A domain name identifies a computer called a "nameserver". The name server knows that your domain name correspondin
g to your web hosting server IP address and routes the person who typed in your domain name to your web hosting server - on your site. That is how people everywhere can see your website by typing your domain name.
In 1992 the National Science Foundation an exclusive contract to NSI to be the sole registrar of top level domain names. NSI also had a cooperative agreement with U.S. Department of Commerce ( "DOC"). With no competition, consumers were at the mercy of NSI.
In 1998 the NSI and the DoC their cooperation to allow for competing registrars. NSI was forced to provide domain name competing registrars at wholesale prices, rather than the standard $ 34.99 annual fee. NSI still charges $ 34.99 per year.
In late 1998, awarded the U.S. Department of Commerce is responsible for overseeing the transition to a competitive market for domain names and accreditation of new registrars to a new organization called the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN).
In 1999, ICANN began to applications from companies wishing to become registrars - and then capitalism took over: companies had to compete for business. Prices came down and service improved, but some are better than others.
Even with the positive effects of competition in the domain name marketplace, the process of internet domain registration a mystery to many.
There are plenty of companies that want to charge you hundreds of dollars to do the simple task of registering domain names for you. There is some record companies will charge you $ 35 just to register a domain. And there are web site consultants who charge over $ 100 to do the work for you. But you can even do it in about 15 minutes, and it can cost as little as $ 1.99 a year. If you do some research, learn a little and work smart, you can save some money - and some headaches.
