9 - Register Your Domain Name (with GoDaddy)

If you already have a domain name registrar you like, by all means use them. I started using GoDaddy.com a few years ago and find them easy to deal with and very reasonable for domain registration fees ($9.20 a year at this writing.)

To set up an account with GoDaddy, go to GoDaddy.com and click on “Domains” in the green bar and then on “Register Domains” on the drop-down menu. OR enter a domain in the domain search box and hit “Go.”

You’ll be informed (in capital letters) whether the domain name (URL) you typed in the search box is “already taken” or “available.” It’s already taken, you could check the names in “More Options” to see if any of them appeal to you… or go back to the second choice on your list and try again. (See my post Naming Your Blog for help with this.) Sometimes it takes a few tries to get a domain name that’s not already being used by someone else.

When you get to a name you like that’s available, click the orange “Continue” button.

I don’t really think it’s necessary to get the .biz, .net or .info if you were able to find the right .com… and we’re trying to keep things simple here, for starters. So click on the “No Thanks” link and Continue to Checkout.

Next you’ll need to decide how many years you want to reserve your name for. I’d start with 1 to 2 years, especially if you haven’t blogged before and are not sure if your muse will sustain you longer than a year or two. If your blog is going to act as your main website, then you might opt for a longer period. It wouldn’t be much fun to inadvertently lose your domain name, through missing the renewal notices.

You can also choose whether to automatically renew your domain name via credit card or remember to do it manually, when you receive your reminder emails.

If you don’t want your personal or company name to appear in public as the owner of the domain, you could pay a little extra for private registration. When people do a “Who Is” search for your domain, the private registration company will show, instead of you. Or click on “standard registration” if it doesn’t matter.

Click “Quick Checkout” (since this is for your blog which will be hosted elsewhere) and click “Continue.”

You’ll be asked which GoDaddy account you want to register the URL under, or if you wish to create a new account. If you have a GoDaddy account, you can enter your customer number and password in the box.

If you’re new to GoDaddy, you’ll need to give them some information about yourself to finish the registration process, including valid credit card or PayPal information, your mailing address and email address.

**IMPORTANT: Make sure the email address you give GoDaddy is one you’ll be keeping for awhile – or make sure you change it in the account information section – so you get your renewal notices on time. I know people who lost domain names with entire websites built around them because they didn’t get these renewal emails. GoDaddy starts reminding you at 90 days before expiration and sends notices at 60, 30, 15 and zero days. You’ll have lots of renewal notice, as long as they have the right email address for you.

Read the “Domain Registration Agreement” and “Universal Terms of Service” and check both boxes indicating you have done so. Then click “Checkout Now.”

**IMPORTANT: When you’re taken to the page where you set up your GoDaddy account information, please make a note of the “Login ID” number for future use and write down the password you create for the account, too.

I have a GoDaddy file folder, with this information hand-written on the cover, for easy look-up.

Once you enter your personal info, there are a few more radio buttons to check (or uncheck) depending on whether you want to receive newsletters and promotional offers from GoDaddy.

Then click on “Continue with Checkout” and finish the process.

You’ll see a “Receipt” page online which you can print for your files and you’ll also receive an email confirmation of your registration.

** If I missed any steps or if steps aren’t clear (I signed up with GoDaddy a few years ago), please post a comment and I’ll make corrections in the post. Many thanks!

World's Largest Registrar - GoDaddy.com