Registering a domain name
Registering your domain name is a pretty simple process anymore, and is as easy as going through an ICANN accredited domain registrar. While registrars may have different prices and slightly different policies when you use them, the overall process is the same with each one. Here, we offer a guide in how to see if your desired domain name is available and how to register it.
Is it available?
Domain names must be unique, and a domain name cannot be registered to more than one person or business. Because of this, you need to see of the domain name you want to use is already registered to someone. By using sites like Whois.net, you can find out if it is already registered, to who, and for how long. If it is not already registered, there is nothing stopping you from obtaining it.
Even though a domain name may already be registered to someone, all registrations expire at some point. The current owner may renew their registration of a domain name at any time, and will have priority of registration over anyone else for that domain name for up to 30 days after the actual expiration date, or they may simply let it expire at the end of their registration period if they no longer wish to use it. It is possible to be put on something like a waiting list for a domain name, so that when it does become available, you will be notified and have the opportunity to register it.
Domain names can also be "sold", meaning that if the current domain name owner wishes to "sell" the domain name, you may pay the current registered domain owner to have the registration of the domain put into your name. Remember that domain names are not tangible objects, like when you are buying and selling cars or houses; you are buying or selling the right to have the exclusive use of that domain name. Once it is registered to someone, the domain name cannot be sold or transferred to anyone else for at least 60 days, so if your goal is to buy and resell domain names, you need to keep that in mind. It is also possible to set up a "domain broker" to help you purchase a domain name; a domain broker will, on your behalf, contact the current owner of a domain name and try to arrange a sale on your behalf. Along with domain sales, some sites offer domain auctions, where the owners of domain names will auction domain names to the highest bidders.
How do I register a domain name?
Registering a domain name requires the service of a company that is a domain registrar; the average person cannot register a domain name on their own. Registrars have paid fees and met certain criteria that allows them to create and modify domain records within the ICANN records database. Most hosting companies have become registrars so that they can provide convenience to their customers by offering hosting and domain registration at the same time or individually. GoDaddy.com is an example of a company that provides hosting packages, domain registration, and can combine the two services if you like to set up your web site.
Depending on several factors, registrars may charge different amounts for their domain registration fees. Keep in mind that when you register a domain name, you do not have to have a hosting account for a web site, or set up a hosting account with the company that you use to register the domain. You can register a domain with one company, then set up your web site with another company, however you wil need to contact each company about resetting the DNS records to do so. This is usually a simple process.
To register an available domain name, visit the site of a domain registrar, and they will have information on domain registration, probably showing you a form to fill in to see if it is available. They will also show you the cost of their service to register a domain name. If it is available, and you decide to register the domain, you will need to give information for the domain records, for example your name, address, contact email, etc. You may also need to inform them the length of time you want this registered to you, with one year always being the minimum length of time. More than likely you will need to make payment for the domain registration at this point, through their website. Once your registration form is submitted and your payment is accepted, you will receive confirmation, often via email, that the domain name is now registered to you.
The most common names to register have the ".com" TLD extension. Many people suggest that you register as many of the tld extensions as you can for your domain name. Reasons for this include keeping your competitors from using a domain like yours, and the extra domain names can be used as pointer domains to your main domain/web site. In other words, if your main domain is www.thepaperclipdepot.com, you could register thepaperclipdepot.biz as well, and the .biz name, when typed into a browser, will redirect to your .com website.