How To Register For Domain

Registering your domain name is the first step in establishing your online presence and reaching visitors. Nosotros'll show you how to create and register your domain, avoid some of the pitfalls that can arise, and cull the all-time domain name to make sure that your site reaches the most people. Read below if you lot want to get on your way to a successful website!

Method 1: With a Hosting Service

one

Determine your preferred route. Your website will exist made with a series of files, so you'll demand a place to store those files. You lot can do it on your own computer (without a hosting service) or store them on another visitor's servers (with a hosting service). Most webhosting services will likewise be able to register a domain name for y'all. Choose which road you want to accept and then follow the appropriate set of instructions.
2
Cull a hosting service. Cull a service to host your website, or go with the service that y'all already have (if you inherited a website).^[ane] There are many reputable ones, and yous will want to cull a reputable one, but they tend to have different customer service policies and prices. Cull what's best for you.
- Reputable hosting services include SafetyNames.com, GoDaddy.com, OnlyDomains.com and eNom.com.
- The hosting services all piece of work with the ICANN database, which is in charge of keeping rails of all domain names, so they should all plow up the same information.
Advertizing
three
Use the availability checker. These sites volition all have an availability checker, where you lot type in the domain name you lot want and they tell you if it'due south available or propose alternatives if information technology isn't. Some will even tell yous if in that location is a cheaper domain with a slightly different name.
- Virtually of the basic, well-known domain names will be taken already.^[two]
4

Select other services. Once you've found an available domain name, you lot'll want to select it and follow the instructions for that item service. When you select your domain name, you will also take the opportunity to add on other services that the host also provides. Cull what's best for you.
5

Fill out their forms. They will and so ask for a agglomeration of information from you. This is necessary to annals with the WHOIS database, where the owners of websites are required to list their information. This data can be made public or you tin can cull to proceed in individual (unremarkably for an added fee).
6

Pay them. Websites aren't free! Enter your payment information and brand certain it'due south right.^[3] This is why it's a expert idea to choose a reputable site: because they volition have your payment data.
vii

Use their tools. Once you lot're registered with them and everything is good to become, yous tin start using their tools to upload stuff to your site. You can also gear up uploading through software programs similar Firefox or Dreamweaver.

Advertisement

Method 2: Without a Hosting Service

one

Check with your ISP. Now, the fob with hosting your website on your own servers is that some ISPs (internet service providers) don't let this. They will block the traffic. So, the commencement matter to exercise is check with your Internet service provider to make sure this is allowed and if you need to practice anything special. If they don't allow it, y'all'll take to either modify ISPs or change your heed nigh hosting.
ii
Choose a registrar. Choose either one of the major hosting services, or notice a website that only does registration, like Domjax. You can simply register a domain proper name with most of the hosting companies; you don't accept to also host with them. But find a reputable and certified^[iv] domain registrar.
- Proceed in heed that some hosts and registrars are simply allowed to annals sure top-level domains (or TLDs), similar .org and .thirty, and then on.
3

Get a server. You'll need a server to host your site on. You can repurpose an old reckoner or yous can get a straight-up server...whichever suits your needs best. But brand certain that it tin can handle the needs of your website. If you think you're going to be getting a lot of traffic, y'all'll demand a fast system. Your local figurer store staff person should exist able to advise you on the best pick for your needs.
four

Get a static IP address . You'll need to set up up your IP accost to stay the aforementioned. Usually these change, but if yours changes people won't be able to get to your site! Think of the net like a post role, and your IP address is like your address. It needs to stay the same if you lot want your mail to get to you!
5

Get the necessary software . You lot'll need software to run your server, and then cull one that works for you and that you tin can learn to apply. The most common is Apache.
6

Configure your router and firewall. Both your router and your firewall volition demand to be reconfigured to allow your website to work. Your router will demand to correctly forward connections on port 80 and your firewall will need to permit the traffic to movement through.^[v]
7

Route your domain traffic to your reckoner. Brand sure that everything is correctly set at that your domain traffic is sent to the correct location: your server! Test once y'all are washed, both on your ain computer and ane at some other location (like, some other business firm) to make sure information technology works.
8

Recognize the security gamble. Yous demand to sympathise that running your own server poses a serious security take a chance, as it is much easier to hack, and y'all volition need to accept the appropriate security precautions. Pay constant attending to your website and make sure that there are no signs of a security alienation.

Advertisement

1

Avoid getting stuck. Did you find out that the domain name you wanted was already taken? Are you wanting to be sure that your domain proper name is optimal for people to observe your website? You'll want to practice a few elementary steps to go the name merely right, rather that getting stuck and giving up or taking a less than great name.
2

Keep it current. Choose a domain name that sounds electric current, and non like something out of the 90s or 00s. Avoid using numbers or letters for words (2, four, U, etc), or other dated language.
iii

Exist professional person. Choose a proper noun that sounds professional and legitimate. Unless y'all want to be mistaken for a porn site or a scam, choose a name that sounds professional. For example, don't proper name your travel website Travel4U.biz and instead go with something like QualityTravel.net.
4

Make sure information technology's readable. The domain name should exist easy to read. Avoid names that are made upwardly of multiple words with the aforementioned letter of the alphabet or letters that look the same, such as wikihowworld or wikiliki. On many computers and print media, these will be difficult to read correctly.
5

Go along information technology short. Shorter domain names are meliorate, as these are easier to read, type, and recall. However, if your website tin can be easier to call back or stand out more than at wikiHow.com, rather than wHow.com, then don't worry well-nigh it.
6

Be memorable. If someone is going to learn about your website by word of oral fissure, you'll want it to be something that'southward piece of cake to remember. This is why it'south best to name it after your business or after yourself (if it'due south something like a portfolio site).
seven

Choose something that's clearly y'all. Tie your domain name to your brand rather than your product. This will assist people find you lot more than easily and be easier to call up. It can also cutting down on the cost of your domain. For example, wikiHow.com is improve than GoodInfo.com.
8

Use Google'southward tools. Maximize SEO (search engine optimization) by taking advantage of Google'due south tools, like Google Trends and Google Keywords. They can help you lot find easier searchable or more commonly searched alternatives, likewise every bit provide expected search numbers.
nine

Avoid copyright issues. Don't proper noun your site in a way that could get a copyright issue. That's a whole nightmare that y'all don't want to deal with. Don't confuse the terms with common intellectual properties or make information technology something that might be abusive to someone'south copyright. For example, naming your website DisneyMovies.com or PedoMickeyMouse.com is probably a terrible idea.

Advertisement

ane

Choose a mutual TLD. Top-level Domains (or TLDs) are the final part of your domain proper noun, the letters following the dot. There are two TLDs that are commonly used regardless of the nature of the site and that is .com or .net. These are useful as people volition assume it is one or the other if they can't call up or do non know your website accost.
ii

Indicate a business. There are a few domains that are used for businesses, beyond the normal ii, and you may want to consider them. Using one of the unusual TLDs can help go on costs down, as these usually cost less coin to register. Examples include .biz, .info, also as the industry specific and qualification-requiring options.
iii

Point an organization. While the .org TLD is at present open to anyone, it is unremarkably used to indicate an organization or not-profit entity. If you are such an entity, it would exist a practiced idea to get one of these domains, as it will lend legitimacy to your organization.
iv

Indicate a personal site. While the 2 most common TLDs are usually used in personal sites, you practise take a wide diverseness of options available to you, if you would rather set yourself apart or save some money. Widely consider your options before settling.
5

Betoken your region. In that location are likewise TLDs for many of the different countries and regions. If you lot accept a business organisation that only operates within your land, it may be a expert thought to choose one of these. They also serve to set your site apart and lower the cost, every bit the name volition exist in less demand.
6

Consider the final phrase. Make sure when y'all cull a name and TLD that you read out loud how the whole thing sounds together. Look for ways in which the spelling or pronunciation might change if the dot was removed. People will accidentally create bad-mannered or offensive phrases, especially if choosing i of the not-standard TLDs. You can besides employ this to your advantage and make your spider web address a phrase, like "noneofyour.biz" or "weare.united states of america".
7

Keep limits in mind. Some TLDs require sure credentials to get. These include TLDs like .aero, .int, .museum, or .pro. If you have the credentials necessary to get one of these domains, you lot may desire to consider it. Otherwise, don't worry about these, as yous will exist unable to get them.

Advertisement

Add New Question

Question

Is GoDaddy a domain registrar?

Stan Kats is a Professional person Technologist and the COO and Chief Technologist for The STG IT Consulting Grouping in West Hollywood, California. Stan provides comprehensive technology solutions to businesses through managed IT services, and for individuals through his consumer service business, Stan's Tech Garage. Stan holds a BA in International Relations from The Academy of Southern California. He began his career working in the Fortune 500 It world. Stan founded his companies to offer an enterprise-level of expertise for pocket-size businesses and individuals.

Professional Technologist

Expert Reply

Yes, GoDaddy is a domain registrar. Network Solutions is another well-known registrar that you can use.
Question

How can I buy a domain proper name permanently?

Stan Kats is a Professional person Technologist and the COO and Chief Technologist for The STG IT Consulting Grouping in West Hollywood, California. Stan provides comprehensive technology solutions to businesses through managed It services, and for individuals through his consumer service concern, Stan's Tech Garage. Stan holds a BA in International Relations from The Academy of Southern California. He began his career working in the Fortune 500 IT world. Stan founded his companies to offer an enterprise-level of expertise for small-scale businesses and individuals.

Professional Technologist

Expert Respond

Purchase a domain through a registrar, like GoDaddy. Search for the proper name that you're interested in, and so pay online.
Question

How do I pay for a domain proper name?

Stan Kats is a Professional Technologist and the COO and Principal Technologist for The STG It Consulting Group in West Hollywood, California. Stan provides comprehensive technology solutions to businesses through managed IT services, and for individuals through his consumer service business, Stan's Tech Garage. Stan holds a BA in International Relations from The University of Southern California. He began his career working in the Fortune 500 IT world. Stan founded his companies to offering an enterprise-level of expertise for pocket-sized businesses and individuals.

Professional Technologist

Expert Reply

It's going to exist similar any other online checkout process. You'll put in your billing information and e-mail, requite them a payment carte, and check out.
Question

If a domain proper noun is available, is it costless?

Naomi Davis

Community Respond

No, there will be a fee. Even so, depending on the company you use to register your domain and as well the name in question, the prices tin range from very inexpensive to much college. Look effectually for a reputable company of which y'all feel comfy having your payment details and encounter what they offer. Many of my blogger friends like to employ namecheap for their domain, merely I've as well heard Gandi is skilful.
Question

How do I decide if a domain name is available?

Get to networksolutions.net and click on the Domain Names tab at the top left. Follow the instructions from there.
Question

Tin can I register a domain name before paying?

No, you volition need to pay prior to registering the domain name.
Question

Can my domain proper noun exist known to others or be stolen when I am typing it out to detect if it is available?

If you practice not buy it immediately, yes, someone else could buy it upward. Make sure the name is what y'all want before you type it in and cheque your typing for typos.

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a bulletin when this question is answered.

Submit

Advertizing

Video

TLD's on different servers may concord different pricing, functions or chapters. For example, Wordpress sites under dot-com TLD'due south are cheaper, yet have more limitations than dot-org TLD's.
Registering a domain name will go a new website halfway to the Cyberspace. You must too find a visitor to host the website. This ways paying a visitor to use their server, or estimator space, to "park" a web site. Web hosting companies keep their servers live, or ever on and connected to the Internet, and so that people tin can always admission the web sites. Many companies will host web sites. WordPress is a pop example. Shop around. Read forums and await for user feedback, because prices vary, equally does quality.
Network Solutions too offers a free "whois" service that will tell you who owns a specific domain name. If a desired domain name is unavailable, the whois service will provide the name and address of the person who currently owns that domain so y'all tin contact that person, and offer to buy the domain proper noun.

Advertizement

Beware of websites promising free domain names. These sites may offer you a domain name in exchange for assuasive them to host the website. Nonetheless, many of these sites will retain ownership of the domain name if you choose to switch hosts.
Professionals should retrieve twice about whatsoever site that gives out a domain proper name at the tail stop of the web site. For example, if yous are launching a computer retail business concern, the domain name "www.geocities.com/AppleComputer" doesn't exactly lend your business credibility. People tend to trust the domain name.

About This Article

Commodity Summary X

1. Choose a webhosting service that offers domain proper noun registration.
two. Use the availability checker to search for your domain name ideas.
3. Select a domain proper noun once you find information technology.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to process your payment.

Did this summary assist y'all?

Thank you to all authors for creating a folio that has been read 552,692 times.