I'm very new to all this so I've got a few questions... please be patient with me!:crap:

I was told that I should always check InterNIC's list of domain name registrars and only use someone on that list. Buuutt... I've noticed that, in these posts, people are using companies not on that list.

What's a SAFE way to find a good company to register through?

I'll be happy with any help possible!

Originally posted by Newbie Vik
I'm very new to all this so I've got a few questions... please be patient with me!:crap:

I was told that I should always check InterNIC's list of domain name registrars and only use someone on that list. Buuutt... I've noticed that, in these posts, people are using companies not on that list.

What's a SAFE way to find a good company to register through?

I'll be happy with any help possible!

safest way: ask for opinions :)

IMO, stay away from NetSol, register.com and any other registrar that's $20 or more per year. You could always go with a partner or reseller of a big name (ie accredited) registrar. Many companies here are eNom partners/resellers and that is OK to use.

You also have to be sure how the domain name is registered. There are a couple hosts/companies out there that will limit your access to the control panel so you can't (or have a harder time) to do things such has change DNS records, contact info, etc.

ICANN accredited domain registrars are at the heart of domain registration. You cannot register a COM NET or ORG domain (or many others for that matter) without using an ICANN accredited registrar at the root of the registration, since only ICANN registrars can actually register these domains with the registry :).

Now where it gets confusing today, is with the reseller market.

Many ICANN registrars offer domains at wholesale to resellers. Resellers then sell to the public. It's a great way to foster competition in the domain sales business - with thousands, or tens of thousands of websites now selling your domains, rather than just a couple.

Therefor MOST domain registration sites on the Internet are resellers for an ICANN registrar, and not the registrar's site itself.

It's a big world out here, with many, many choices.

Good luck with yours.

-t