Looking for a specific domain name?

All domains are registered to the owners directly. The details used for registration are on a public database and you can perform a whois lookup from many different sites on the web. The registrant information will always show and this allows anyone wanting to contact someone regarding a site to get the information easily. Sometimes you may not want your contact information shown on a public database and we understand that! Spiral Hosting offer a WHOIS ID protection service as an add on for specific domain extensions. It will show on the order screen as you progress through. If there is no option for WHOIS opt-out or ID protection, the registrant information cannot be hidden for that particular domain extension.

What ID protection does is mask the registrants information with a company who redirects email communications to your real email address that was used for registration. In other words, instead of showing your email address, full name, address and other contact details, it shows a WHOIS Privacy company and a specific dedicated email address that will forward to the email address used to sign up. Please note, you can only opt out if you are a non-trading individual. if you are a business, your domain registrant information cannot be hidden.

Think of domains like commercial property. You have a great location (domain) but another one pops up that would be great for your business. You can afford it and can fit it out with supplies you already have (your existing website!) but you hold off and don’t make a decision. Then a rival company starts up and they buy that location (domain). Then a few years later they buy a second property (another domain!). Now they have two locations in areas you didn't buy and they begin to expand and grow much quicker than you. You now can’t afford to buy that location off them because it’s a premium spot for you, just like buying an already registered domain. See how this can have a detrimental effect on business development? Domain extensions are your shopfronts, make sure you use them and get them while they are available!

This question is not an easy one to answer. However we’ve set up a 6 point plan that covers the main points when registering a domain:

1. Make it Easy to Type
Finding a domain name that's easy to type is critical to online success. If you use slang, abbreviations or words with multiple spellings, it may be harder for customers to find your site so bear that in mind when deciding on a domain name.

2. Keep it Short
If your domain name is long and complex, you risk customers mistyping or misspelling it. Short and simple is the way to go.

3. Stick to your Brand
Keep your brand in your online presence. Do you have a tagline you use a lot? Do you sell a product range that could expand and so you need to me broader, or do you have a very niche selection of products or services that won’t change?

4. Target Your Area
If your business is local, consider including your city or state in your domain name to make it easy for local customers to find and remember.

5. Avoid Numbers and Hyphens
Numbers and hyphens are often misunderstood — people who hear your website address especially on radio ad’s for example, don’t know if you're using a numeral (5) or it's spelled out (five) or they misplace or forget the dash. If you need these in your domain, register the different variations (5 and five for example) to be safe!

6. Use an Appropriate Domain Name Extension
Extensions such as .COM or .CO.UK, are the most popular. These can have specific uses, so make sure to choose one that works for your business. .COM is the most popular, but depending on your location or brand image other domain names like .CO.UK, .IE, .ORG & .NET are also very popular.
New extensions such as .CLOTHING, .GALLERY, .PHOTOGRAPHY, .COFFEE and many more! Tip: You don't need to build a website for every domain. Just forward any additional domains to your primary website.