How to Register a Domain Name

Finding an appropriate domain name (e.g. craigrivett.com) is one of the first and most important things that you need to do when you decide to launch a website.

Here’s how to find and register a domain name in two easy steps.

The rules

  • It needs to be a .com (when you tell people the name of your website they automatically assume that it’s a .com. Don’t make them search for it)
  • It needs to be 9 letters or less (shorter is better)

Step 1

The best tool to finding a .com is NameMesh.com. When you input URL options this site tells you whether it is available or not. It also makes suggestions for similar options that are available.

Step 2

Once you’ve found a name it’s time to register it. There are many registries available — the biggest is probably GoDaddy.com (NameMesh directs you do them).

Based on past experience I don’t recommend GoDaddy. The site is not user-friendly and it is almost impossible to move your domain elsewhere at a later stage.

If you are in South Africa then I suggest that you use Hetzner.co.za. It has great customer service and a very easy to use website.

The cost to register .com for a year on Hetzner is R129.

Bonus

What should I do if the domain I want is already registered?

To find out who owns a domain go to http://whois.icann.org/en. Most of the time their details along with an email address will be listed there. Go ahead and contact them, if they are interested in selling go ahead and negotiate a price.

Did you find a domain name using these steps? Please let me know by contacting me or by tweeting @CraigRivett.