What Is a Domain Registrar?

When you type a web address into your Internet browser, you are immediately directed to the website that you were looking for. It seems so automatic that no one really grasps that there is a system in place allows you to be able to access websites so easily and efficiently. This system is called domain registration. The creator of the website contacts a domain registrar to inventory the website address or name and associate it with the website. Therefore, typing in www.cnn.com directs you to the homepage for the Cable News Network.

In the early stages of the Internet, Network Solutions was the only registrar certified by ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers). The company registered all of the domain names and linked them to their respective IP addresses. In addition to this Network Solutions accessed, managed, and modified the master domain name database. This is where all of the registered domain names are recorded. Soon, the domain name industry became extremely large and ICANN began certifying other companies to become domain registrars. Now, there is a much more competitive atmosphere for domain name registration. However, all subsequent registrars must pay a fixed fee to Network Solutions to be able to access the master domain name database. The database is controlled be Internic, a by-product of Network Solutions.

Because of the new domain registrar competition, prices tend to vary. Registrars are permitted to charge above the fixed cost owed to Network Solutions. These charges vary depending on the level of service, bonus features, support, and other characteristics domain registrar may offer. Be wary of extremely low-priced registrars. They often do not have all the necessary technical connections to properly maintain a registered domain name. It also depends on the status of the actual company. Some companies work in conjunction with a registrar to register domain names. This is a 3 rd-party company; therefore, the cost is going to be much higher than going directly through a registrar. The 3 rd –party company must pay the registrar and the registrar must pay Network Solutions. This is why you may often see huge price differences.

ou can often score big savings if you register a domain name for several years at a time. Many domain registrars offer discounts for those who register names in two to ten year intervals. If you have your own website that you would like to register, you should contact several different registrars. Find out what their features are and see which one most appropriately fits your needs. They’ll have people pointing and clicking to your site in no time.