Domain Name Tutorials

Registering a domain name- Registering a domain name is a fairly simple process. In this domain name tutorial we are going to explain the process to registering a domain name and answer some common questions dealing with domain name registration.

Perhaps the most common question that we get asked is what is registering a domain name? To start with we all know that a domain name is how your website is recognized. The registering a domain name beings with purchasing it from a domain name registrar. A domain name registrar is simply a business that is ICANN accredited to register domain names. Domain name registrars are responsible for generic top-level domains. Those generic top level domains consist of .com, .net, .org, .info, .me, .biz, etc. There are tons of other top level domains but they consist of country designators, .asia, .uk, .ca, etc. When registering these types of domain names, you need to utilize a designated registrar to register those types of domain names. No matter how or what type of domain name you register, all your information is entered into a domain name system. This information is public record and contains all of the information that you used to register your domain name. The only way to prevent this is to register your domain name via private registration.

Domain name registrars sometimes offer other services, like web hosting. Web hosts are not necessarily domain name registrars and domain name registrars are not necessarily web hosts, but there are many companies that both register domain names and host sites.

How do I register a domain name?

The very first step in registering a domain name is to find a domain name that you like! This can be accomplished two ways; WHOIS search or checking the availability via the registrar’s website. WHOIS is a free search that will tell you if a particular domain name is available and if not who registered it. If the domain name is already registered you have three options: contact the registered person and see if they are willing to sell it, find another domain name, or back order that domain name in hopes that it will become available. With regards to contacting the registered person, good luck! Many times if they know somebody wants their name they will either sell it really high or not sell it. The best option if your domain name is taken is to find another suitable one. You can work off of your original domain name choice and modify it. Possibly add a keyword or number, spell it differently, or add a dash in between the words.

Who owns the domain name after I register it?

Contrary to popular belief, a person who registers a domain name does not own it. They only lease it. Sure you can resell it during the time you have it renewed but you never own it. A good example of this if you truly owned a domain name you would never have to renew it or worry about it expiring.

What happens if my domain name expires?

A lot of domain name registrar will have automatically renewals. If you elect not to have this you will be given advanced notice that your domain name will expire if you don’t renew it by a certain date. If you choose not to renew the domain name, it will be become available to anybody else. On a lot of domain names, especially the best domain names, people are able to pay money in order to get first shot at the domain name if it ever becomes available. This is known as backordering a domain name.

Do I always have to register my domain name with the same registrar?

Heck no! It doesn’t matter who you initially register your domain name with. You are not obligated to reregister it with them. A good example of this is when people get free domain names from web hosting plans and change web hosting plans after a period of time. They have to register their domain name with a new company in order to keep the domain name active.

GoDaddy

NetSol

Dotster