Domain Registration

Overview

When you are ready to create a website, you may want to obtain a domain name. A domain name provides an instant online recognition, visibility, and credibility for your company. Some people even reserve domain names for their online portfolios or family websites. The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) is an internationally accredited organization that is responsible for registering and tracking all the domain names in the world. Each domain name leads to a unique IP (Internet Protocol) which requires distinctive information for every individual domain. Domain Name System (DNS) is a database system that acts as a connecting bridge between your domain name and IP address.

There are many companies that allow you to register domains for a small fee. Companies offer different rates, so you have some options when selecting a domain name provider. Your domain name will cost between $7 and $49 for your first year. Every year, you will pay a fee to renew the registration for your domain name. After your first year, the fee for your domain name will either increase or decrease.

Benefits

Domain names increase visibility for your company. Domains that are catchy and easy to remember are inexpensive and powerful advertising tools. You can also assign e-mail addresses from your domain names.

When you buy a domain name, you might be listed in the WHOIS database, which reveals information about who owns the domain. You can actually complete a private registration that hides your registration information.

Your domain registration might come with tools for website building, status alerts, domain forwarding, and blog casting.

How It Works

Plan your site, and brainstorm ideas for what you want to call your site. If you can, choose the name of your company's business, and then select a .com, .net, or.org extension. Try to avoid selecting a long or confusing domain name, and use only letters, hyphens, and numbers.

Once you're ready to purchase a domain name, select a registrar service. Make sure that your registrar has an official agreement with ICANN. Once you select a domain name, the registrar will check to make sure that it is not already linked to an IP address. If the domain is available, you will be able to purchase it. Your domain registration will take about 24 hours to process, and after you select a web hosting service, you will be ready to upload your website. You can opt to keep your registration private in the WHOIS database.