Domain Name Registration
Domain names are a "pointer" to your website. A good domain name is distinctive, easy to spell, easy to remember, and a good fit for the tone of your site.
Note: Recently, after examining our business model and and the direction we are headed, we decided to stop offering domain registrations. As of August 3, 2010, we are no longer offering domain registration through this site.
If you registered a domain through us in the past, it has been moved to a general account on our former reselling partner, WildWest domains. Don't worry, your domains are safe! WildWest is the reselling subsidiary of Godaddy, Inc., one of the largest domain registrars.
If you are looking to register a new domain, here are a few registrars we recommend:
Moniker - Moniker offers competitive prices on domain registrations in all extensions, as well as some added services. You can add domain privacy for just $4 per domain. Their control panel is easy to navigate and understand. They have a reputation as a very secure registrar and claim never to have lost a domain.
Dynadot - Known for great everyday pricing, an easy-to-use interface and excellent customer service. Private registration is available for $2/domain
Godaddy - If you're looking for the bottom line, coupons and bargain-priced domain sales at Godaddy can often get you big discounts on registration fees. Be warned that registration renewals are usually substantially higher than the first year price! I'm not personally a fan of their interface ( it's awkward and slow) or their ads. Adding domain privacy is pricey and you have to wade through screen after screen of upsells to register a domain. But they're convenient and OK if you just have one or two domains to deal with.
Fabulous Pty - On the other end of the scale, if you have a LOT (by which I mean a hundred or more) of domains to register or transfer, I highly recommend Australia's Fabulous.com! Privacy and extended locking are free. They're NOT for you if you only have a couple of domains, but if you're dealing in bulk, their wholesale prices and services are the best around.
On the "not recommended" list:
Some big names that fall short on price and value compared to other domain registrars.
Network Solutions - Very high fees compared to other registrars, no added value to justify those prices.
eNom - Ditto.
1and1 - Have some good pricing, but not much else to offer. Their control panel's awkward to understand. If you want to drop or transfer a domain away from them, call customer service for instructions, as the procedure isn't easy to find on their site. If you do not drop account products the correct way, they will continue to bill you forever!
Yahoo - Again, high prices and no added value. Yahoo makes it difficult to do many routine administrative tasks. I'm not a fan of their hosting either. They get customers because of their name, not because they have anything great to offer.
Can't find an available name you like? We also have some premium domains for sale!
IMPORTANT: Before you register a domain name, always search for existing trademarks on the name you plan to register.
The registrars (eNom, Network Solutions, Godaddy, etc.) don't emphasize this, but using a domain with someone else's trademark CAN subject you to having your domain name taken from you without reimbursement - or in some cases, being on the receiving end of a lawsuit!
As a rule, avoid domains which have the names of other companies, products, sports teams, schools, bands or famous people UNLESS they have given you authorization to use their name.
We've compiled a short list of resources about domain names and trademark law.