A domain name registrar provides unique top-level domain names for building websites on the internet. Registrars are accredited by ICANN and offer various web hosting services. Some registrars offer free hosting in exchange for registering a domain, while others charge separately for hosting. Buyers should read the fine print and ensure they have control over their domain and the ability to transfer it. Personal information is required when registering a domain, but some registrars offer anonymous registration.
A domain name registrar provides top-level domain names to end users for the purpose of building websites on the Internet. Each domain name must be unique, therefore the availability of a given name is not guaranteed. Once an end user finds an available and acceptable domain name, they pay a fee to the domain name registrar to lease the domain in the user’s name for a one-year contract term. A user can optionally choose to pay for an extended contract to keep the name for a longer period of time. Once the contractual period has expired, renewal is optional.
Domain name registrars are accredited by ICANN (International Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) to advertise website domains. There are many accredited registrars available online and prices vary widely for their services.
While technically separate from domain name registration, some registrars offer a number of web hosting services to provide a “one stop shop” where a customer can purchase a domain and get services to get it started. Templates for easy website creation, the ability to include chat forums on the site, multimedia content, and commercial packages that include automatic inventory and credit card services are all examples of possible hosting services.
Many registrars have developed creative marketing techniques to attract customers. For example, a domain name registrar might offer amazing “free” web hosting in exchange for registering a domain for $35 United States Dollars (USD) per year. Another domain name registrar might take the opposite approach of charging a mere $1 to $5 USD per year for a domain, while hosting is separate and extra. Both types of registrars can come in handy under different circumstances.
Not everyone who buys a domain name wants to develop a website. In some cases, people register names they believe will be popular, hoping to resell them. Others want to reserve a name even if they aren’t ready to create a site. In these cases, hosting services are not required and such individuals can buy from a domain name registrar who sells low-cost domains with no mandatory hosting services. These registrars usually offer free “parking” for domains. This means that a single page is displayed if someone visits the website. The page may indicate that the site is under construction or may announce that the domain is for sale.
No matter what your plans for a domain might be, you should read the fine print before deciding on a domain name registrar. Buyers should be confident that they have full control of the domain and the ability to transfer it to another domain name registrar if they wish. In many cases, transferring a domain is free, but some registrars charge a fee. If you are dissatisfied with your domain name registrar or find that you can get a better deal by registering the domain with another registrar, you will want to have the option to transfer the domain.
When registering a domain name, the registrar will ask for personal information that will be available in several public databases, including WHOIS (Who Is). This includes the domain owner’s full name, address, phone number, and email address. Some registrars offer anonymous registration. In this case the domain name registrar lists his information in public databases instead. If you want to contact the owner of the domain name, he must go through the registrar, who in turn contacts the owner, acting as a proxy. Some registrars charge for this service, while others offer it as a free option.
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