What is the Best Domain Name Registrar?

It's just a domain name, and it costs somewhere around $8 to $30 a year. Or it might even be free with your web hosting account. Does it matter where it's registered?

The differences in where you register your domain are mostly small, but they may determine whether that domain is still yours tomorrow or next year. And without that relatively cheap domain, you could lose your business.

There is no best domain name registrar. But there are a number of factors to consider when choosing which registrar is best for you.

Domain name registrars and domain resellers

ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) is the organization responsible for the global coordination of domain names. They determine who is on the list of ICANN-accredited registrars, which have direct access to ICANN-designated top level domains. Registrars on this list have to follow ICANN's Registrar Accreditation Agreement. Country code top level domains have their own governing bodies.

Most domain name registrars are resellers of accredited registrars, or they may be resellers of resellers. They typically offer domain registration with other services, so each domain registrar is different.

Who owns domain names?

The owner of a domain name is the person listed as the registrant in the whois database. If people other than the owner are to handle communication, billing, and the technical aspects of the domain, those people can be listed as the administrative, billing, and technical contacts. The registrant is the domain owner (subject to the registrar's terms of service).

Some registrars have themselves automatically listed as the technical contact. However, you should always be listed as the registrant when you register, renew, or transfer domain names, or the domain isn't yours. If you can't enter and keep your name as the registrant, look for another registrar.

Even with your name listed as the registrant, the registrar still has some control over the domain. For this reason, it's common advice to keep your web hosting and your domain registration separate. Some web hosts have taken control of their clients' domains when web hosting billing or other issues came up. However, registrars can be good and not-so-good whether or not they also offer web hosting. If a web host is established in the industry, has a good reputation, and has a satisfactory domain registration terms of service (see below), your domain is probably safe with that web host. Having domains and hosting together offers convenience and often savings.

Factors to consider when choosing a domain name registrar

Reputation Do a search for a combination of the registrar name, "reviews,." and the word "domain" (for registrars that are also web hosts, to reduce the number of web host reviews in the results). Also search for threads about registrars in forums about domains. Keep in mind that people are more likely to post about services when they're unhappy than when they're happy, and some complaints are about problems that aren't the registrar's fault. Reading discussions about registrars helps provide a bigger picture of their reputation.

Terms of service Registrar terms of service are not alike; read them carefully before registering a domain. At least one registrar states in their terms that they can terminate access to services at any time, for any reason, such as that the client is using the domain in connection with spam or morally objectionable activities, as determined by the registrar. They may also terminate accounts if they believe that the client has provided inaccurate information to them, among other reasons. While most registrars don't have such clauses in their terms, reading the terms is an important step in choosing a domain registrar.

Extensions offered Almost all domain registrars offer .com, .net, and .org domain extensions (top level domains). But if you want a country-specific or other less common extension, your choices will be more limited.

Ordering process Expect to see more services offered to you during the checkout process when registering a domain. Some registrars make the checkout process longer than others. If you plan to register a number of domains with a registrar, weigh this time against the other pros and cons of the registrar.

Customer service Most questions concerning domain names aren't time-sensitive. But if a problem develops when a domain is about to expire, for example, you want to know that quick help is available.

Control panel Is the registrar's control panel easy to use? Can you find your way around, view all your domains at once, and make changes to domain records individually and collectively? Also look for a link to the transfer authorization code in case you decide to move your domains later.

Features Some registrars offer (included in the registration price or for a fee) domain forwarding, private whois registration, email forwarding, spam filtering, domain parking, one-page websites, and other services.

Domain renewal options Domain registrars typically send email reminders a month before domains are due to be renewed, sometimes more than one email reminder. Some registrars also automatically renew domains.

Payment options Credit card is the usual payment method. Some registrars also offer PayPal and the option to pay via check.

Price Like everyone else, domain registrars have to make a profit to stay in business. If their domain registration prices are unrealistically low, they need to make money in other ways, such as by charging for services associated with domains. They may also have limited support. The cheapest prices are not necessarily the best value.

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