see figure 3)
figure 3

		Upon completing this selection, you will be asked whether to 'park my domain name for later use' or to 'delegate'. For this screen select the park domain option as seen in figure 4. Parking is essentially the registrar holding on to the domain name for so that nobody else is able to use it. Even though you are yet to apply this name to your website, this domain is reserved for you. If your domain registration screen is different to this, remember that it is absoultely important that you only select domain registration. You do not require any email facilities, hosting or any other extras. Once complete click 'continue' to continue. The next screen will ask you to login. If you don't have an account, then simply sign up for one to access the next area. Make sure you keep a record of these details for future reference.
figure 4

The next screen you will be required to fill out will be for your eligibility for a .com.au address (as they are restricted to Australian businesses). Just fill in your necessary details before clicking next to continue.

You then receive billing information for your domain. Fill these details out and then submit. Once this is completed, the domain registration is finalised, and your addressed is reserved away, ready to applied to your website. You will be sent an email from the website registrar that will contain all the details about your account, who the account was purchased from, username and password as well as IP details.

It is very important so ensure that this email is stored in a safe place for easy retrieval.

Remember, when purchasing a domain, all you will need is the domain name. You do not need hosting, email facillities or any extras that most websites will try and sell.

Domain Name Maintenance
It is important that once your website is setup and running that it is all maintained correctly. The following is some advice to follow when managing your domain name account, and how to look after it to ensure your website continues to run smoothly.

Important... Domain Renewal Advice - What do I do when I get my renewal notice for my domain name
If you don't renew your domain name and it expires, then the registrar will turn off the domain name and the website will stop working. You need to keep a record of who your domain name is registered with, and when the expiry date is. Be careful as scammers will try to get you to pay them for domain name renewal when you are not registered with them. But if you know who you're registered with, then you will be able to spot the fakes straight away. It is important that you keep a record of who you registered with and what you paid, so that when renewal time comes about, you are aware of all the details about your account.