The Perfect Domain Name

Sponsor Post By Samer Jouaneh, CEO of DNC.ca
DNC.ca is a Gold Sponsor of WordCamp Victoria 2012

The .CA market has grown exceptionally in the last year. Over the last few years, the .CA market has become the most registered extension for Canadians, which means that individuals have started to choose .CA as their preferred extension. We now see the .CA adoption rates for Canadian businesses flourish far more than any other ccTLD (country code top level domain). It is important when developing a website to acquire the perfect domain name.

A question you may ask yourself is “How do I purchase the perfect domain name?” The most challenging aspect of registering a domain name is that a large portion of common terms have already been taken. However, don’t feel discouraged. Here are 5, easy to remember and highly effective ways to get the best domain name for your business or personal use.

1. Use the WHOIS search on CIRA.ca (Canadian Internet Registration Authority) to see if the name is available.

If the name is available this is usually the cheapest and quickest way to start your adventure. If your preferred name is taken, try some variations. Although the readily given suggestions should never be your first pick, use them to get some ideas.

2. If the WHOIS shows that the name is taken, make sure you visit the URL and see if a website already exists. If the website is developed you are less likely to be able to purchase the domain. Many times you may see a for sale link and that may be an easier contact method. You can also check different marketplaces to see if the domain is already listed for sale.

If you still want to reach out to the owner you can contact the owner of a domain by going to CIRA.ca (Canadian Internet Registration Authority) and performing a WHOIS lookup. You can then directly contact that owner and see if they are willing to sell the domain that you are interested in. Have a plan going into any negotiation discussions and make sure you set a budget. The value of a domain name really depends on what you are planning to do with it.

Keep in mind that some domain owners prefer to keep their information anonymous, in such cases, you may have to use the “Interested Party Contact Form” as a facilitator. This is available on CIRA.ca and you can use those means to reach out to the owner of the domain name.

3. TBR (To Be Released)

Domains expire daily and get released to the public every Wednesday through the TBR which CIRA holds weekly. On an average week there are approximately five thousand domains that will get released which may be used for your business or for personal use. In most cases these are higher quality domains that you would not find available to register yourself. So, if you are in a specific niche it doesn’t hurt to check the TBR lists often and see if a name suits you. TBR can be a very complicated process for beginners; I will give more detail on where you can learn more about this.

4. Marketplace

There are many auctions being held for .CA domains. This is usually when an owner is trying to sell a domain name and decides that they would like it on the open marketplace. You will usually find fixed prices or sometimes auctions for such domain names. In the latter case, there will always be competition and always set a budget when acquiring domains.

5. Online Forums

The most effective way to learn about domains, purchase and sell your domains is through one of
many online domain forums. I am the owner of DNCANADA Inc. which is located at DNC.ca. This is an online domain name forum that specializes in the .CA market. You can purchase domains from others and learn about the domain industry. There are many Registrars, Web designers and Domain Industry Professionals who are eager to discuss domains and web development with you. It’s a great place to understand how TBR (To Be Released) process works and how to acquire the best domain names. It is important to note that in order to purchase a .CA domain you must fulfill the Canadian Presence Requirements which are available on CIRA.ca.

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Tickets Now On Sale!

TicketsTickets for WordCamp are now on sale!

Register right here.

Please note that the price has been substantially reduced this year in alignment with WordPress Foundation policies. Thankfully sponsors have picked up the slack (see below).

The cost is $20. With HST and the processing fee, this comes to $23.99. This includes lunch and an amazing day. Crazy, huh?

You can also pre-order a high-quality, long-sleeved commemorative t-shirt for $25 plus HST.

Given the low cost, and last year’s attendance (200), we could sell out well ahead of the event. So, I’d encourage you to register very soon.

Are you still interested in sponsoring? Please contact us. Note: You can register to become a “Silver Sponsor” right on the registration page.

I’m looking forward to seeing everyone at UVic on January 14th!

Paul Holmes

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WordCamp Victoria 2012

Photo Credit: Brenda Johima

Photo Credit: Brenda Johima

Plans are underway for WordCamp Victoria 2012!

Mark your calendar now – January 14, 2012.

This year, the event will be held at the University of Victoria, Social Sciences and Mathematics (SSM) building.

We are currently seeking out sponsors.

We are also accepting student volunteers to aid with registration, directing people, etc. Please use the contact form to describe why you are worthy and how you can help!

Interested in speaking?

Please post your proposed session and bio on a page somewhere, and submit it. This can be posted anywhere you’d like – on your website, blog, a Facebook note, or whatever…

The session and format are up to you. You will have 50 minutes, and we will not be pairing up speakers. (You can certainly propose a joint session, though.)

If your session is accepted, we will link to your post from the schedule, rather than reinvent the wheel here. We are very keen to classify sessions really effectively though, so please use the guidelines below:

  • Your name
  • Your company name
  • Your session title
  • A link to your session and bio (on your site)
  • Your Target Audience (Skill Level): Beginner, Intermediate, or Advanced
  • Your Target Audience (Interests): Bloggers, Writers, Web Developers, Programmers, Designers, Codex Hackers, etc.
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WordCamp Victoria 2011 – Overview

WordCamp Victoria 2011 is only 16 days away – January 22nd, 2011 – and most of the seats are now reserved.

We are absolutely firm on the number of seats available (due to limited space), so please don’t wait and be disappointed, register now.

We are very excited about some of the fabulous speakers coming, and the Genius Bar is filling up fast, too.

If you are new to WordPress, don’t forget about the WordPress 101 orientation on January 13th.

Sponsors

  • If you are coming from out of town, please consider staying at our host hotel, Accent Inn Victoria. Ask for the “WordCamp” rate, which is $79 per night plus tax.
  • University Canada West has graciously contributed the space again for WordCamp. They also now have an audio system in the gymnasium, which has allowed us to expand the offerings this year.
  • Once again, Ambrosia Catering will be providing a fabulous lunch. A special thanks to them for supporting the WordPress community!
  • Que Publishing has donated 9 books for our door prize draw, including three by speaker Rebecca Bollwitt.
  • My company, IdeaZone.ca, has donated all the graphic and web design, and partner DotCanuck Domain Services has contributed the website hosting.
  • Finally, my new coffee business, Everything Coffee, is sponsoring all the coffee for the event (and a gift basket worth over $70).
  • We still have room for additional sponsors and door prizes; please contact us this as soon as possible.
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Quick-Start WordPress Blogging for Beginners

Guest Post by Beth Campbell Duke. Beth is speaking at 9am, and on the Genius Bar at 10am.

Thinking about starting a blog? Or in using WordPress as a “content management system” to give you more control over your website?

Then WordCamp is for you.

You don’t need to have a WordPress blog, or even a whole lot of knowledge about WordPress to attend WordCamp. For those of you just starting out, the first workshop of the day in the “Beginner” stream is designed to get your first WordPress blog up and running.

Bring your own laptop so we can help get you set up with a WordPress account, and your first blog. Over the course of the hour, you’ll learn not just WordPress skills but valuable blogging lingo:

  • Choosing a WordPress theme,
  • Completing your profile, setting up a Gravatar and Hovercard,
  • The difference between a page and a post,
  • The kinds of widgets you can add to your sidebar(s),
  • An introduction to categories and tags,
  • Setting up your blogroll and displaying links,
  • Finding help on the WordPress.com and WordPress.org forums.

You’ll leave this first workshop knowing enough about WordPress that you can make the most of your day at WordCamp. In addition to the day’s lineup of workshops and speakers, you can get help with your WordPress questions at the Genius Bar. Truth be told, you can probably get help with your questions from anyone attending WordCamp – it’s a friendly and welcoming bunch.

Learn more about the day’s workshops and speakers here.

Sign up for WordCamp here.

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