Q. I'd like to start my own Web site. I've looked into registering a domain name. I was looking at sites like GoDaddy.com. But I've heard you don't actually own the domain name. The registrar owns it. You simply lease it from the registrar. Is this true? I want to own my domain name outright. Can I do this?
- John, listening in Denver on KHOW 630 AM
A. Starting a Web site can be confusing. There's plenty of information on how to build a pretty site. But the behind-the-scenes administration is rarely discussed. Let me start with that.
To have a site, you need both a domain name and Web host. The host is the company that actually houses your site. The actual data is put on its servers. The host also gives your site a unique IP (Internet Protocol) address. This address lets others find your site on the Web. It's something like 198.168.245.255.
The problem is, no one is going to remember that address. It's just a string of numbers and dots. You need something more recognizable, like words. That's where the domain name comes in.
"Happypuppies.com" is an example of a domain name. That's much easier to remember. You'll connect the domain name to the IP address for your site. Visitors will put the domain name in their browsers. The computer will figure out the correct address for them. And then your site shows up on their screens.
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