When you start building a website from scratch, there are some basic steps you need to take in order to get things working. The first of these is securing a great domain name. Your domain name is the key to your website's address. It's also the part after the "@" in your company e-mail addresses. So exactly what is a domain name? It's the my_company in a web address like www.my_company.com. Picking the right one is, as you can imagine, very important. A great domain name should let customers know who you are, be easy to remember, and be available.

Put lots of thought into your domain name. Come up with a list of as many good names as you can think of. You'll have your favorites, but consider that lots of other folks have probably already thought of the best ones. Here are a few dos and don'ts to keep in mind as you brainstorm:

• Do think of names that are easy to remember.
• Do make sure your domain name reflects your business, preferably your business's name.
• Do try to keep it short and simple.

• Don't use cryptic acronyms or words that nobody will understand.
• Don't register a name that might infringe on someone else's trademark.
• Don't use odd spellings that people won't remember.
• Don't use too many words unless you're sure people will remember it.

Once you have a nice list of potential names, it's time to see which ones are available. Available from whom, you ask? Domain names are available for lease from one of the many companies who offer domain registration services. Examples of domain registrars are Network Solutions and GoDaddy. Prices for domain registration can vary a great deal, so be sure to shop around.

Before you jump into paying for a domain name, here are a couple of things to consider carefully. First, make sure that you're dealing with a legitimate, ICANN-accredited registrar. It's possible for a company to register domain names as a reseller, only to close a few months later. That leaves your domain name's registration status unclear. Not all resellers are bad companies, but it's good to make sure that the company you're dealing with will be around for a long while. A good place to start your research is the ICANN list of accredited registrars. Second, be extremely wary of companies offering domain name pre-registration. It's probably a scam, and reading the FTC's consumer alert concerning this is a good idea.

Each registrar's website features a tool called a Domain Search, sometimes called a WhoIs search. Using this tool is straightforward. Just enter the domain name that you want and hit the search button. The tool then tells you whether or not your domain name is available or taken. Actual use of the Domain Search may differ a little from site to site, so just make sure you read the instructions. Be prepared - it's very possible that your favorite domain names are already taken. This is where that long list comes in handy. If you've thought of enough good names, one of them will almost certainly be available.

When you find the available domain name that you want, go ahead and grab it! It's the first, and perhaps most frustrating, step in establishing a firm online presence. Once that's out of the way, you're off to the fun part - setting up your website and wowing the world!