Registering Your Domain Name
If you are on the road to considering a website, then the first stop is registering your domain name. This article is a complete step-by-step process for those who are completely unfamiliar with the process, broken down into each individual screen on Godaddy.com and what you need to pay attention to.
What to choose
A domain name is, simply put, your address on the web. As an author, you'll want to secure the domain name you will be writing under because it's the name your readers/audience will know you as.
If you plan to write under a pen name, register that as your domain. If you plan to write under a variety of names, register both to secure them.
Helpful hint: Do not delay on securing your domains! A common mistake is thinking that no one else wants that name and that it will be available any time. This is not always true! Even if it's your name, there may be someone else with the very same name. Secure your brand and get your domain name as soon as you think you might want a website.
Dot Com, Dot Net, Dot What?
There are variations on domain names, from .com to .info to .tv. Your best bet, as an author, is to stick to the basics and the most simple. Most internet users readily remember .com websites. If the .com extension is available, choose it. If not, .net and .org would be the next best choices.
Remember, your goal in choosing a domain name is to keep it simple and memorable so your audience can find you easily.
Helpful Hint: If you can afford to purchase all the versions of your domain name (ie domain.com, domain.net, domain.org, etc), it doesn't hurt to protect your brand.
Where to buy
Domains names are purchasable in many places. The largest, most-often used is www.GoDaddy.com. There are plenty of other options to choose from, but Godaddy is often the cheapest. Other registrars include Network Solutions, Registrar.com, Act Now Domains, Dotster.com, Moniker.
Helpful Hint: Did you know that GoDaddy often has coupons for domains and other services? You can search for the latest coupons by googling "Godaddy coupon codes." One website you'll find these at is GoogleLady.com. This can help you save a few dollars so it's worth the few minutes it takes.
What does "Registration" mean?
It's important to understand that registering your domain doesn't mean you "own" it for life. It's basically like renting - you pay a yearly fee to park yourself at this domain name. As long as you continue to pay, no one else can use it or take it away from you. When you stop paying for the domain, it's no longer yours and someone else can take it.
What to know when you register:
How long do you want the domain for?
If this is something you'll have as long as the internet is around, then buy your domain for as many years as possible - it saves you money. However, if you aren't sure or need to preserve pennies to start, just choose the 1 or 2 year length.
Auto-renewal or not?
Do you want this domain to automatically charge your credit card and renew when it's close to expiration? You won't be forewarned, it will simply let you know when the renewal has been charged and taken care of.
If you prefer to handle things like this yourself, be sure to choose "manual renewal." With manual renewal, you will get emails letting you know the domain is close to expiration.
Do you want a private registration?
From Godaddy: With a standard public registration, your name, phone number, postal and email address are listed in the public WHOIS directory. Your personal information is available to anyone, anytime -- exposing you to an untold number of potential problems.
This is why I highly recommend choosing the "Private Registration" option. It's additional cost per month (On GoDaddy, it is part of the "Deluxe registration and costs $8.99 extra per year.) and it shields your privacy. It registers your for a "Domain By Proxy" account, so when anyone looks up your domain name in the WHO Is database, all they see is the Domain By Proxy information and not your personal home address and phone number. It's worth the money, in my opinion. I never register without it.
Do you Need Hosting?
Your domain name is the first step and securing a website hosting provider is the next. If you have decided on GoDaddy to also host your website, you can purchase this at the same time you purchase your domain. Just look for the "Customize My Order" option and it will take you through the list of available hosting options.
Go-Daddy Step by Step Registration
This section is for those completely unfamiliar with the process. GoDaddy's website offers a lot of services, so this streamlines exactly what you need to pay attention to in order to just reserve your domain.
First, go to www.GoDaddy.com.
Look for their search box (It says "Start Here to choose your domain.) and enter in the name you've chosen. From the drop down menu, choose the extension (.com, etc) that you want. Hit "Go" to begin the search.
On the next screen, you'll see if your name is available. Let's say it is, and you can move forward. You need to choose (again) the different extensions you want. This is where you can register the additional more common extensions, such as .net and .org if you want to protect your name from anyone else using it.
Then scroll to the bottom of the page and look for the "Proceed to checkout" button.
The next page will be Godaddy trying to sell you those additional extensions at a discount. If you want them, choose "Yes, Add these to my order." (Keep in mind that the discount is great for bundled registrations, but you will have to pay the Private Registration fee for each domain, so the costs are not as simple as they seem here.)
If you don't want them, look for the smaller "No thanks. Continue to Checkout."
The next step is to create your account, or sign in to your existing account if you have one. If you do NOT choose Private Registration, the information you put here is what people will see in the Who Is Database (address, phone and email).
Next up is the Registration and Checkout Options.
Pay attention to these elements:
- Registration Length: This is the length of time you are "renting" your domain for.
- Auto Renew/Manual: Whether godaddy will renew your domain at the end of your term automatically or prompt you to do it yourself manually.
Type of Registration: Standard, Deluxe or Protected. The standard registration puts your personal information in the WhoIs Database, available to the general public. Deluxe registration gives your Private Registration and Business Registration (But you can remove the business reg in the next window) and preserves your privacy.
If you choose Private Registration, you will receive a Domains By Proxy account. If you have one already, select to Login. If you do not, select "Create New"
If a domain name is all you want, select "No thanks. I'm ready to checkout." and you will be taken to your payment screen. If you'd like other services, such as hosting, choose to Customize Your Order and Godaddy will offer a variety of other services.
Your final step is your shopping cart. First, review your information - make sure the registration length is correct, make sure you have selected Auto or Manual renewal.
Finally, enter any coupon codes you have on this screen. (And a hint! GoDaddy always has coupons floating. Do a google search for "godaddy coupon codes" and you'll invariably find something to help take a few dollars off the cost.)
Enter your payment information, make sure to check that you've read the Domain Registration Agreement and the Universal Terms of Service and choose Checkout now.
That's it! You will receive email confirmation of your order.
Then What?
You have the domain, now what to do with it? The next article in our "Creating a website" section is on Choosing your Hosting Provider.
But first...make sure to place your Godaddy account information: user name, password, account number and registered domains, in a safe place.
It's good to store that information in a central, safe location so you always have it available. Feel free to download this word document created for just that purpose: Author Web Information Print Out