| Long time Internet users can remember a time when | | | | WHOIS database. Some also charge a small monthly |
| domain registration didn't offer a whole lot of choice - | | | | fee for managed DNS. |
| there was only one domain name provider, and it | | | | Many of the domain registrars are actually resellers |
| wasn't very affordable. | | | | for the larger registries. That said, you may purchase |
| Times have changed. There are now a seemingly | | | | a domain from John Doe's Domain Registry, and it |
| endless number of domain providers, and with | | | | may actually be registered through Godaddy, one of |
| greater choice and drastically lower pricing, the | | | | the Internet's largest domain name providers. This |
| registration of new domain names has seen a | | | | explains the varying fluctuation in registration cost, |
| continual rise. Verisign reports that in 2007, more than | | | | and is why it pays to look for the best deal. Small |
| 33 million new domain names were registered, | | | | business domains are frequently purchased from |
| bringing the overall total to an estimated 153 million. | | | | these types of resellers, since they often register for |
| That's a lot of domain names! In 2008, that number is | | | | years at a time, and a better rate can make a more |
| expected to grow, as more and more people start | | | | pronounced difference.. |
| their own online business in order to supplement their | | | | A popular misconception is that you "own" a domain |
| income. | | | | name when you "buy" it from a registrar or domain |
| In the old days, free website communities like | | | | broker. The truth is that you only "own" it as long as |
| Angelfire were home to most personal and many | | | | you continue to pay the required registration fee to |
| small business websites. Now, it is almost just as | | | | your domain name provider. |
| easy (and inexpensive) to have your own domain. | | | | Because of steep competition among the major |
| Appropriate, professional domain names are especially | | | | providers, domains are typically being sold at fairly |
| important for companies wishing to establish branding | | | | similar prices. So rather than look only at pricing, be |
| and credibility on the Web. | | | | sure to consider the service and features provided |
| If you're ready to purchase a personal or small | | | | by the registrar. Charging more doesn't make a |
| business domain name and want to compare domain | | | | provider the best, and charging less doesn't mean |
| registrars, you may not know where to start. | | | | they're the worst. |
| Fortunately, as the domain registry business has | | | | If you plan on registering multiple domains, you should |
| grown, sites have been established that help you | | | | definitely take the time to check out some of the |
| compare their quality. Most of these services that | | | | registrar review sites. These sites often contain tips |
| offer you the ability to compare domain registrars will | | | | and promotional codes that can save you both time |
| offer side by side comparisons of the big names in | | | | and money. |
| table format. They can help you determine the cost | | | | In summary, most domain pricing will be similar, but |
| of the domain, features, promotional offers, and | | | | there are things that will set one registrar apart from |
| more. | | | | the others. Look at the features offered with your |
| Some registrars will charge an additional fee for | | | | registration - things like private registration, managed |
| private registration, which prevents the public from | | | | DNS, easy account access, and more - before you |
| viewing your domain ownership information in the | | | | make a decision. |