You need to find a domain name provider that will supply all the features you need ? and more, ready for when you eventually work out what to do with your domain.Let's explore what features you may require with your domain name.Make sure the domain is registered in YOUR name

1) As a minimum you want to reserve the domain name for immediate use or for use in the future should you find the time. Well, all domain registrars meet this requirement ? or do they? Well, no they don't. Many domain name providers will register YOUR domain name in THEIR name. How does that work? Well, they just do and so when it comes to having control over your domain name you simply find it is limited ? simply because it isn't really YOUR domain name. Only choose a domain name host that registers the YOUR domain name in YOUR name.

Ensure you have the freedom to choose any web host

2) Once you have your domain name you do not want to be tied to a single host as this could negate any saving you make on your domain name. Besides, you should have the choice right? Well, many domain name providers will NOT allow you to change your domain name servers to point to another host. This would tie you in to using that particular domain provider should you need a Web Hosting account in the future. You need to keep your options open. Only choose a domain provider that allows you FREE and UNLIMITED changes of your domain nameservers. This guarantees that your domain name can be used with any web host without restriction or cost.

Can your domain name point to your free web space?

3) Do you have free webspace provided by your ISP? You probably do, so why buy a hosting package if you already have webspace? Check with your ISP/Broadband Supplier and find out how to upload your new website to your free webspace. So now all you need to do is point your domain name to your free webspace. This usually uses a feature called ?web forwarding?. Ensure that web forwarding is supplied as standard with your domain name, you'd be surprised how many domain name hosts charge extra for this feature.

Is your domain name email enabled?

4) While you are pondering the use of your domain name, wouldn't it be useful to redirect any email sent to your domain name to your everyday email address? This is called email forwarding and again, is often an extra charge on your domain name after you have purchased. Read the small print before your select your domain name host.

So, where do you start?

Find a cheap domain name host that meets the above criteria and you can't go far wrong with your domain purchase.

Should you have difficulty, let me save you some time. Here is a UK based domain name provider that meets all of the above criteria and more?

Once you have your domain name, you can relax. Or can you? Beware not to catch the domainer bug ? you can end up with hundreds of domais, especially when you start monetizing them in their parked state. Now that's another story?.