1. It's a Great Investment:
By choosing the right name now you could be laying your golden egg for the future as domains can become very valuable - just ask the individual who purchased and subsequently sold the name business.com for example! Hint: we're talking about a number with plenty of zeroes on the end!

WARNING: THE VALUE OF YOUR INVESTMENT CAN GO THROUGH THE ROOF!

2. Protect Your Name:
It doesn't matter whether you want to use your name now or in the future, it's important to register and protect your name now. This is because domain names are unique and sold on a first-come first-served basis. Don't let somebody else, especially a competitor, beat you to your own name. Domain name availability continues to diminish as more and more people realise that they can't ignore the internet. In the time it takes you to read this short guide, over 100 domain names will probably have been registered. Is one of those domains your personal or business name? With the amazing growth of the internet, 20,000 domain names are being registered by companies and private users every day. New internet technologies are increasing this number rapidly. Even if you do not intend to use a domain name yet but would like your own name in the future you should reserve your chosen name by registering it as soon as possible. You don't have to use it straight away and once a name is registered it cannot be used by anyone else without your permission.

Instead of a naff boring e-mail address such as tom382@tomhoy38218.freeisp.co.uk, why not have tom@tomhoy.com? A proper e-mail address instantly conveys an air of professionalism.

Again, instead of publishing your web site for personal or company use at some rubbish internet address, you could have an address like www.tomhoy.co.uk