Can someone give me some advice on where I should do this? I've been reading posts that advise me against having my web host register the name, but I'm not sure I understand what kind of company I'm looking for. Is it something like Network Solutions? Does it matter which one I go with, aside from what they charge?
thx.

you can ask your web host to register the domain for you. But its
better if you register it yourself and use the host only for hosting.

try godaddy.com

buying from resellers sometimes cheaper for than buying
from the ICANN authorized sellers.

I would not recommend to register your name with your host. I always recommend to keep web hosting seperate from your domain name registration. There are a new number of well known registrars to choose from RegisterFly, Godaddy, Enom to name just a few.

That is true, you are better off registering your own domain, so they don't hi-jack it or anything. when I wanted to buy a domain I started browsing and came up eith that resellers are the cheapest, of course I didn't know what cheapest reseller to trust. It ended with buying a reselelr account lol, for the time and for future use. and I don't regret it :)

Since I don't know the other systems as well, I can only comment upon the wwd esellers, and I think it is quite safe. The interface is good, ssl secure and standard, the resellers doesnt have much control over your account, the support, and you need to check this, is either handled directly by secureserver.net or by the reseller. the standard support is fast and pretty fair. Although wwd support to resellers are a bit better. Should the reseller quit and not renew his account (which is done yearly), all that happens is wwd/godaddy takes over your account and you get their rate instead which is just slightly higher..

I guess an enom reseller would say you should go with them too.. I say take either an enom or wwd reseller.. :)

Yes, you should register your domains yourself and not ask your web host do that for you. This is to avoid problems in certain circumstances e.g. when you would like to change your web host etc.
Good web hosts though don't do any trouble. ;)

Do you recommend "private registration" or is standard OK?

it depends on you. personally I don't bother about spam, I have good spam filters, and I don't mind my name being out there for the whole world to see :) but people are different.

Actually this is how I have chosen to differ from the mainstream resellers myself, by offering cheap private registrations on managed accounts.

Originally posted by jbert
Do you recommend "private registration" or is standard OK?

It is up to you. I myself will not do business over the internet with a company that hides it's whois information.

Thanks. I'm a little paranoid about having my priviat info out in the world, but on the other hand, there's nothing so private that it can be used to defraud me (I don't think), so I'm inclined to go ahead and leave it standard.

well try godaddy or namecheap and if you need to protect your private info, they offered it too :)

Thanks everyone. I went with Godaddy. So far so good. Their help pages are truly helpful!

Oooh...

I thought namecheap.com is offering masking for free?

Originally posted by freak
Oooh...

I thought namecheap.com is offering masking for free?

They use enom's system by virtue of that fact it is free

There always seems to be unfair paranoia popping up in these forums when the subject of registering your domain through your web host is aired.

Most web hosts who offer domain registration, either free or paid, clearly state in their TOS and/or in their web pages their policy in that respect. They know you need a domain before you will need hosting and as that is their prime business we don't feel you should pay the world for a domain which you will only renew annually whereas hosting repeats month after month.

Look over the hosts site or ask the question if you have any concerns - more often than enough you will be able to purchase your domain for a few bucks without needing to prefund an account with a Domain Name Registrar. :)

Good luck whichever way you decide :)

Originally posted by dmaven
I would not recommend to register your name with your host. I always recommend to keep web hosting seperate from your domain name registration. There are a new number of well known registrars to choose from RegisterFly, Godaddy, Enom to name just a few.

Registerfly isn't a registrar, they are Enom resellers or as some like to be called "RSP - Registration Service Providers".

Originally posted by SEATi
Registerfly isn't a registrar, they are Enom resellers or as some like to be called "RSP - Registration Service Providers".

With the amount of names they have under register they are bigger than all but 14 other registrars. I would not be suprised if they make an accreditation announcement shortly