Okay let's take a look at the difference between public and private registration options. We will look at both in terms of visibility, use and cost. Starting with visibility, when you register a domain name the information you use is listed in a global phone book online for anyone to see. It's called the world-wide WHOIS Database. This is similar to a phone book that list among other things your name, address and phone number. This WHOIS information is required as part of the registration process and becomes public as soon as you complete the domain registration application. A private domain registration is designed to mask your personal or business information from public view. Meaning you decide whether to be transparent or visible to the world, both on a business or personal level. When you use our service Domains By Proxy to register a private domain, your information is kept from public view. Domains By Proxy is listed in the WHOIS Database as the Registrant, Administrative and Technical Contacts. To better understand how this works, let's look inside a Domains By Proxy Private Domain Registration listing. So there you have it, now you know the difference between these two domain registration options.

Now that you know the difference between public and private registration it's time to consider how you will use your new domain name. If you intend to start a new business and you want to have a Web presence, then you might want to simply use the default registration and go public. Think of it like this - would you open a business and close your doors so that your customers could not find you, of course you wouldn't. In this case you would simply open shop in your business name using all your business information with normal business hours posted and invite your customers in for business. It's no different online if you are a brick and mortar business. You may even register your name if it's available and use it for personal use if you like. Whether or not you decide to keep your information private is entirely up to you.

Some of you may work from your home and you don't want your home address, listed in the Whois Database for the world to see, and that is completely understandable. Private domain registration may be the right answer for you. Some may want to register a domain name solely for personal use, and your personal information is no one else's business. This would be another instance where a private registration is the way to go. There are many reasons both in favor of and against the use of one's information in a Whois listing. So how and why you intend to use your new domain name may be a good starting point in determining the right type domain registration for you.

There is no difference in use for both Public and Private registration on the Web. Either way you still have complete control of your domain name. You can even cancel the privacy feature at anytime and your information immediately becomes public.

The cost to register a new .com domain name is $8.99/yr.* plus the cost of privacy. We are currently offering a special rate of $1.95/yr on the first private registration year. When you register 5 or more domains at the same time you get Free private registration.