Finding a Domain Name Registrar

Finding a Domain Name Registrar

Having chosen a domain name and verified that it is still available you may think that you are ready to register it.  Well you could do a Internet search and find the cheapest registrar and register the domain name. I wouldn't however advise it - not that I have any objections to finding a cheap domain name.

The problem with choosing a domain name registrar based solely on cost is that the domain name is only one part of the website. The other part of the package is the website hosting.

If you remember back to a much earlier article and the analogy to a room full of boxes (website hosts) and a collection of sticky labels (domain names).

You can get the boxes from anyone and the labels from anyone and all you need to do is to stick your label on your box and -hey presto a website. This is true in theory but a little more complex in practise. Therefore I always recommend buying your box and label from the same company.

In other words your domain name provider should also be your website hosting provider.

So you really need to find out about website hosting and choose your hosting provider before proceeding.

However for those who have already done that, or want to proceed anyway, maybe to reserve the domain name. Then here, for illustrative purposes only,  is the procedure I went through in registering a domain name.

Own your own Domain     

 Make sure that the Web host will not hold you hostage to their service by exercising administrative control over your domain name. Your domain name should always be registered in your name and your Domain Name provider should only be listed as a technical contact.

Also remember that the domain is only leased and that you will have to renew the lease (usually yearly). This is normally done automatically by your name registrar but make sure you check as you don't want to loose the name because you forgot to renew it.

Domain Name Registrars and Domain Name Extension

Your choice of domain name registrar will be affected by your choice of TLD extension. Almost all domain name registrars can register .com extensions but not all can register .name or .uk extensions. I use www.1and1.co.uk for this site 1and 1 are also active in USA and Canada 1&1.com.

Related Articles and Resources:

• Domain Names
  
• Choosing The Top level Domain Name
  
• Choosing the second level Domain Name
  
• Top Level Domain Names
  
• Understanding Domain Names
  
• Check Domain Name Availability
  
• Choosing a Domain Name Registrar
  
• How to Register a Domain Name