Domain Registration

The first step you must take so that others can find you on the Internet is to find an affordable domain registration service to purchase your domain name. There are many places where you can get your domain registered at a cost ranging from $2.99 per year up to $25 per year, and it doesn't really matter who does the registering anymore. However, most domain registrars do offer additional services that you might find useful, and it is these services offered that will typically drive the decision to choose one registrar over another.

Domain registration has become big business and the competitition to grab your dollars has become fierce. Before you register a domain name, take the time to become aware of the issues such as cybersquatting, hijacking, and consolidating [note: read the article "Protect Your Domain Name"].

Why You Need Domain Registration Services

Every web site is hosted somewhere and the hosting service typically runs a machine that makes it possible for other machines around the Internet to find you using the Domain Name System (read this article about grabbing top level domain names). This means that most hosting companies today also provide domain registration services. However, you may find it advantageous to keep domain registration separate from hosting your web site simply so you can easily move your web site to a different hosting company should you not be satisfied with their service, and without interrupting domain services.

Keep Domain Registration Separate from Hosting

You can keep your domain registration separate from your hosting and I usually suggest that you do so. This approach allows you to remain in control of your domain name. Your domain manager will allow you to point the domain name to any server that is hosting your web site. If the hosting entity controls your domain name, you will some day sweat bullets if your business relationship goes down the tubes with the hosting company.

I register many domain names for my clients simply because they don't want the hassle of doing it themselves, and I use GoDaddy for that purpose. I chose GoDaddy because of their superior domain registration administration panel which easily allows me to add new domain names, renew them, register domain names anonymously, set auto forwarding of multiple domain names to a single domain, or sell a domain name if I no longer want it. I normally recommend that my clients signup for Godaddy so they can learn how to control their own domain name. Signing up for Godaddy doesn't mean you have to host your web site with them, and hosting with Godaddy doesn't mean you need to register your domain name through them.

FREE Space for Your Website

But what about the free space you get with your ISP and why do you need a domain name? There are several advantages to getting your own domain name and not hosting your site under free space:

• Your web service and e-mail addresses can be consistent (e.g., www.mysite.com and your_name@mysite.com).

• A domain name is shorter and more memorable than a URL under your ISP's domain name (e.g., www.mysite.com vs. www.webpages-r-us.com/mysite/).

• Most importantly: You have the freedom to move your web hosting and e-mail at will from one Internet Service Provider to another without having to change your URL and email addresses.

Register Your Domain