| Thinking about registering domain names for your | | | | DNS settings. You should be able to point your |
| website? Trying to find a good, cheap domain name? | | | | website to the Domain Name Servers of any web |
| If you have a look around, you'll find that registering | | | | host in the world. For example, if you have a free |
| domain names can cost between $2.99 - $34.99 per | | | | blog at Blogger or WordPress, you should be able to |
| year. It all depends on whether your domain name | | | | change your DNS servers so instead of typing in |
| ends with .com and what features are included. | | | | yourdomain.blogger.com, they just type in your |
| As a general rule, good .com internet domain names | | | | domain name. (But if you don't have complete control |
| cost around $10 per year to register. For this price, | | | | over your DNS settings, it won't work.) |
| you should get the following features: | | | | 5. Free Parking. If someone tries to visit your internet |
| | | | domain name, they can be sent to a temporary |
| 1. Free domain name forwarding and masking. This is | | | | generic page that says your site is coming. |
| when a visitor types in your website address and | | | | 6. You may or may not get free domain privacy. |
| gets automatically redirected to a different website | | | | When you register a domain name, all of your |
| address. | | | | contact information (full name, mailing address, email |
| 2. A personalized email account. An email account | | | | address, and telephone number) is published in the |
| with your domain name that you can access from | | | | WHOIS database that can be accessed by anyone. |
| both your email program (POP mail) and a website | | | | Some registrars offer a privacy feature where they |
| (webmail). | | | | will list their corporate contact information instead of |
| 3. Unlimited email addresses (aliases) that you can | | | | your personal information to protect your privacy |
| forward to any email account. For example, you could | | | | from spam and prying eyes. (You still retain full |
| create three accounts with your domain name (i.e. | | | | control of the domain name) |
| info@... , sales@..., and feedback@...) and any mail that | | | | If a company is registering domain names for less |
| was sent to these addresses would automatically get | | | | than $10 per year, then look at the fine print to see |
| forwarded to whatever email address you want. | | | | which services you are missing. Remember, no |
| 4. Full DNS access. Be careful with this one. Not all | | | | registrar will give you a refund when registering |
| registrars provide you with complete access to your | | | | domain names. |