How to Register Your Domain

When you launch a new website you must register aAdministrator, Technical and Billing. Most of the time
unique domain name with an authorized registrar.the same person is all 3 contacts. If you web
When the internet was first starting, all domaindesigner registers your domain name for you, make
names and IP addresses were registered throughsure you are designated as the Administrative
one organization, Internic. Eventually Networkcontact. This gives you control over the domain
Solutions took over the role as "keeper" of thename and you must be notified if someone is trying
internet domain names. Today, there are hundreds ofto make changes to your record. If you aren't one
websites where you can register your domain nameof the contacts then someone can transfer
but Network Solutions still maintains the mainownership of the domain name without your
database of domain names. Some websites chargepermission.
as little as $2.95 per year for your domain name whileTo see a record of your domain name, go to and
others charge as much as $35 per year for theuse their WHOIS utility which is located in the bottom
exact same service. Some even offer one year freeleft corner of their home page. Simply enter your
if you register your domain name with them and hostdomain name and click Search. You'll see the
your website on their servers. Why pay $35 whencomplete record of your domain name, where it's
you can register your domain name for much less atregistered and where your website is hosted.
another website?When you register your domain name you'll have to
So why does Network Solutions charge $35 a year ifthe option of making it a private registration. I highly
they are the keeper of the database and theirrecommend paying the additional fee to make your
resellers charge a fraction or even nothing? Whoinformation private. If you leave your registration
knows and who cares! Register your domain withpublic anyone can look up your domain information
one of the cheaper providers and you'll be fine. Awhich includes your home or business address and
word caution - be care who you choose to hostyour email address. Many spammers scan public
your website. Getting a free year of your domaindomain registration records to find valid email
name isn't worth it if your webhost is unreliable andaddresses to spam.
your website is down more than it's up.I always use a yahoo or hotmail email account when
You pay for your domain name on a yearly basis. It'sregistering my domains. This way if spammers to find
a separate charge from your webhosting bill. Whenmy email address, I can just get a new "throwaway"
you register your domain name choose theemail address and I won't receive spam at my
autorenewal option if it's available. This way yourprimary email address.
domain name will not expire if you forget to renew it.Always make sure your domain record remains
If your domain name expires, it's free for anyonelocked. Locking your domain name is a feature
else to register so you need to stay on top of whenimplemented a few years ago. When you want to
it's expiring. Also registering your domain name for atransfer your domain name to a different registrar
3 to 5 year term will often save you money. Foryou must unlock it. Once it's unlocked the new
example, GoDaddy charges $8.95 a year for yourregistrar can "pull" your domain name from your
domain name but only $7.25 a year if you register forcurrent registrar. Once the transfer is complete, the
a 5 year term.domain name will be locked to prevent anyone else
When you register your domain you can createfrom "pulling" your domain away from you.
different contact names. The three contacts are