How to Register a Domain Name for a Blog

Registering your blog’s domain name is a straightforward process. You use a domain registrar to buy your name, and then all you need to do is “point” your new domain at your Web host. Many domain registration services are available.

Visit any domain registrars to check whether your domain is available and then follow the domain registrar's instructions to register it. You can choose to register your domain for a single year or for multiple years at a time. Typically, registering for multiple years earns you a small discount. If you choose to register for only a year, you need to renew the domain in a year (assuming you want to keep your Web site going). Many domain registration companies also offer Web-hosting and e-mail packages.

Choosing a domain registration service choice really comes down to the domain management interface — the tools that are provided to you in order to manage your domain. Some management screens are incredibly difficult to work with. Finding a host that has a clean and easy-to-use interface makes a world of difference when you’re updating or making changes to your Web domain.

Popular registrars include

Go Daddy: Provides a long list of Web services from domain hosting, Web hosting, and e-mail address hosting. It has a decent reputation and is easy to contact should you require assistance.
Network Solutions: One of the grand daddies of all registrars. At one time, it was one of the few places you could register a domain. Services are varied and flexible, but domains are a little pricier here.
Domainsatcost.ca: Located in Canada, provides registrations for all major domains, including .com and .ca domains. They have a support number (long distance applies), but they do answer the telephone — something that is rare with domain hosts. Domainsatcost.ca is reasonably priced.

Keep your blog’s domain registration up to date. If you have any changes to your domain or contact information including your e-mail address, update your domain information immediately. If your information isn’t current, you could lose access to your domain or even miss e-mail reminders to renew your domain.