A domain is a location on the Internet and is part of every internet address. For example, in ‘www.gmu.edu’ ‘gmu’ is the domain and ‘.edu’ is the top-level domain.

Getting Started:

1. Go to Reclaim Hosting: https://reclaimhosting.com
2. Click on Sign Up and select the Personal option ($30/year for hosting and $15 for domain registration = $45).

Selecting your Domain Name:

1. Enter the domain name you would like to use in the box next to “www.”
  - You can try some form of your name, such as: first and last, first name, middle initial and last name; or some variation.
    - Why your name? If you don’t own it, someone else might/will. It is the most obvious name for your domain, and one that can be used for a variety of projects.
  - If privacy is a concern, you can choose another name, but remember to keep it professional.
2. Click on the triangle next to “.com” to view a dropdown of top-level domains to choose from.
  - We tend to favor .org or .net
  - Some of the other options are not available to people living in the US.
  - I recommend that you do NOT use .com. Although .com is not limited to commercial enterprises or businesses, many people think it is, which could cause you problems.
3. Click Check Availability to see if the domain is available.
  - You may need to try several options before you find one that is available
  - Try changing the top-level domain (.org, .net, etc) before you change the domain name.
  - When you have found an available domain, click Continue.
  - You do not need to select ID protection in the next screen—just click Continue.
Registration and Payment:
- Enter your details and payment information to complete the order.
- Make sure you record the password that you use.
- Once you have completed your order, check your email for a transaction receipt and an email with your new account information. Make sure you keep that email.

Setting Up a Domain with Reclaim Hosting