Best method of buying a domain name?

Some domain registrars have a nasty habit of buying the domain as soon as you check if it's available. Then you have to pay a "surcharge" to buy it off them.

Have a look here and see what you think of their pricing:

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https://uk.godaddy.com/

And they won't rip you off.

Many thanks, Gallivanter.

I may have shot myself in the foot as I did check their availability.  Damn!

How much does godaddy charge to buy a dotcom, sir?  I just want to stop anyone else buying it at present, so don't need any services just yet.  Also, when you purchase through GD do you ultimately own the name, or them?  Would there be a problem if I wanted to move the domain name to another provider?

No idea about potential complications, but I have used this company, have had no issues and they are cheaper than what you are paying.
I use 100webspace, though liquidnet appear to be the parent company for this site and duoservers.

https://www.100webspace.com/
http://liquidnetltd.net/domain-name-registration/
http://duoservers.co.uk/register-a-domain/.com/

This is what I paid this time last year. I presume you can pay for the domain name alone without a website for $10 per year (+ VAT)

Order Details:
==================================================================
12 Month(s) @ 2.95USD = 35.40 USD for plan renewal Personal package
12 Month(s) @ 0.83USD = 10.00 USD for domain renewal smashiton.com

Amount          45.40 USD
VAT 20.00%      9.08 USD
                -------------
Total           54.48 USD

I use Net Energy to purchase my three existing names.  If I type in the domain names to Whois my own name and address is listed.  I like the fact I am listed as the owner and not Net Energy.  Would this be the same with GD do you know, gentlemen?

Many thanks, SJ.  Much appreciated, sir

I sent you a message

PM, GoDaddy has a sale on at the moment.

£0.99 for the first year and £10.99 for each following year. Minimum of two years. I don't know if that includes Vat. There's no need to buy anything else.

The domain would be registered to you and your details would appear on a whois search. (You have to pay extra if you want to be private.)

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https://uk.godaddy.com/

I should get commission off them...

Cheers, Gallivanter.  Very useful, sir.

I use 123-reg.co.uk and I pay for private, I'm happy with their hosting service but why pay for the domain name now? If it's a unique domain name then why has no-one else thought about it?

The purpose of buying the domain now isn't just to secure it. Buy it as soon as you are sure on the name. Age of the domain counts. And you can put some stuff up about your business so that Mr. Google knows you well enough by the time you start serious work. This was a huge factor about 5 years ago but I am not into these things now so can't confirm if this is 100% true. But I would buy the domains now for SEO purposes.

Since you are buying the domain just to secure it, take the cheapest offer. Godaddy is 'always' giving out domains for 99 cents for the first year(and you dont have to register it for 2 years like someone pointed out). Ive bought many domains for 99 cents and then never renewed them.

I've had a domain name since March (www.loomknitting.co.uk) and have done nothing with it. In total 50 people have visited, mostly spammers leaving comments like "try viagra". I know it takes Google a while to find your site but don't think buying for SEO reasons is reason enough to spend money.

On another note, is there any good quick Wordpress guides out there? I've another site that needs a lot of work even though I've been blogging on it for months. I'm not promoting it (as it sucks) but SEO isn't getting me any traffic.

£50 per domain ?   

If so, you're being royally ripped off. Godaddy, Reg123, etc all reliable brokers, and much cheaper.