explain to me domain names/web page names please

[Magic_x_uk]

Hi, trying to Google the info I need. But cannot seem to find an answer.


What I am trying to find out is how do you register a website name

for arguments sake, Say I think of www.spaceblack8wood.com

it isn't a website. I have just made it up from the top of my head.

How do I buy that or register it etc. I don't know the terminology of the wording needed here as don't know much about this. But I am curious.

Can I then own www.spaceblack8wood.com (is it called a domain?).

Also what would happen if
A) someone wanted to buy it off of me
B) I wanted to sell it


Also, if I then own that web site name do I have to make a website from it. Or can I just 'sit' on the name.


Hope this makes sense.

Just curious about this.


Thank you, for any replies.

 

[gord]

You can buy any free domain from a registrar. There are plenty of registrars, but always pick a reputable one. 1&1, 123Reg etc.

You go to their site and use their domain checker to see if what you want is available for purchase. Once you have bought it, it is yours (for the period you have paid for). If someone wanted to buy it they would have to contact you or your registrar (who would contact you) and you'd enter negotiations. You don't sell your domain without a buyer. Basically you pay for the domain for a period of time, after which it expires and is free for grabs again.

You can sit on domains, but if someone comes along with a legitimate use for it then they will be given preference for its use and can have it legally taken off of you. Squatting is generally frowned upon.

 

[Magic_x_uk]

As your first paragraph says.
Someone owns/ is the registrar.

What I am trying to understand is, imagine some invention, it hasn't even been thought of yet. But when it does it will have a name. Someone will invent a name for it. It cant be on a register yet as the name doesn't even exist.

This is what I am trying to understand.



Also, when a domain name comes up for renewal, what if someone else wants to buy it. Does that cause any problems or does the person/company who has had it for the last 1-2 years etc still have first say. Or is it like Car insurance. They give you a great price the first year, just to get your business but the 2nd year the prices rocket.

Sorry for the questions. Just interested in this.

 

[gord]

There is no set list of domains. Every website you visit has had that domain registered. It is not chosen from a predefined list. So if someone invented something they would go to a registrar and say "Hey, I invented a flobber and want flobber.com", the registrar looks at their big list of registered domains (every domain registered) and says "that's fine, no one has taken flobber.com" or "oh, sorry flobber.com is already in use, maybe flobber.co.uk is OK for you?".

The previous owner usually has first say because for the months leading up to renewal the registrar will hound the owner with numerous marketing emails offering them reduced renewal prices. Domain prices are so cheap that no one should really care about the cost.

 

[Magic_x_uk]

Thank you Gord, that did clarify things for me.