Whether you want to get an internet domain name for a new hobby site or online business, or to reserve your own given name as a dot com, the process is fast and easy.

Right at the start, decide on the domain name you want. Most of the majority of the internet domain services, like Godaddy, have various tools which you can use. You type in any domain name, and they will tell you if the domain name is registered already or not. If it is still free, you can register it. If it is already taken by another person, then the registration service will offer you varieties of the name to consider, or you could think about using other suffixes, like .net, .org or even .mobi.

While .com domain names are still the most familiar and most common, the number of visitors you will get to your new internet domain depends on your web promotion efforts and will have little to do with the domain suffix, so don't be to worried if you cannot get the .com suffix of the domain name you wanted.

Assuming you have found the name you like, and it is not already taken by someone else, what do you do next?

Having used a site like Godaddy, and having performed the search for a name and established that it is not already taken, you will then click on a 'Proceed to Checkout' button or a similar option.

Next you will decide on the number of years you want to register the domain for – from a minimum of one to 10 years. If you have exciting ideas for the domain name, or want it as an investment, go for a longer period. If the registered domain is just for your indulgence, choose a shorter time.

Now, you have to enter your name and email contact details. If the domain is for a company, you will also insert the company name. This information is used for the internet domain registration – the domain name is recorded as legally yours, for the length of time you have registered it for. Officially, you become the 'registrant' of the domain name, and no-one else can own it.

Next, you can choose whether your registration is to be a public or a private one. A public registration will mean that anyone using anything like theWhois lookup service has the ability to look up the domain name and see your name and details. While planning the web site you are going to create, you may consider paying the small additional charge for a private registration which conceals your details will be worth it to avoid spam or prying eyes.

Having taken your decision, you can give your credit card or Paypal details, agree to the payment amount, and the domain becomes yours, for the period of years you have selected. The top registrars like Godaddy will remind you, using the contact details you registered with, when the time arrives to renew the registration of the domain.

You really can register a new domain as easily as that!

Now ready to buy your new domain name, or just see if the name you want is still available? Go here - domain name registration - where we recommend the service we use. Good luck!