Domain name registration services:
a) www.networksolutions.com
Offer domain names free with purchase of annual Web Site, Web hosting or E-Commerce packages.
b) www.register.com
Offer professional Website packages, including the design, hosting, e-mail and free domain.
ISPs offering domain name registration services
a) www.mweb.co.za
Offer local domain registration at a once off fee of R137,00.
International domain registration at a once off fee of R342,00.
c) www.imaginet.co.za
Offers free registration or transfer when purchasing a “business website bundleâ€.
To whom does the registration fee go?
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN at www.icann.org).
ICANN provides guidelines for the use of domain names. When a client registers a URL/ domain name with an independent registar or ISP, the institution is accredited by ICANN.
In many of my findings the service of registering a domain name and subdomains, seem to be free of charge. However, the client is in fact paying for this domain name, as the cost is accounted for in the price when purchasing specific packages, presented by the registar or ISP. In general, when registering a domain name, it is the cheaper option to register a local domain (.co.za), and more expensive for an international domain (.com). Domain names are registered over a period of 24 months. Thereafter the client has to renew the contract, (in many cases this happens automatically on an annual basis) or the domain name will be terminated and made available for re-registrations to the public, or any other institution.
