How to Buy Domain Names in the UK
Registering a domain is the first step to creating a Web presence. Whether you wish to create a website for your business, a tribute to your dog or a site for a local soccer league, buying a domain is a quick process in the United Kingdom. The Internet is a big world full of fraudulent sites and inaccurate information, however. You should learn more about how domain registration works and make sure you buy your domain the right way.
Instructions
Difficulty:
Step 1
Choose a domain registrar. This company processes your domain registration and provides technical support. Many companies outside the United Kingdom as well as Web hosts and Internet service providers (ISPs) offer domain registration services. Most charge similar prices and provide similar levels of service.
Step 2
Search for an available domain using the search bar on the homepage of the registrar's website. Most residents of Britain choose ".co.uk" names, but .com is also a popular choice. The best names are short, memorable and easy to spell. Domains are not case-sensitive, and you cannot have symbols or spaces in your name.
Because the Internet is so popular, chances are good someone may have already registered your domain. If this happens, you can either register the name on a less commonly used extension such as .org.uk or .biz, or come up with a new name entirely.
Most registrars have bulk domain search tools you may use to search up to one hundred domains at once. If you keep finding that your domain ideas are taken, make a long list of alternate domains and use the bulk search tool to save time.
Step 3
Add the domain to your shopping cart and check out to register it. You must register a .co.uk name for at least two years. Many domain owners forget to renew their names after two years, but registrars have an auto-renewal option you can select during checkout to avoid this problem.
During the checkout process, you will need to provide accurate contact data. This includes your full name, email address, street address and phone number. Unless you opt to pay for a privacy protection service, this information will be added to WHOIS, a public database of domain owners.
References
Resources
Tips & Warnings
- Many registrars provide discounts for registrations longer than two years.
Some business owners register their domain across multiple extensions for brand protection.
- Many registrars provide discounts for registrations longer than two years.
- Some business owners register their domain across multiple extensions for brand protection.
Article Written By Daniel Foster
Daniel Foster has been writing about computers and technology since 2006. His work has appeared on websites including Salon, Pingdom and Internet Blog. His photography has been printed in "Maxwell Magazine" as well as the "World of Knowledge" textbook series for children. He is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in international trade and finance and a Bachelor of Arts in German from Louisiana State University.