All websites have a unique web address called a domain name, also known as the Uniform Resource Locator (URL). Domain names provide a convenient method to locate information and reach others on the Internent. Each domain name has a corresponding series of numbers — an IP address (called Internet Protocol number). Just like the numbers at the bottom of bank checques, IP numbers serve as routing addresses on the Internet.

You have a choice of a primary domain name or a sub-domain name for your website. A primary domain name requires registration and payment of a registration fee but it is desirable for any busines. A primary domain name has the form www.yourname.com (or .net, .org, etc.). web options, inc. can purchase a primary domain name registration for you with both our Custom Design and Build-Yourself Web Sites or if you elect to use us to provide you with hosting services.

With a sub-domain name "yourname" follows after the nameof the host having the form www.hostname.com/yourname. While a sub-domain name does not require registration and has no fee, a sub-domain name has major disadvantages, including but not limited to the following:

• necessity to change your URL if you move your site to a different host,

• you may encounter problems if your host does not provide reliable service and ongoing support

• in the event that the host goes out of business or discontinues sub-domain name support, your site will go down causing inconvenience and frustration while investigating another host and linking with a new sub-domain name.

• your name, and therefore your image and visability, is in a subsidiary position and

• it may be a more difficult-to-remember URL.

Once you have decided to have a website, it is advisable to choose and register a primary domain name promptly before someone else takes it. A short, easy-to-remember name is desirable.

What does it mean to "register" a domain name? Again, only primary domain names require registration. The Internet domain name system (DNS) consists of a hierarchical directory of all the domain names and the corresponding computers registered to particular companies and persons using the Internet. When you register a domain name, it will be associated with the host on the Internet designated during the period the registration is in effect... or can be "parked" until a host is established and a website formatted.

By registering a domain name and its associated IP address, it is possible to "trace" communications generated from the domain, and this technology is as such what is utilized by security professionals to attempt locating those who abuse the Internet by with virus transmissions, hacker attempts, and spam email.

What is the appropriate domain name suffix for your business or organization?

The three primary suffixes for domain names are .com, .net and .org. There are countless companies competing with one another in businesses on the Internet known as "registrars." web options, inc. conveniently provides this service free of charge to its clients.

What are the rules for registration of .net and .org names?
They are the same as for .com.

If a .com domain name is unavailable, should one proceed with a .net? Traditionally, .net is used by organizations involved in Internet infrastructure activities and .org is frequently used by not-for-profit organizations. Others options for businesses do exist to include .biz, .bz, and .info to name a few.

We can determine for you whether any domain name is available at with the U.S. Department of Commerce.

We can advise our clients on primary and alternate domain name possibilities when there is uncertainty involved or when logical name variations for a client are unavailable.

Once a domain name is determined to be available, web options, inc. registers that domain name on our client's behalf. After contracting with a client to build a site, we have all the necessary information required to enter into a domain name registration contract with the registrar. We will be asked to provide various contact and technical components, and the registrar will then keep records of that contact information and submit the technical information to a central directory known as the "registry." This registry provides other computers on the Internet the information necessary to send you e-mail or to find your web site once it is published.

Yes. Information about who is responsible for specific domain names is publicly available in the central directory or "registry" as described above, and this permits enforcement of consumer protection, trademark, and other laws in addition to resolution of any technical problems encountered on a site.

The registrar makes domain name ownership and al related information available to the public on "Whois" sites such as:

• The Network Abuse Clearinghouse site at http:// www.abuse.net where their mission is to promote responsible net commerce and encourage others to assist in stamping out the use of spam.

• Access to a myriad of lookup tools on UXN Spam Combat (http://combat.uxn.com) where it is possible to access a Worldwide Whois lookup for the owners of domain names or an IP Whois to find out similar information when only an IP number is known.

The above tools are used not only by many to trace email spam, but can also be utilized in conjunction with Firewall programs to learn the identity of those involved in hacker attempts on systems.

For an additional charge, the registrar can provide a privacy program that prohibits the general public from having access to your private identity or business information such as name, address, phone and email address. This is a valuable way to prevent identity theft and spamming from unscrupulous advertisers or those who might sell your information to them. We highly recommend this small additional annual charge as a security measure.