Just as post-codes are used for particular street names, computers connected to the Internet have unique numerical addresses so that electronic information is delivered to the right place. The Domain Name System (DNS) translates the numerical addresses of computers into more user-friendly names.
The resulting Domain Names are easy to recall and help people to find information on the Internet.

We can register and maintain your chosen domain for you via our partner 123-reg

• The choice of Top Level Domain - such as .com
• The choice of Second Level Domain - such as .co.uk or .plc.uk
• The name itself - such as ShapCumbria.co.uk
• Once you have chosen your domain, use a domain name look up to check if it is available.

• Try to select a name that is available in all top and second levels and if you can afford it buy them all, at the very least you should buy the .co.uk and .com. This is to prevent others registering them and "passing off" themselves as you - this is becoming all too common and can seriously damage you business.

• Domains can only be registered for 2-5 years so make sure that you set up a system to remind you when to renew - if you don't someone else will!!!

• If you use an agent eg a web design company then make sure that they register the domain in your name not their's, they will then charge several hundred pounds to sell it back to you. This is a trick that is becoming more widespread - you should get a certificate of ownership from Nominet