In relation to our previous articles, What is a Domain Name and How to Create a Domain Name, the next logical question is, “Where do I actually search for a name after I have some ideas?”

I’m glad you asked!

At the end of the How to Create a Domain Name article I provided the following links to check out:

• http://www.bustaname.com/
• http://www.networksolutions.com/
• http://www.godaddy.com/
• http://www.domainsatcost.ca/

This article will discuss how to search and register domain names with GoDaddy.

To be up front, GoDaddy is the registering and hosting company Trish and I chose to work with. Needless to say, we are quite familiar with at least a few of their services and find it comfortable to work with. We’re sure that as we progress our blog site, we will be using a lot of the site features as mentioned further on.

When we first started out and were trying to choose a domain registering and hosting provider, the recommended vendor seemed too expensive; so we set out to find alternatives. This was a risk for us since the instructions we received to set up our own hosted blog site and websites were specific to the recommended vendor. However, the difference in cost between GoDaddy and the other vendor was quite a bit when you add it up over several names (i.e. other vendor $14.95/domain name vs. GoDaddy @ $10.69/domain as of the writing of this article). We’ve also noted that GoDaddy seems to offer “specials” for domain name registering quite frequently! So the price quoted above for GoDaddy does change for the better.

Thankfully, our benefits with GoDaddy aren’t just cost. The site allows you to search for domain names and provides several alternatives for the Top Level Domains (TLDs). Each time you enter a domain name and perform a search, you will see a whole list of possible options that are also available to you in the event that your chosen name has already been taken. You also have TLDs such as .NAME and .ME to choose from, which I haven’t seen at some of the other sites yet. As you perform each search, GoDaddy will collect up all your available choices at the bottom of the page. This allows you to perform one search after another without having to purchase each single domain, one at a time. Once you’ve completed all your searches, you can select the one domain (or more) from the list you’ve compiled, then go and register them all at the same time. You are given the option of discarding those names that you don’t want.

When you register your domain name choices, you’ll find that it’s pretty straight forward to create an account and add features such as:

• Website Hosting (choice between Linux and Windows), Grid Hosting, Dedicated Hosting, Blog & Podcast Hosting
• E-mail address linked to your domain(s)
• Do It Yourself Building Plans (SmartSpace, Website Tonight, Quick Blogcast, Etc.)
• Extensive Language Support for Python, Microsoft.net, PHP, Java, Etc.
• A bunch of FREE Add-on Applications when you host with GoDaddy such as Google Webmaster Tools, Joomla, Mochila, WordPress Blogging Software load (takes only 5 min – it’s true!), BlogEngine.Net, Etc.

Trish and I really like working with GoDaddy. One of the reasons is that GoDaddy facilitates installations and upgrades of the WordPress blogging software with a click of a button. A couple other reasons are that we can set up multiple e-mail addresses for our domains, and they have a wonderful support team (unusual to find these days!). Their support team is not only helpful but a hoot! (We’re actually thinking of dedicating some posts or a page to our favourite GoDaddy support people.)

One of the things that annoy us about the GoDaddy site is that it’s a great example of a marketing site. If you’re looking for a “role model” site for selling products, GoDaddy has it. However, as a service provider, the Marketing “look and feel” of the site can also make the site seem very cluttered and confusing. Not a good combination for a service provider. Although, we have to admit, the current version they have now is a lot better from the version we started out with in the summer of 2008.

Another pet peeve is they change up the site and the steps it takes to start or manage your account quite often. Just when you think you finally remember where to find certain options on the site and how to configure them, the site changes and you have to start over again. These changes can get a bit old if you’re visiting often but it does keep the site fresh looking and it keeps us on our toes. We realize that these changes are making the site more user friendly!

Cheers!