| Registering a domain name may appear a daunting | | | | Next, you should try looking up the availability of your |
| task at first, what with the dozens of registrars and | | | | chosen domain. Unfortunately, some registrars are in |
| contradictory information regarding the process on | | | | the habit of automatically registering a quality |
| the internet. When I set out to register my first | | | | available domain when someone searches for it |
| domain, I was overwhelmed by the number of | | | | through their "Whois" (Whois is the record of the |
| options at my disposal. I had to pick a good name | | | | registration of a domain name). Therefore, it is |
| from the myriad of possibilities, and at the same | | | | recommended that you use one of the free Whois |
| time, get the best possible rates along with reliable | | | | look up services located at Whois.sc or Whois.net |
| service from the registrar. Clearly, this wasn't | | | | If your domain is available, by all means, go ahead |
| something a technical dunce like me was ready to | | | | and register it. Many registrars will try to sell you |
| handle. | | | | additional services at the time of checkout. Choose |
| The first thing you have to know when registering | | | | these services very carefully as many happen to be |
| domain names is that just because a registrar is old | | | | redundant. One add-on service you can benefit from |
| or has had an online presence for a very long time | | | | is Whois protection/privacy. This service basically |
| doesn't mean that its services are top notch or its | | | | hides your name, address, and phone number on any |
| rates are the cheapest. In fact, you will find that the | | | | domain that you own, thereby ensuring your privacy. |
| prices for top level domains (.com,.net,.org) can vary | | | | Once you've selected your services, simply pay using |
| by almost $20-30 for pretty much the same bouquet | | | | a credit/debit card or PayPal and wait for the domain |
| of services. Hence, you should do your research | | | | to appear in your control panel. From there, you can |
| properly before deciding on a registrar. If you are | | | | configure its name servers, contact details, registrant, |
| unwilling to experiment, there is always the old | | | | etc. |
| favorite, GoDaddy (the largest domain name registrar | | | | So there it is: a simple 3 step process to registering |
| on the internet). | | | | your first domain name. |