Its usually best to select the best “extension” for your web site:
.COM – used for commercial and personal sites
.NET – recommended for companies involved in Internet infrastructure
.ORG – recommended for not-for-profit organizations
An extract from InterNIC
What is the domain name system?
The Domain Name System (DNS) helps users to find their way around the
Internet. Every computer on the Internet has a unique address – just
like a telephone number – which is a rather complicated string of
numbers. It is called its “IP address” (IP stands for “Internet
Protocol”). IP Addresses are hard to remember. The DNS makes using the
Internet easier by allowing a familiar string of letters (the “domain
name”) to be used instead of the arcane IP address. So instead of
typing 207.151.159.3, you can type www.internic.net. It is a “mnemonic”
device that makes addresses easier to remember.
What does it mean to “register” a domain name?
When you register a domain name, you are inserting an entry into a
directory of all the domain names and their corresponding computers on
the Internet.
How do I register a domain name?
Domain names ending with .biz, .com, .info, .name, .net or .org can be
registered through many different companies (known as “registrars”)
that compete with one another.
The registrar you
choose will ask you to provide various contact and technical
information that makes up the registration. The registrar will then
keep records of the contact information and submit the technical
information to a central directory known as the “registry.” This
registry provides other computers on the Internet the information
necessary to send you e-mail or to find your web site. You will also be
required to enter a registration contract with the registrar, which
sets forth the terms under which your registration is accepted and will
be maintained.
How much does it cost?
Registering a new domain can cost from $10 to $50 depending on the extension.