Your Domain Name
Domain names come in a variety of flavors that are applicable to a community’s goals
.com = Commercial
.org = Organization
.gov = Government
.mobi = for sites related to mobile devices
The part of the domain name unique to your address (i.e., smithcounty) should reflect your purpose and be something that your target audience would find easy to remember and spell.
Of course, it also has to be available.
Owning the most common options is a good idea, but only one should be promoted!
Find out if your domain name is available.
Go to the following sites, and start typing in some possible names for your site.
Network Solutions
http://www.networksolutions.com/whois/index.jsp
Domain Tools
http://whois.domaintools.com
.gov domains are treated a bit differently.
Requires registration process and availability
To see what is available with a .gov domain, check this site.
Dot Gov
http://www.dotgov.gov/whois.aspx
Begin at: Government Domain and Registration Services - dotgov.gov
Registrations that qualify for a .gov domain
- U.S. governmental departments, programs, and agencies on the federal level
- Federally recognized Indian Tribes (-NSN.gov domain)
- State governmental entities/programs
- Cities and townships represented by an elected body of officials
- Counties and parishes represented by an elected body of officials
- U.S. territories
Registrations that do not qualify for a .gov domain
- International organizations
- Commercial firms
- Privately owned organizations
- Military entities (except in special cases)
- Local (e.g., city, county, township, or parish) government programs or initiatives
- Cities, townships, counties, parishes, and other local entities that are not represented by an elected body of officials
