subject: Registering Your First Domain Name - A 3 Step Process [print this page] Registering Your First Domain Name - A 3 Step Process
Registering a domain name may appear a daunting task at first, what with the dozens of registrars and contradictory information regarding the process on the internet. When I set out to register my first domain, I was overwhelmed by the number of options at my disposal. I had to pick a good name from the myriad of possibilities, and at the same time, get the best possible rates along with reliable service from the registrar. Clearly, this wasn't something a technical dunce like me was ready to handle.
The first thing you have to know when registering do
main names is that just because a registrar is old or has had an online presence for a very long time doesn't mean that its services are top notch or its rates are the cheapest. In fact, you will find that the prices for top level domains (.com, .net, .org) can vary by almost $20-30 for pretty much the same bouquet of services. Hence, you should do your research properly before deciding on a registrar. If you are unwilling to experiment, there is always the old favorite, GoDaddy (the largest domain name registrar on the internet).
Next, you should try looking up the availability of your chosen domain. Unfortunately, some registrars are in the habit of automatically registering a quality available domain when someone searches for it through their "whois" (whois is the record of the registration of a domain name). Therefore, it is recommended that you use one of the free whois lookup services located at Whois.sc or Whois.net
If your domain is available, by all means, go ahead and register it. Many registrars will try to sell you additional services at the time of checkout. Choose these services very carefully as many happen to be redundant. One add-on service you can benefit from is whois protection/privacy. This service basically hides your name, address, and phone number on any domain that you own, thereby ensuring your privacy. Once you've selected your services, simply pay using a credit/debit card or Paypal and wait for the domain to appear in your control panel. From there, you can configure its nameservers, contact details, registrant, etc.
So there it is: a simple 3 step process to registering your first domain name.
