What's a domain name?
A domain name is the technical term for an Internet address, such as www.example.org. When you register a name for a Web site, you are registering the domain name.

The top-level domain (TLD) is the extension, such as .ORG, that is part of every domain name. There are two types of TLDs:

• Generic TLDs: The original generic TLDs were .ORG, .COM, .NET, .EDU, .GOV, .MIL and .INT. Anyone can register a name in the first three domains; the others have limited purposes. In 2000, seven new generic TLDs were introduced. To date, these new TLDs have not been widely used.
• Country code TLDs: These are two-letter TLDs that have been created for more than 240 countries or territories, including .DE for Germany, .UK for the United Kingdom and .US for the United States.

It is not unusual for an organization to register a country code TLD name for national identification and a .ORG domain name for global reach.

How can you register a .ORG domain name?
Step 1: Find an available name.
To see if a domain name is available, look it up in our WHOIS search. Our database contains every .ORG domain name that has been registered. If the domain name you want is available, proceed to step 2. If not, try other variations of the name until you find one that is not already in use.

Step 2: Choose a registrar.
Registrars are the organizations that will help you go through the process of registering your domain name. To find a registrar, view our list of registrars, which also can be viewed by country or by alphabetical order. Each registrar does business across the globe and can register a domain name for you no matter where you live.

Step 3: Follow the registrar's instructions.
Your registrar will help you set up an account, register your .ORG domain name and get the site working.

Find out more about why you should register a .ORG domain name.