How The Heck Do I...

register a domain at GoDaddy?

It can be confusing for a first-timer to register a domain name. GoDaddy is actually an excellent place to manage your domain name (you can easily point it to wherever you host your website later)... but they offer so many options it can be hard to figure out what to do. Here's the simple way to register your domain name...

Click on the main domains link on their home page.

Step 2. Type in the name you want to see if it is available.

(If you want your own name, you might find that someone else who has the same name has already registered it.) You do not have to enter either www. OR the .com - that is already done for you. If you want an extension that is different to .com, click on the 'down' arrow beside the .com.

Just type in the name, without spaces, as I have done here.

Step 3. What you see if the name is NOT available...

I deliberately typed in 'margmcalister' because I know it is already taken. This is what I see:

Under 'your search results' GoDaddy informs me that this name is already taken. If I want to know who has it, I can click on a link next to it for information. I also have the option of backordering the name if someone else has it. (If they let it lapse, GoDaddy will let me know.)

I am also offered a whole stack of other domain name choices that are related to my own name, if I want to take one of those. For example, I could chooe 'MargMcalisterOnline" or "MargMcAlisterSite". I could also have my own name with a '.biz' or a '.net' extension instead of .com. These are all options you can take up if you really want your own name, and the .com is taken. If you want one of these, click the box beside it.

Step 4. To do another search...

I can look underneath the box and there is the search field again. This time I type in another name: "JaneWriter". (Just type it all in lower case, no spaces.) I click 'search'.

Step 5. Name Available!!!

I find that www.janewriter.com IS available, at a cost of $8.95 a year. GoDaddy is eager to get me to spend more money, though... so I am offered a range of other names I might like to consider as well. I suggest you leave these for now. Just click on the 'continue' button without checking any of these.

Step 6. Go to the checkout... (through the jungle...)

At this stage, GoDaddy will offer you MORE domains at a good price. It's up to you whether you take these up, but I suggest you just stick to one at this stage and keep going. Of course the 'yes, add these to my order' button is big and green and obvious, and the little 'no thanks, continue to checkout' link is in small letters beside it. Forgive GoDaddy... they do such a good job of managing your domains you can overlook this. Just click on the itty-bitty 'continue to checkout' link and keep going... 

Step 7. Fill in your information

This is the regular part where you fill in all the stuff about where you live etc. You have to fill this in accurately and truthfully, because accurate contact information about the owner of a domain is a legal requirement. You will notice, as we go on, that I have made up contact information for the mythical 'Jane Writer', but that is because I'm not going to continue with this purchase. It's all for demonstration purposes...

[Note: you'll notice, if you look closely, that there is a 'welcome back Margaret' notice here. That's because I'm a regular client of GoDaddy. You will have this next time you come, because you will be given an account number. Keep this safe.)

Step 8. Save your information and continue (more hacking through the jungle...)

At this point GoDaddy shows you what you have entered. If it all looks correct, click 'continue' and move on.

Step 9. Checkout Options. We're nearly there now...

Here GoDaddy show you what your final checkout bill will look like. This is your chance to change anything. I'll go through it step by step:

1. The default domain registration is for 2 years. This puts your pricing up to double the $8.95. If you want to keep your domain name forever, you can choose the longest period you like. If you want to just register for one year, the cheapest option, click the box next to the '2 year' option and change it back to 1 year.
    

2. The default is set to auto renewal each year. This means that GoDaddy will automatically renew your domain name for you, using the same credit card, each year. If you want this to happen so you don't forget, leave it on 'auto'. They will, however, send you a reminder (several reminders) well ahead of time, so you can click 'Manual' if you like. (You will have a link to click in the reminder notice.)
    

3. Notice that next to no. 3 below, there is an option to set the nameservers yourself if you are hosting your domain (your website) somewhere other than GoDaddy. If you just want to register your domain name at this stage, leave this alone. GoDaddy will 'park' your domain (keep it safe for you) while you decide where and when to set up your website. (See the note below this step.)
    

4. Select your type of registration. Just leave it set on 'standard'. You can change this later.
    

5. Choose your checkout preference. I'm assuming you don't want to read all about the exclusive offers blah blah blah. We're just looking at registering a domain name. Click on "quick checkout", then on 'CONTINUE'.

NOTE: What your domain will look like if it's "parked" at GoDaddy:

When you type in your domain name - in my case, www.margaretmcalister.com - you are taken to the GoDaddy site, where you will see your domain name and a note that it is parked free, courtesy of GoDaddy. It may take a few hours or a few days for you to be able to 'see' your domain. It takes a while to go through the system.

Step 10. Getting closer to the checkout ....

You click on 'continue'. But GoDaddy may still want to suggest more... don't worry about private registration. Mostly, it's not necessary. Just click on 'continue to checkout'.... 

Step 11. Check the final details

Okay, here's your chance to change anything you don't like, or fix any mistakes. I changed my domain registration period from two years to one (see step 9) so...

1.  I see that now, the domain janewriter.com is ready to be registered to me for one year at a total of $9.20 which includes the ICANN fee. That sounds fine to me, so...
    

2. I go ahead and click my payment method (credit card, check or PayPal).
    

3. Then (don't miss this step or you'll be sent back) check the two boxes indicating that you have read the domain registration agreement and the terms of service.
    

4. Click 'checkout now'.

Step 12. Your payment is processed.

I'm not showing this, because I don't really want the "janewriter.com" domain name, and all the details I filled in were made up! But once you click here, the work is all done. You will get an email confirming that you have paid for your domain name.

Congratulations!

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