Register a domain name?

[Harveypool]

If the domain name I want is not currntly in use ,can I register it as mine for free and how do I go about it?

[Buenchico]

You can register it but you can't do it for free. You normally do this through a 'registrar', which is a firm which can offer you additional services (such as e-mail forwarding for your address) if you need them.

Most UK-based registrars will register domain names through Nominet (who control .co.uk registrations). You can find a list of all Nominet registrars here:
http://www.nominet.org.uk/governance/members/l ist/

However, to find firms which specialise in domain name registration, it's probably easiest to search for that phrase on Google.

Prices vary depending on your chosen extension. e.g. 123-reg charge �2.59 per year for .co.uk but �8.99 per year for .com. Some addresses (e.g. .uk.com can cost much more).
http://www.123-reg.co.uk/domain-names/your-int ernet-domain-name.shtml

Chris

[Harveypool]

Thank Buenchico. Made interesting reading. Lots of food for thought.

[jenstar]

Heart Internet are good adc cheap. You won't get theeye-catching 9p rate, because that's just their fee and excludes the actual registration fees and VAT, but expect to pay around �6 and that will get you a domain for two years, which you can set up to point to wherever you've got your hosting.

[alexshah]

Yeah.. if a domain name you want is not currently in use, but it is already registered by someone else then you can backorder it. This is called "backorder domain" It's cheap and domain name registration comes free with it. You can visit http://www.hosting3i.com for more info.