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A full list of all registrars may be viewed at icann.org.
Current Top Level Domains offered: Com, Net, Biz, Gov, Org, Info, WS, US,
Key Points
Domain Names may be as long as 63 characters and prospective names may be easily checked at any of the registrar web sites. The most common domain, .com, has been taken for most popular names; as a result most registrars offer alternative suggestions to assist. Due to the wide acceptance of the dotcom domain, it is greatly encouraged that name variations with this domain be first explored prior to moving to an alternative domain. Keep also in mind that hyphens and numbers are sometimes confusing and should be avoided, if possible.
Domains that are currently owned and possibly available for sale may be identified at whois.net. Some web sites offer the service of letting you know which domain names have expired and back in circulation for purchase, while other web sites exist where domain names are posted with the current price being asked for by the current owner.
Customer Service appears to be an issue with all registrars, both large and small. The user may want to explore the reputation and standing of a registrar via some of the public chat rooms or postings that detail problems. If you experience a problem with a registrar, you can go to www.internic.net/contact.html> which provides the contact information of the registrar. You may also file a complaint with ICANN, the non-profit organization that oversees domain names (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) at registrarinfo@icann.org; they will not arbitrate a dispute, but do record complaints for monitoring purposes and also forward the complaint to the registrar in question. Prior to registering it is also very helpful to download the registrar?s domain dispute policy and avoid registrar?s that do not have one posted.
When registering a domain name it is very important that correct contact information be provided and the registrant be aware of renewal dates to avoid bureaucratic nightmares that in the worst case scenario could result in the loss of the domain name registration. At the time of registration, you will be provided a NIC ID which is shortcut for future registrations that let registrants avoid repetitively filling out application information. The registrant should also be prepared to identify the primary and secondary DNS name and IP address of the hosting server. If the host is also the administrative or technical contact, the host?s NIC ID will also be required.
Another service being offered is Private Registration of the domain name which masks the owner?s name from publication.
Also:
Many hosting companies now offer domain name registration as part of a package for choosing their hosting services. Intertwining of hosting and domain registration is excellent way for companies to anchor the user to their services; however, this may be an additional hurdle in the event the user is dissatisfied with one service and attempts to move to a different provider. Before accepting a package, check to make sure that the domain is registered in your name which enables you to maintain control.
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