How to Buy a Domain Name

What the best domain name registrars have

• ICANN accreditation. The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) is a nonprofit organization that, among other things, oversees the domain name system of the Internet. Check the ICANN-Accredited Registrars official list.

• Simple domain-transfer policies. Registrars in general have a terrible reputation for holding names hostage, making it difficult to switch registrars if you become dissatisfied. Some charge exorbitant fees or create delays to avoid losing business.

• Full disclosure of registration fees. The domain name registrar has to pay an annual fee to ICANN for each domain name registered through them. While most domain name providers include this fee in their advertised cost, GoDaddy.com and NameCheap.com don't -- each tells you this through a small print notice at the bottom of their home pages. Although the fee is only 18 cents, it does change the advertised price and puts off some consumers and reviewers.

Know before you go

Investigate their business practices. Many domain registration companies try to sell you additional services and products. However, GoDaddy.com annoys users and reviewers alike with their aggressive upselling techniques, making consumers go through several additional screens of sales pitches in order to buy a domain name.

What kind of tech support is offered? If all goes well, you won't need tech support, but it's worth looking into what's available for customers, including email, live chat and telephone options. Most registrars have limited phone support, if any, and it usually requires a toll call.

Make sure the domain is actually registered to you. You don't want your site registered to your web host or third-party registrar. Some registrars will offer free or below-cost domain names, and then make it near-impossible to switch to a different provider.

Check the available name extensions. If you want to use an unusual or restricted extension for your domain name, check that the domain registrar is allowed to sell it. Not all domain registration services can sell all name extensions, especially the country codes.

Consider add-on services. Private registration hides your identity and your contact information from Whois searchers (a Whois search tells you who is behind the website). Companies such as GoDaddy will lower the price of domain names when coupled with add-on services, such as web hosting. Other features include email accounts, email forwarding and domain forwarding.

Think twice about using an alternative top-level domain. Reviewers point out that a high percentage of site searches are conducted by guessing a domain name, as opposed to using a search engine. Alternatives to .com can be cheaper, especially .info, but they can make your site hard to find and difficult to remember.

Watch for coupons and discounts. Domain registration services frequently offer discounts or issue online coupons for a reduced price on their services and products.

Consider using a web host. Web hosting services often offer free or discounted domain registration when you buy their services. Some reviewers, however, point out that it may be difficult to transfer domains purchased in this way if you become unhappy with your web host's service.