Having a real domain name for your portfolio or personal art web site is important. It helps create a professional and trustworthy appearance. Registering your own domain name is a simple process that anyone can do. This guide will walk you through the process.
In this guide we are using GoDaddy.com as our Registrar. We’ve found them to be inexpensive, reliable, and easy to use. However, you can use any Registrar you wish to register your domain name. A list of other Registrars is posted at the end of this guide.
1) Get Started
Visit www.GoDaddy.com and type in the domain name you wish to register. For our purposes, we will be registering the fictitious name “Artworkorama.com”.
2) Choose your Domain Name
Type your desired domain name in the domain name search box and select the TLD (top level domain) extension (.com, .net, etc). from the drop down menu. Click GO to see if your domain name is available. When typing in your desired domain name, do not add the prefix (www) or suffix (.com).
Tip: Be sure to double check the spelling of your domain name! Once a domain name is registered it cannot be changed.
3) Domain Availability
If your domain name has not already been taken, it will say the domain is available. In our case, “artworkorama.com” is available. The other TLDs that are available will be listed as well, along with their price. We will select the .com and .net TLDs for our domain.
When you have made your selections, click on the CONTINUE button.Tip: Registering the other TLDs (.net, .org, .info, etc) means your competition can’t get them!
*If your domain name is not available, it will say “yourdomainname.com is already taken” and it will list other TLDs that may be available. It will also suggest other names based on your desired domain name. If a different TLD is available, or if you see a suggested domain name you like, select it and press continue.
4) Other Available TLDs
This next screen lets you know of other available TLDs for your domain that you did not select and gives you one last opportunity to add them to your order.
Choose either “YES! Add these to my order” or “No thanks. Continue to checkout.
