Most likely you understand the term domain-name already. However let us consider one important factor beyond that nifty phrase you have created to keep it memorable to your users! The use of domain-names, which in turn “point” the visitor to the numerical address of your web-server on the internet (also known as IP Address) has one great advantage in that you can transparently change the actual computer that serves your websites without much difficulty. Thus if you need a more capable server or need to switch to a back-up server or switch providers or roll out a new system – all of that can be done by simply pointing the domain name to the NEW IP address. IF your web-service grows to the size of Google or Amazon … you will also be able to point the same domain-name to different physical servers to service millions of visitors at the same time (load-balancing)…
However, let’s take a step back and see how you can get that nifty catch phrase “registered” for your exclusive use. As you might imagine, just like a phone number, there can only be ONE instance of a domain name. But, just like in the phone number example where the same phone number can exist multiple times within different area codes or even different country codes, the domain name can be under different area (of interest) and/or different country.
The ending of the domain name (whatever is after the last ‘DOT’) is called the TLD (or Top Level Domain). We are most familiar with the best known TLD which is “.com” and indicates a site used commercially without any specific country association. Some countries will group commercial sites as “.com.XX” or “.co.XX” where XX is the two letter ISO country code. Most “country” domain names are restricted to persons or businesses who are resident or citizen of that country.
Important is that if “your-nifty-name.com” is taken by someone else you may still get “your-nifty-name.com.de” or “your-nifty-name.co.uk”. There are also other TLD options that may suit your purpose. Organizations may like “your-nifty-name.org” whilst schools and colleges could use “your-nifty-name.edu” and business may select “your-nifty-name.biz” and those providing internet services/infrastructure may use “your-nifty-name.net”. In the last years many new TLDs have been made available. However, the most common and useful ones might be your own country. Keep in mind that some “country” TLDs are quite expensive (e.g. Tuvalu is selling it’s “.tv” to … you guessed it!). On the other hand, some countries offer completely FREE domain registrations (YES, FREE as in BEER!). You can look at https://www.freenom.com where you can get .tk (Tokelau), .ml (Mali), .ga (Gabon), .cf (Central African Republic) and .gq (Equatorial Guinea). PLEASE note their restrictions on name choices (some must be paid!) and prohibited content, especially the “no empty sites requirement!”. (update 2022: WE do NO longer recommend doing ANYTHING with ‘freenom.com’!!!)
These options and their restrictions will become meaningful when you first visit a Domain Name Registrar. That is where you reserve your chosen name and PAY for the privilege of using that name – usually renewed annually. The registrar will also be the first point of the process of pointing your “name” to the correct “numbered address” as this is where you can specify you DNS (domain name server). More about that later.
Before naming any registrar (again, I use some but have NO affiliation with them and am NOT compensated for showing their names here!), I would like to point out TWO pitfalls of the Registrar system:
- There are “some” scrupulous registrars who will use your search to ‘reserve’ a name for themselves and as a result you will NOT be able to register your nifty name with any other registrar. PLEASE be careful and use a ‘respectable registrar’ to do your initial search.
- The other thing to consider is that large registrars will have promo pricing and discount coupons. However, when it comes to renewing your domain (at the end of the year) there are often no such promo prices. The simple answer for me (and you, if you are on a budget or have many domain names) is frequently just to transfer your domain to another registrar when it is still valid as most of them have ‘promotional pricing’ on transfers! Thus I move domains from one registrar to another often long before expiry and gain many years to expiry in the process of accumulating paid years at discounted prices. Please keep in mind that according to ICANN rules a domain can not be transferred within the first 60 days of registration (may also apply to transfer and to changes in contact or DNS information).
So swing yourself over to one of the well known Registrars or find your own. Be aware that many sites giving you “best registrar lists” are actually pushing for the registrar that gives them a good affiliate commission! The following comments are simply my own observation over the years and your mileage may vary. regardless of registrar, I always decline on the up-sales and also make sure that automatic renewal is OFF (those are just my preference!).
- GoDaddy.com (may redirect you to a country specific site) – Many promos, but also the biggest in offering you so many extra services to go along with your domain name.
- namecheap.com – they always have promos, sometimes specifically for customers of GoDaddy and they offer monthly coupons. However if you want one of their coupons you may need to subscribe to their announcements or search across the web or even on facebook. Make sure you read and understand the fine print on those coupons!
- domain.com another registrar with average service and discounts for transfers. However, since they charged me for a domain they never registered and REFUSED a refund I do not use them any more. Their customer “service” just did not reply and I ended up getting my money back through a pay-pal dispute (they did not bother to reply to pay-pal either!).
- name.com – I have not used them up to now, but they have offers for low price “.com”
- register.com – I have not used them and they seem to be overpriced at first glance
Whilst the above are “primarily” registrars or started out as such they offer different kinds of hosting services now. In the same fashion as “traditional” hosting providers often provide name registration or even “free” domain names as part of their hosting packages.
IMHO it is important to keep these two functions separated. You “may” end up wanting to change you hosting services and find that you are stuck with the one you have now since they also have a hold on your domain name and DNS! PLAN carefully and keep these services separate and under your own control (or let me do it for you!).
Please feel free to ask if you need more information. I will be happy to post a reply here or in the FAQ for everyone to benefit.