Step 1: Check if the domain name is available

Step 1 in registering a domain is checking to see if it’s already taken. You can do that by running what’s called a WHOIS search, which tells you who—if anyone—owns a particular domain name. You can run a WHOIS lookup by going to http://www.whois.net/.

Step 2: Need hosting? Or just the name?

Step 2 is deciding whether you’d like to just register the domain name, or whether you also need web hosting. Domain name registration costs $10-40 annually, and you can reserve domain names for up to ten years. If you want to actually have a website, you’ll need web hosting service as well. Cheap web hosting can be found for around $10/month.

I have personal experience with and can recommend DreamHost (http://www.dreamhost.com) for personal sites, or EngineHosting (http://www.enginehosting.com) for something mission-critical. There are lots of other quality webhosts out there, though, so ask around for recommendations.

Step 3: Register that thang

Step 3 is actually registering the domain name. Only ICANN-accredited domain name registrars (here’s the full list, there are thousands: http://www.icann.org/en/registrars/accredited-list.html) can actually do this. The two big boys in the room are GoDaddy, of the misogynistic Super Bowl commercials, and Network Solutions, who have taken upselling to new heights/depths. If you’re buying only the domain name but not web hosting, either of these companies is fine.

If you’re buying both registration and web hosting, it’s pretty convenient to have the same organization handle both. For example, I use DreamHost, as they’re both a web hosting company and an accredited registrar. Under no circumstances should you use web hosting services offered by GoDaddy or Network Solutions.

One other thing: Web hosting companies who aren’t accredited registrars will often “offer” both hosting and registration, but you should be aware that they’re essentially acting as the middleman for the registration. This means that if there are ever any issues with the domain name, you might need to talk to the registrar directly rather than your hosting company. This isn’t necessarily shady behavior, but you should know about it.

Step 4: Protect your privacy

Step 4 is choosing private registration. What this means: When you’re registering the domain name, there will be an option to make your registration details private. Many registrars make this free, others charge a few bucks for it. Do it—if not, then every time someone runs a WHOIS search against your domain name, they’ll see the name, address, etc. that you used to register it. Spam city.

Hope you found this useful!