To most newcomers, a simple thing such as domain registration can be confusing. Some even have a difficult time telling the difference between that and web hosting.These are two distinct operations, both of which must be completed if you want to have a website with your chosen name.
First I'll start by explaining the process of domain registration. It is as follows: First you choose a name that you would like for your website. The next thing to do is to check if that name is available. The way to do that is to go to the website of one of the web hosting companies. They will usually have a domain name search box somewhere near the top of the front page (domain name is the same thing as website name). You enter the name you like, such as maryjaneswebsite (no spaces), then choose com or net or org or any of a number of extensions.
The most commonly used extension is com, so if you don't choose an extension, com will be chosen automatically for you. Then click search and it will come back and say whether the name is available or not. If it's not available, choose something else close to what you want and search again until you find a name your are satisfied with. Sometimes if the com name is already taken, you may find that the net name is available, and nowadays net is just as good as com, especially for personal websites. When you are done picking the name, then decide whether you want to buy the name from that particular hosting company.
It's possible to buy and register a domain name with one company and host it (build a website) with a different company. This is generally not recommended for beginners because you will then have to manipulate the DNS server data to relocate or point the domain name to the hosting site in order for your website to be online. Or you may decide later to transfer the name to the hosting company, a process that will cost you an extra $10 - $15. Unless you are an expert or at least comfortable with domain management, it's generally better to buy the name and host it with the same company.
After finding a suitable name and deciding where you want to host it, go to that hosting company's website and sign up for an account. Then buy and register the name with them at the time you purchase a hosting plan. The processes of buying and registering the name are one and the same. As soon as you finish buying it, it will be registered to you as the owner.
That is the process of domain name registration, simply put. In Part 2, I will explain the process of buying a hosting plan, so you can build a website using your registered domain name.
John Guinn is the Founder and CEO of Complete Hosting Reviews, a website that publishes unbiased reviews of the top web hosting companies.
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