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     Should You Own the .Com, .Net and .Org for Your Website?   

Domain names are strings of charters that allow Internet users to access websites and other resources without typing in the site's IP address. If you're starting a website, registering your own domain name can make your Web address easier to remember and improve traffic flow. You can't get through the registration process by yourself, however. You need the help of a registrar and major domain-name organizations.

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Registrars
Registrars are private companies that compete with one another to register domains for users. They handle domain names ending in .com, .info, .net and .org, as well as some less common extensions like .aero, .biz, .coop, .museum, .name and .pro. Registrars usually charge a yearly fee for domain registration, but may package multi-year registrations at a lower price. They require some contact information, including your legal name, phone number and address, to complete the registration.

Special Domains
Some special domain types aren't available to ordinary domain registrars. These include domain names ending in two-letter country codes, such as .jp or .uk, which must be registered by designated managers according to the policies of the individual country. Other restricted domains include .edu, intended for post-secondary US educational institutions; .gov, limited to official US government organizations; and .mil, reserved for US military organizations.

Domain Registry
The registrar determines what domain names are available by checking the domain name registry. This database contains a list of all the existing domains and the numbers allocated to them. A Network Information Center, also known as a registry operator, keeps track of the database. When you request a domain registration, the registrar checks the domain registry for conflicts. The registry awards most domains on a first-come, first-served basis, but reserves the rights to reject specific domains on a historical, religious, political, cultural or legal basis.

ICANN
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, or ICANN, administrates the domain registry and accredits registrars. This non-profit corporation helps resolve disputes over specific domain names and ensures that registrars act responsibly. It also coordinates the distribution of IP addresses so that no two users receive the same one.