Registering a domain name is generally the first step you take when developing a web site or launching a new business. It is the primary and simple process of securing a virtual address for you to park your masterpiece of the Internet sky scape.

Many times this simple yet crucial step is over looked resulting in lackadaisical behavior that will cause you and your organization major headaches down the line.

Think of your domain name registration as the “title” to your car. If you bought a new car you would want to make sure you safe guard your title. You would leave it at your friends apartment, you would have your secretary keep it in her desk and you most certainly would register the title in someone else’s name.

So why would you do that with your valuable piece of Internet real estate…I mean sure it only cost $11.95 now but once its developed it will be worth at least $25.95 right?

So here are some simple tips to protect you and your business from facing major headaches down the line.

1) Know where your domain is registered – This sounds simple but many people dont even remember where they purchased their domain name to start with. Keep your receipt and know where your domain is registered. If you lose the info you can find where your domain is registered by using a whois inquiry.

2) Safe Guard your login info – Be sure to keep your login information on record but store it in a safe place. You don’t want a disgruntled employee or partner transferring, canceling or attempting to steal company domain names.

3) Keep your Who-Is-Record up to date – You are required by ICANN to keep your whois records up to date every year. If you don’t update your whois info they can seize your domain.

4)Keep your admin email address current – This is vital, you need access to your admin email because if you have any issues with the domain this is where your notifications will be sent. If you don’t have access to this email account you will have trouble transferring and renewing your domains.

5) Consolidate all your domains under one account – For the sake of simplicity and peace of mind keep all your domains registered under one account. This will make it easy to keep track of expiring domains.

6) Register for multiple years – By registering your domains for multiply years (I would recommend 3+) you avoid worrying about your domain expiring and it is generally believed that it helps with your sites SEO rankings.

7) Never register with an ISP(internet service providers) or shady registrar – Use an domain registrar that you can trust. Consider utilizing your web master or web site developers registration service. It is in their best interest to keep your site up and running. Many registration companies will attempt to make it as hard as they possibly can to transfer your domain and than they will hit you with exuberant fees to renew. ISP’s are notorious for having terrible control panels and poor customer service.

So keep your domain under control and watch your web site grow with out all the little annoyances and headaches of misregistering a domain name.