In common parlance, DNS hosting is known as web hosting. Basically, there are Internet service providers who host websites over the Internet, providing services to the companies or individuals setting up websites. Most DNS hosts take complete responsibility for purchasing and registering domain names, providing the DNS services, and designing and providing content to set up the site. They are also responsible for updating the site from time to time.

Suppose the domain name you have chosen has already been taken. Now what will you do? You may either keep searching for a name that is not yet taken, or contact the owner of the domain name and want to purchase it. Before negotiating with the owner, visit the domain name you want and check if it is active. Some owners prefer to sell the name if they are not using it at all. Some others buy domain names for selling them for a large price in the future. Be careful not to overpay for your domain name.

Australian domain names end with .au and if you choose to do business in that country and target its market, you should preferably go for an Australian domain name. Many business establishments use a com.au so that people can remember it easily. Some prefer to register both a .com and com.au so that those who forget the .au part are redirected to the correct site.

An expired domain name is a lot like a used car. You can't really be sure who owned it and what they did with it before you came along. With a used car, you risk having some high repair bills -- which is bad enough. But a used domain name can be much more expensive. The wrong name can cost you traffic, search engine rank, and respectability!

Registering a domain name is seen by many newcomers to the web as a really complicated, highly technical task that the average mortal cannot do.

Nothing could be further from the truth.