Web Hosting Geeks' Blog » domain registration

Top Domain Registration Services

Dmitry — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 11:46:52 +0000

Typically, whether they know it or not, when someone talks about founding a website, they’re usually discussing two different elements. Sure, there’s the actual design of the site, as well as the choice of a web host and web hosting medium. But before all of that can even get out of dry dock, the website must first have a professionally registered domain name. That is, unless, they’re willing to saddle their hard work and livelihood with a third-party URL, like a .tumblr account, or some other derivative thereof. But how does one actually go about registering a domain name? Where does one go to do such a thing? And hang it all, what does it even mean to register a domain name? Before you lose your shirt, we’d like to offer a little bit of reassurance. Below, you’ll find our complete guide to not only registering a domain name, but also finding the right registrar for your business. We aren’t big on introductions, so without any further hubbub, here’s your all inclusive guide to registering a domain, as well as our top picks for actually doing so!

What is a Domain Registrar?

Before we dive into the companies that we actually suggest you take your business to, we feel we should first explain why registering your domain name is important. To begin with, not registering the domain of your choosing simply isn’t an option. Do you ever wonder how sites like Yahoo! manage to acquire each and every Yahoo! subdirectory, including the main yahoo.com domain name? To put things simply, Yahoo registered each of these points with a certified registrar, solidifying their claim to them.

The idea is relatively simple: When a child is born, the parents saddle the youngster with a name, a name that identifies the individual and also makes it easier for the government to track the little bundle of joy. Perhaps the latter is a bit of paranoia, but it’s much the same idea with the birth of a website. When creating a new website, you must assign a name to it that your viewers can access. And just as new parents submit a name to the State, so will you submit your site’s name to a certified registrar. These are bodies that legally bind and legitimize your claim to that domain name, preventing any other user from obtaining it without your permission—and typically a hefty check! You see, unlike babies, websites cannot have the same name. Otherwise, there’d be no way to access the content your after. This requires places like domain registrars to keep a running tab on all the Web’s domain names, recording who owns what, and what has already been taken.

If you’re still somewhat confused, think about a domain name in terms of real estate. When constructing a new home, you typically must first purchase the land the house will sit on. A domain name is the same concept as that land underneath your foundation. Without putting your name to it, others will have on idea where to go to find your content—or, in this metaphor, your house.

The 5 largest domain name registrars in the world, according to WebHosting.Info, are GoDaddy, Enom, Tucows, Network Solutions, and Schlund+Partner. Check out their numbers below.

All ICANN-Accredited Domain Registrars can be found at http://www.icann.org/en/registrars/accredited-list.html. But lets have a closer look at some of the most popular domain name registrars in the United States.

GoDaddy

http://www.godaddy.com/domains/search.aspx.

GoDaddy is a web host and domain registrar that has been around for almost literally ages. If you haven’t heard of them, or seen their expensively scandalous Super Bowl averts, we’d very much like to know what rock you’ve been hiding under. Essentially, if you’re looking for the most trusted and secure way to register a domain, GoDaddy is your best ticket. The site has suffered some recent controversy concerning the authorship of SOPA, but on the whole, GoDaddy benefits from a superb track record, as well as an expanse of services designed to benefit you and your site. If you’d also like to host with the provider, you’ll be granted discounts as far as domain registration. No to mention the company comes loaded with a heap of additional tools and services that help you in the creation and modification of a new website. All in all, GoDaddy is trusted, large, and budget-oriented.

Enom

http://www.enom.com/domainsearch/default.aspx.

We hesitate to mention Enom, but then again, we just didn’t feel right leaving it out. All in all, this domain registrar handles something like 10 million unique domain names, which is staggering to think about. However, they can only claim about 8 per-cent of the total market share. This is likely because of their slightly cheaper rates (about $35 a month). That being said, if you choose to register your domain name with Enom, you’re guaranteed one of the most secure and impressively solid performances in the business. In essence, you’ll get what you pay for and then some, though the payments will certainly be forthcoming.

Register.com

http://www.register.com/register-domain-names.rcmx.

All together, this registrar has handled something like 2.3 million domains and counting. Their market share is somewhat limited (only about 2 per-cent) but what gets our goat about Register.com is their simply stellar support network. If you have any complications or questions, you can rest assured the provider will work with you to find a solution. The price is on-par with Enom, but if you’re looking for an unbeatably secure and steadfast way to register your choice domain name, there’s no better option.

Moniker

http://www.moniker.com/domainname.jsp.

Have you picked the perfect domain name, only to find the listing taken by some lowly name squatter? If so, you may choose to invest in Moniker. The company is not only a domain registrar, but also a domain broker. This means they’ll work with whomever has your domain name to procure the listing, guaranteeing you the market and Web presence you’ve been looking for. Obviously, their rates will be higher for such services, but if you have to have that one domain name, there’s no better solution.

Domain Name Search

Finding a great domain name is an important part of every web project and the process of registering such domain name is getting harder and harder as many of them are already taken.

Luckily there are dozens of domain search tools that will save your time during this process. One of them is pcnames.com, an online domain search tool that helps finding a domain name in a more organized way. The search results displayed as-you-type, showing the availability of the most popular domain extensions. With the instant domain search feature, pcnames.com makes searching for domain names a breeze. There is no more waiting time on the next page to load to display your results.

Top 10 Domain Registrars

Art — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 09:27:31 +0000

Domain registrars are necessary for building a website. If you want your website to have a professional domain, you will need to sign up with a specific domain hosting website. The domain is important because most Internet users prefer a domain that is short and sweet and ends with .com. The only way you can have your website end with .com is to essentially lease one by signing up with a domain registrar and purchasing the rights of use.

There are lots of domain hosting websites to choose from which makes it difficult to decide which one you will use for your personal website. However, there are quite a few domain registrars that take the lead over all the other domain registrars on the Internet. These domain websites also accept a variety of payments including PayPal, which is definitely convenient and safe.

Below is a list of some of the top domain registrars on the Internet today:

GoDaddy

This Company has been around for such a long time and own just about 30 percent of the market share. This website is reputable and trusted; it is a company that you know will do the right job and never scam you. During the first year of services, you will be charged around $11 a month. This amount seems quite affordable when you think of all that the domain registrars will do for you. They have handled over 34 million domain names in the past and present and will continue to handle more domain names in the future as more and more people build their own websites. GoDaddy offers so much more than just a domain name to the customers that they provide service to. GoDaddy also offers email accounts, web hosting, online security products and website builders. All of these important tools have been helping people do better in business which also enables them to have more success with their website and, in return, make more money with it as well.

Enom

Enom is a good website for domain hosting but it has a long way to go to catch up to GoDaddy in the market share. Enom only owns about 8 percent of the market share. Customers who use Enom will typically have to pay around $35 a month which is just too much to some people. This is the main reason why many people prefer other domain registrars that are much more affordable. That is not to say that Enom does not provide excellent service, because it surely does. Enom has handled only a little after 10 million domain names.

TuCows

The only way to get domain names from TuCows is by going to their affiliate sites. They only own about 6 percent of the market share. TuCows has handled close to 8 million domain names which is still a long way to go to even come close to catching up with GoDaddy. TuCows charges $15 a month for the first year of service. The cost of service is definitely cheaper than Enom but is still more expensive than GoDaddy. TuCows also sell other types of internet services on their website.

NetworkSolutions

NetworkSolutions offer domain service solutions like no other. They only have 5 percent of the market share and have handled over 6 million domain names. Much like Enom, they charge about $35 per month for the first year of service.

Schlund+Partner

Schlund are the leader of the most Europe domain registrar names. They currently own over 5 million of the Europe domain names. Their domain services are only for people with 1&1 internet which is why they only own about 4 percent of the market share. For the first year of services, you will be charged about $16 per month.

MelbourneIt

This site offers domain names in various spaces which includes com, org, biz, info and edu. As of right now, their market share is 3.5 percent. They’ve handled over 4 million domain names and charge $35 for service.

Wildwestdomains

Wildwestdomains only owns about 3 percent of the market share. They have handled over 3 million domain names. The website also offers wholesales during their first year to new customers who want to use their services.

Resellerclub

This website has some competitive prices which is why they are slowly gaining popularity. As of right now, they own 2.1 percent of the market. They have handled over 2.4 million domain names and offer wholesale prices for customers who are interested in signing up for several domain names with them.

Register

This website offers a support system that is quite amazing and is the best thing that they seem to have going for them. They only have 2 percent of the market share. They have handled 2.3 million domain names and charge nearly $35 for the first year of service.

Moniker

This website can help you choose the right name for your own website, even if it was already registered before. They also provide auctions on domains and a domain brokerage. They currently have 2.4 percent of the market share. They have handled almost 3 million domain names and charge $8 for the first year of service.

Conclusion

Bellow are the market share stats of the top domain registrars by Webhosting.info:

It can be hard choosing a domain registrar due to the expansive providers. However, these are just some of the domain hosts that are currently on the market. Amongst these ten different domain hosts, there are a bunch of other domain registrars as well.

Most people would probably advise you to go with GoDaddy because it has been around for such a long time and is also cheaper than all of the other websites. Affordability and dependability are two things that many people look for when they are putting their website in the hands of someone else. It is ultimately your decision as to which domain registrar you will go with. Just make sure that you make the right decision and choose one that will have a lot to offer you.

Little Known Truths about Domain Privacy

Art — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 22:14:43 +0000

You’ve finally decided to join the rest of cyberspace and set-up a website to begin your e-Commerce venture. Even though you’ve prepared detailed marketing plans, and a budget analysis to track online inventory, the one thing you neglected to spend some serious time considering is choosing a creative website domain name. In addition, it’s just as important to take proactive security measures to prevent solicitors to track your every online move following the crumbs of your domain name.

Domain Privacy 101

Regardless of how much time you’ve spent coming up with a domain name for your website, chances are that it’s already been snatched by someone else with a similar related business. It’s always a wise decision to jot down several domain names that would be appropriate for your website just in case the preferred options are taken. Fact: First options are rarely available!

Competitors are notorious for purchasing related domain names simply for their own personal gains in hopes of tricking potential customers into thinking that they are actually shopping from your website. So, always be careful of competitors’ ploys just to make a few extra bucks.

Another issue that many newbie’s registering website domains fails to realize is that their personal contact is displayed for the entire cyber world to see when your associated domain contact information that’s connected with the domain account is viewable in the WHOIS database. Remember that domain privacy is a feature that may be added on at the time of sign-up for any domain including: com., net, org., info, biz, etc.

Consider privacy protection as a knight in shining amour for those wishing to keep their WHOIS contact information private from potential identity thieves and cyber hackers. The way it works is that specific details of your domain account are substituted with generic information, preventing your personal contact details from being revealed in the WHOIS public database for solicited purposes.

Personal Domain Security in the Home

In today’s Google-ish world, with just a few mouse clicks it’s virtually possible to knock on someone’s front door across the globe. WHOIS search works much the same way as it generates personal names, physical addresses, and occasionally phone numbers based on personal web domain names. Many individuals are acquiring a private domain registration to prevent annoying telemarketers and other unsolicited material. The same is also true for entrepreneurs working from home.

Private domain registration is typically used in households in lieu of businesses ventures. The greatest advantage of private domain registration is to protect your family’s or home-based business’ identity. After the initial registration process of setting-up the domain name, essential personalized data is replaced with “proxy” domain register information.

Whether protecting your personal assets in the office or at home, domain privacy is a security vital tool to prevent cyber hackers from wrecking havoc on your business affairs!

The Difference Between Private and Business Domain Registrations

Art — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 00:08:58 +0000

Registering a domain is the first step in building and managing a web site, and it plays a pivotal role in the site’s success. Some mistakes made during registration cannot be fixed, so it is important to make sure you get everything right the first time. For example, if you change your mind about the name of your web site after you’ve already built the site on the domain, there is little you can do other than domain forwarding, unless you’d like to hurt the search engine ranking of the new domain name.

There are many factors to consider during he registration process, leaving many people confused about the simplest options. Business and private domain registration are two prominent features offered by registrars during the checkout process. The following information can help you understand the difference between private domain registration and business domain registration.

What is Private Domain Registration?

Private domain registration is a service offered by most domain registrars, which keeps all of the information that you provide to the registrar private. If you do not purchase private registration, all of the information you give the registrar (except for payment details) will be available in a publicly viewable free database known as the WHOis database. Private registration protects you from annoying and aggressive marketers that can find your phone number, address and email address within the WHOis database.

Private registration also protects you from lawyers, competitors and predators that could use your information for nefarious purposes. Considering the low cost of private registration, (anywhere from $8-$10, depending on the registrar and whether or not an applicable coupon code can be found) it is easy to see why many people choose the option when registering their domain.

What is Business Domain Registration?

In a sense, business domain registration is the complete opposite of private registration. Whereas private registration is meant to conceal your registration details, business registration is meant to to promote them. When you opt for business registration during checkout with your domain registrar, you’ll be placing your domain and the DNS records (registration information) into a business WHOis database that is picked up by various business directories online.

Business registration is another way to promote your business and build immediate exposure by putting yourself in an openly viewable database that can be viewed by your clients and competitors alike. Having your registration information available in the business database automatically instills trust in many people that want to know more about your company and your online business. Ideally, you should provide all business information when opting for business registration. For example, you would want your support line phone number to be the default phone number in the database, and you would want the address of your office to be the registration address.

A Comparison of Domain Registrars and Web Hosts

Art — Thu, 20 May 2010 17:23:08 +0000

When domain registration began, only one source offered this service, NSI. Despite the monopoly of selling top-level domain names, they remained in place until the late ‘90’s. Around this time there was an influx of domain registration companies that began to directly compete with NSI.

Currently, there are hundreds of domain registrars that are accredited by the International Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). Over the years two types of domain registrars have emerged, domain registrar only services and web hosting providers.

Domain Registrar Only Services

Domain registrar only providers simply offer domain registration without any type of hosting package. There are still several available, but are seen as a dying breed. Clients want convenience so many find it a hassle to register the domain name at one site and find storage at another.

Domain registrar providers are more catered to advanced users. This method is often utilized so domain name registration and maintenance can be separated between storage space and domains. This is helpful for those that are building a large domain network.

Web Hosting Providers

On the other hand, web hosts offer the convenience of domain registration as well as hosting plans and packages in an all inclusive deal. Clients usually need both so this adds the extra ease of use function to their business model. There are many more web hosts than domain registrars.

Also, web host clients can search for available domain names directly from the hosting provider’s website. Once selected, within a day or two the domain name and hosting package are automatically setup; all in a few easy steps.

Redirection of Domains and Servers

Those that have an all inclusive plan may want to create a redirect to separate space from the domain name. This can be manually accomplished by redirecting domains to website content hosted servers. This is offered by web hosting providers so customer service can walk the client along, step-by-step.

Comparison Summary

Generally, domain registrars offer lower prices for each registered name. Also, depending on the need, separating domain name and server space can be beneficial. Those looking for an all inclusive, easy-to-use system should look toward web hosting providers. This will allow them to spend more time on developing content and creating the actual website.

As the internet expands and technology progresses, domain registrars will become a thing of the past. Web hosting providers are making the registration, creation and maintenance so easy that this is the most appealing option to most users. Due to an easy to use interface and excellent customer support, web hosting providers are at the forefront of website development technology.

Should You Buy Domains in Bulk?

Art — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 19:29:55 +0000

If you feel that you need more than one domain, you may want to consider purchasing them in bulk. This is the case whether you are an investor, or just someone who wants a greater value for their dollar. So what’s in it for you? Many benefits, as we have outlined below:

Cost Savings

The most obvious advantage to buying domain names in bulk is the cost savings you will enjoy. Okay, we all know that domain names are not very expensive these days, going for less than $10 at most registrars. However, almost all services provide generous discounts to customers who make their purchases in bulk. Even twenty or thirty cents can add up to a several dollars and result in a great value for your money. Depending on your requirements, you may come out with a deal that is equivalent to a couple of free domain names.

Time Savings

What is the next best thing to saving money? Saving time. After all, registering each domain one by one can be very time consuming. By choosing to purchase in bulk, you can simply register all of your domain names at one time and be done with it. Not only will this help you save time on the registration process, but also on renewals. Consumers are more pressed for time than ever these days. If you run an online business or maintain a couple of websites, you probably know this all too well.

Reduced Maintenance

Far too many domains are lost because the owners simply do not know they are up for renewal. Of course it is there responsibility, but a more efficient management system would make this far less likely to occur. Domain registrars offer all sorts of features to make sure you can secure your web presence by renewing your registration on time. No more creating a spreadsheet and performing tedious manual maintenance. You can now purchase bulk domains and rest easy by knowing that managing and renewing them is a piece of cake.

Important Factors to Consider

There are some things you need to know before purchasing domain names in bulk. For example, how many domains do you have to purchase to qualify for a discount? Is there a certain minimum or maximum required? These factors and others must be considered before giving the registrar your hard earned money. The overall value you obtain will largely depend on the company you sign up with. Even bulk purchases can turn out to costly if the registrar can’t be relied on.

Conclusion

If you require multiple domains for any variety of reasons, you can save yourself a lot of money and grief by purchasing those names in bulk. Take note that finding the best deals may require you to get a little investigative. Sometimes these discounts are not advertised and therefore, you may not find out unless you inquire about them. In the end, purchasing domain names in bulk could turn out to be something that not only helps you save time, but also helps boost your bottom line.

Acquiring the Domain You Want Through Back-Ordering

Art — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 19:10:53 +0000

Commonly, domain names are registered on a first come, first served basis. Thus, whoever is able to identify an unregistered name first can visit a registrar, pay the required registration fee, and acquire the name for themselves. Once you register it, the domain is no longer available to anyone. However, it can be placed back on the market should you not pay the annual renewal fee or decide to sell it to someone else. While good domain names are certainly hard to come by these days, there are other ways you can obtain them, including the back-ordering route.

Common Back-Ordering Options

There are essentially three ways you can take advantage of back-ordered domains.

1.) You can pay close attention the status of the domain you want and register the name when it goes back on the market. This is a manual process that requires a lot of patience and plain old luck to be successful.

2.) You can utilize a software application such as the Expired Domain Express program to automate the process for you. This type of software will automatically monitor the status of the desired domain and also register it as soon as it becomes available.

3.) The last option you have is to sign up with a back-order service. This approach calls for you to pay a third-party company to monitor the domain and register it on your behalf as soon as it becomes available.

Essential Factors to Keep in Mind

A large majority of people looking to obtain a domain name through the back-ordering process rely on the third option, which is signing up with a service provider. The advantage here is that the company usually has more reliable resources available than you have access to yourself, thus increasing your probability of acquiring the domain. While there are numerous benefits, you should also beware of three important factors before investing in a back-ordering service.

1.) Regardless of what the firm might tell you, no back-ordering service can guarantee the domain name you want. You may then ask, what happens to the money you paid? Unless you have inquired within the service provider before signing up, you may not know at all. The good thing is that most firms allow you to apply those fees to other domain related purchases, but it is still a good idea to find out.

2.) Domain name back-ordering services are infamous for inflating prices. For example, if two people desire the same domain, the company might set up an auction for them to bid on the name. Therefore, you want to make sure you know what to expect before entering into an agreement with a service provider.

3.) Lastly, it is worth mentioning that one of the best ways to acquire the domain name you want is to combine a few of the approaches mentioned above. For instance, you can sign up for a back-ordering service and purchase a software solution while manually monitoring the status of the name yourself. If you have the budget to work with, this combined approach will help you maximize the possibility of finally landing the domain name you have been after.

Shielding Your Online Identity from Domain Name Thieves

Art — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 17:47:54 +0000

The domain name industry is booming with business as more individuals and businesses look to establish their identity online. Being such a hot commodity also makes them a target for thieves of all sorts. In this article we will explain some of the parties you need to keep your precious domain name protected from.

Shady Business Partners

More and more, we are seeing business professionals lose ownership of their domain name to a partner or co owner. In many cases, the name is initially registered in one person’s name and with access to the account, the other partner redirects the domain to another website, a move that essentially puts the original company out of business. More often than not, the co owner demands money or other type of collateral in exchange for the domain, using it as leverage to get something in return for something that could not be obtained in the context of a partnership. Surprisingly enough, this is one of the most common examples of theft as domain names are stolen in this manner at a staggering rate of about 25%.

Disgruntled Employees

It is very rare for management figures to be involved in the domain name registration process. This part is typically handled by a member of the IT department but may also be designated to lower level employees. When this occurs, domain name theft becomes a much more probable crime. Should an employee leave the company on bad terms, they just might take that valuable information with them. This could lead to a nasty dispute between the ex employee and their former employer. While there is a possibility of getting the domain back, retrieving it is quite difficult when the important registration details have been stolen.

Third-Party Partners

There have been cases involving developers supplying their own information when registering domain names for customers. Some have even gone as far as to list the name of their company as the legitimate registrant of the customer’s trademark. Should there ever be a billing dispute down the road, the developer then leverages the domain you thought was registered in your name to get their demands met. More common is the vendor that registers a domain name on behalf of the customer only to go out of business, leaving the customer with no idea of how to renew the name or regain control of it in any form. These are two very crucial examples because if the vendor folds or the developer becomes irrate, you could find yourself in the middle of web-based extortion and fighting an uphill battle for your online identity.

Domain theft is on the rise and occurring far more frequently than one would expect. As an online business owner, you must keep in mind that your domain name is a piece of intellectual property and secure this vital intangible just as you would tangible assets. Fortunately, this is pretty easy to do. Do business with a reliable registrar, obtain the necessary security features, maintain control of your account details and you will be much less susceptible to domain theft.

What Do You Get with a Cheap Domain Name?

Art — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 21:36:28 +0000

A domain name is very critical to your online identity. Though extremely valuable, registering one is actually quite affordable these days. Be that as it may, one must remain aware of all the tricks of the trade in order to ensure a quality purchase. There are many registrars on the market that are in the business of selling cheap domain names. In fact, if you search long enough, you can easily find offerings for as low as $1.99 or $2.99. Prices like these are hard to pass up, but there has to be a catch, right? You got it. It is important for you to realize that while they serve the same general purpose, not all domain registrations are created equal. What we mean by this is that different registrars will include or omit different services with your registration.

Standard Features

A quality domain name with a .com extension will cost your around $10 a year. At the very least, this service should include the following features:

- Free domain forwarding

- Free personalized email address and alias forwarding

- Free domain parking

- Free domain registration privacy

- Full DNS Access

When you purchase a cheap domain name, more than likely, you will be missing out on many of the above features. This might not be a tremendous deal depending on your specific needs, but if you really want to make the most out of your domain name and web presence, it is definitely better to have them.

Common Tricks

To help ensure that you get the best deal possible, we have listed some of the most common tricks registrars employ when offering cheap domain names. You may be surprised at how many of the big name companies are involved in the trickery.

Bait and Switch – GoDaddy is well known for its $2.99 special on domain names. However, most of the time, this deal only applies to .info TLDs, which could be a rather undesirable extension for someone trying to do business online. Chances are, you are after a .com domain which will cost you about $9.99 per year.

Limited Time Discount - Yahoo is another well known registrar with tricks up its sleeves. The company recently had a sale for .com domain names at the amazingly low price of $1.99. The major catch is that the price was only good for the first year and only available to new customers. Once that year exceeds, the cost goes back up to the regular price of $9.95 per year.

Must-buy Add-ons - When purchasing service from some registrars, that price of $1.99 is only good if you also purchase additional products the company offers. In most cases, this is a web hosting package. If you truly need a web hosting service, then look for a provider that will sell you a good plan and provide the domain name absolutely free.

Although the tricks mentioned in this article aren’t necessarily scams, they are very confusing and could spell trouble for the newcomer. Therefore, you want to conduct solid research because unlike most things you buy, there is no refund on a domain name registration.

Six Important Considerations for Domain Name Registration

Art — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 21:06:24 +0000

So, you have finally decided that you want to make a name for yourself online. Before you even create the website, it is best to register a domain name first. As simple as it all sounds, registering a domain is something that calls for careful planning. Without a strategy, you could end up regretting the chosen name and actually hinder your ability to succeed online. To avoid those issues, we present you with six critical factors to consider.

Determine the Purpose of Your Site

Before registering a domain name, it makes sense to determine the purpose of your website. For example, if you are a book distributor and want to sell novels online, you may want to incorporate relative terms into your domain. If you want to brand your site, come up with something that is unique and can be easily pronounced – Google is a perfect example.

Domain Extension

If at all possible, you want to register your domain name with the popular .com extension. While this extension is highly recommend, keep in mind that your ideal domain may not be available exactly how you want it. When this is the case, you should get creative and think of a few combinations that will get you as close to the desired name as possible. Some options include adding a (-) to the name, although it is not advisable to use more than one. If you just can’t find that .com, don’t hesitate to use .net or .biz as they make the best alternatives.

Think Keywords

If you want to generate traffic from search engines like Google and Yahoo, it wise to research a few primary keywords relative to your initiative and incorporate them into your domain. This could possibly boost your search engine rankings and drive in more traffic as well.

Length of Registration

Good domain names are hard to come by. For this reason, we suggest registering your name for as long possible. If you prefer to renew each year, be sure to do so on time or you just might lose it to someone else.

Domain Registrars

A domain registrar is what you need to register your domain name. There are a several registrars to choose from and while they basically offer the same service, you will find that the price tends to range widely. If you want to save money, you should look into a company that offers free domain registration with the purchase of web hosting service or an inexpensive registrar like GoDaddy. In general, you should easily be able to find a respectable registrar offering domain registration for $10 or less per year.

Domain Privacy

The last factor you need to consider is the possibility of somebody looking for you on the web. Anyone can search for domain owners on the WHOIS website. Depending on what you have going on, you may not want to make this information accessible. In this case, you could opt for domain privacy which will keep your domain name private on the WHOIS database. A registrar typically charges an additional fee for this service, but you might find it to be worth the extra costs.

Web Hosting Geeks' Blog » domain registration

Top Domain Registration Services

What is a Domain Registrar?

GoDaddy

Enom

Register.com

Moniker

Domain Name Search

Related posts:

Top 10 Domain Registrars

Related posts:

Little Known Truths about Domain Privacy

Related posts:

The Difference Between Private and Business Domain Registrations

What is Private Domain Registration?

What is Business Domain Registration?

Related posts:

A Comparison of Domain Registrars and Web Hosts

Related posts:

Should You Buy Domains in Bulk?

Related posts:

Acquiring the Domain You Want Through Back-Ordering

Related posts:

Shielding Your Online Identity from Domain Name Thieves

Related posts:

What Do You Get with a Cheap Domain Name?

Related posts:

Six Important Considerations for Domain Name Registration

Related posts: