How do I register a web address?

This is a question that many people suddenly need to answer - how can I register a web address to protect my business name, to protect an idea I had, or use my personal name for a new website? Alternatively, you can buy a web address simply as an investment for the future.

'How do I register a web address' is not the right question though. What you should ask is 'How do I buy a domain name?'

Registration or purchase your domain name choice is you have to do. No matter if you simply want to 'reserve' a web address for later use, or put a website immediately, you will actually track and buy the name, the web address from a domain registration service. All you need is your credit card or a Paypal account.

We recommend the best services and easier for this at the end of this article, but whatever service you choose, you will have to pay about $ 9 - $ 20 a year to have a domain registered in his name - which means you own it, and no one else can put a web site with this URL. You will pay this if you're going to put a website or not.

The first thing to check is if the name you want is available or not. To check if you have already taken, simply type the desired address in the address bar at the top of the web browser - for example, iwantthisaddressrightnow.com (use the actual name that you want to own). Two things could happen - the browser will open a webpage, in which case it is too late - someone else already has the name. Or, you get a message that the browser can not find server. This usually means that the name was not taken, and you're lucky. You can now access a registration service domain and buy it.

Of course, all services of domain names will also tell you to check the availability of domain names directly.

What you should never do is to allow a web hosting service to manage your domain name. Many hosts offer a name of 'free' domain of your choice when you sign up for hosting for a year with them. Several reported cases have shown that if the hosting company collapses, it is difficult or impossible to retrieve the domain name and record it yourself. Many people have lost their valuable domain names in this way.

If you register with a reliable domain name will not have this problem, since they will own the name outright, from the beginning. Having bought the name, you can usually 'park' your domain registration service. You can then sign up for a hosting service, and pass the name server when ready (this is explained by your new web host).

So, how do you register a web address in an online service? After checking that the name is not taken, simply proceed through their online order form. Default record includes a record of your name and address, which will be publicly available for anyone to verify ownership of your address. You can get a private registration of your domain, paying a little extra if desired.

That's all there is to it! ......