Findout How to Register a Domain Name?
Once you have decided on your domain name, it is best to grab it before someone else does. But how? As you may have realized, you cannot own your domain name just as you own a car or a house. Rather, you can register and use the name for a definite period. Again, you cannot do this directly with ICANN. You will need to go through delegated intermediaries for this purpose. A domain name registrar is a commercial entity that offers registration service to the public. ICANN maintains a complete list of accredited domain name registrars.
As domain names are suffixed with a top-level domain extension, your first step would be to identify registrars offering registration service for your particular choice of top-level domain extension. Surely, you will find many different registrars offering registration for the same TLD. To pick the right one from the lot, you will need to do a bit of spade work. Some of the factors to be considered before reaching a decision are
- range of service offered
- costs involved
- terms and conditions of service
- customer support and dependability
The registration of a domain name is usually for a specific number of years ranging from 1 to 10. Very few registrars provide the option of registering the domain for periods above 20 years. Towards the end of the registration term you will need to renew your registration in order to retain the domain name. If not renewed on time the registration expires and the domain name will then be available for anyone to claim.
Verisign which operates the authoritative registries for .com, .net, .name, .tv, and .cc explains domain registration process as follows:
“A registrant (an individual consumer or business owner) requests a domain name from a registrar. The registrar verifies that the domain name has not been registered by anyone else. If it is available, the registrar registers the domain name with the registry on behalf of the registrant. The registry adds the domain name to the registry database and the registrant can begin using it for a Web site, email or other Internet services.”
When a registrar registers a domain name for a customer, the customer’s contact information is entered into the WHOIS database. However, if the customer opts for private domain registration, the registrar replaces the customer details with its own in the database. This protects the customer’s privacy and provides added security against identity thefts. Registrars often provide this as an additional service at an added cost.
Domain locking is yet another security enhancement that prevents unauthorized activity and human error. Locking the domain prevents a third party from transferring your domain to a different registrar without your consent. It also provides protection against accidental changes to name servers which a customer may inadvertently make.
Even if you have coined the most unusual of domain names to advertise your online identity, it becomes truly yours only when you register it with a domain registrar. Moreover with online identity thefts on the rise, private domain registration has become a necessity. This feature along with locked domains goes a long way in providing peace of mind where domain name is concerned.