Domain registration is one of the principle steps required in order to own and establish your own website. Knowing what is domain registration is important so that you understand what is involved before construction of your website is underway. Domain registration refers to the steps that need to be taken by an individual or company to secure a website domain. As an example, www.amazon.com or www.google.com are registered website domains.
Completing the domain registration process is crucial as it ensures that that particular domain is rightfully yours and cannot be taken by anyone else. However, domain registration does not last indefinitely; the contract is usually set out for a year. After this period, your will need to renew your registration is order to benefit from its protection.
If you fail to do so, that domain will be once again available to the public. How are domain registrations kept in check? The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, known as the ICANN for short, controls and manages domain names on an international scale through what is known as the Domain Name Server database – i.e. DNS. This means that it is up to the ICANN to ensure that all registered domain names are unique, not currently on the DNS and are connected to an accurate and equally unique IP or Internet Protocol address. This IP address is made up of numbers and is used to locate the server that that particular website is being stored on.
One of the key elements about understanding what is domain registration, is making sure you contact an accredited registar that is officially affiliated with the ICANN. These registars will require a fee, which will vary depending on the company. An accredited registar is required by the ICANN to adhere to certain requirements so you can be assured that your domain registration is carried out in the right manner. It is equally important to make sure whichever domain you are registering, that it is done so in your name and not the name of the registar. You must also confirm you can change your domain name to another registar should you wish to.
These points cover the fundamentals in terms of what is domain registration. If you are going through the process for the first time, it is for your own sake that you read up and understand as much about the process of domain registration as possible before signing any agreement. This way you will know what to look out for and how you can complete domain registration with minimal fuss.