So basically I'm looking to register a particular domain name (probably a .com or .net) for a personal website, and the one I want is available, but I would like some advice on selecting a domain name registrar. I want to register my domain for around 5 years.

I have more or less narrowed my search down to Network Solutions or GoDaddy. The latter is cheaper but the former appears to be more professional and less inclined to throw me pop-ups and annoying pages trying to get me to buy more. GoDaddy's website looks like 100 info-mercials going on at once, but if they do a good job anyway, I guess it's worth saving some money.

Any personal experience with either of these services or even others? Any input is greatly appreciated!

Thanks.

If you want cheap use GoDaddy.com

We use http://www.000domains.com mostly due to the admin as we manage quite a few different domains.

I've heard horror stories about Go Daddy. Personally, I haven't had any trouble, holding a few dozen domains with them for awhile now. I haven't had any real reason to switch.

NetSol is pretty evil in their own right (http://blog.domaintools.com/2008/01/network-solutions-steals-domain-ideas-confirmed/). I wouldn't pick them over Go Daddy just because their website seems more professional. You're probably only going to use their site once a year or so (unless you host with your registrar, which I would recommend against).

After some random Googling and reading these posts I decided to go with GoDaddy. My personal site will at most be just some sort of blog and random other things for me so I don't need much in terms of constant service or anything.

I paid the extra dough for the private registration though. My total for 5 years + private registration was in the $70'ish range.

Thanks for your input!

Now, how about suggestions for web space/hosting? I think I have a little bit of space with Comcast... is it possible for me to use my domain name with it?

I personally prefer EasyDNS. Sure, they're not the cheapest, but if you want an honest, reliable registrar with wonderful DNS coverage, they're the ones. A lot of registrars will cheat you after your domain expires or whatever--I've found EasyDNS to never err in the wrong side of this.

Web hosting we use Hostasaurus and I also have a dedicated server at Apollo Hosting. Hostasaurus is by far the superior with support that equals or exceeds the support given by RackSpace.

Just went to check out Hostasaurus, but is this a good option for just a personal web site? I can't clearly make out what their cheaper plan is. Is it the $6.50/month one? It seems like they provide a large amount of features. Frontpage extensions are a plus for me since my web building skills are pretty gimped these days.

For what it's worth, midPhase has been my favorite host out of the ones I've worked with. However, I don't know that they would be especially good for entry level stuff.

If you're just planning on running a blog, you might consider using WordPress.com (they allow you to use your own domain, if you have one), and save yourself all the extra trouble.

Thanks for the suggestion; I'll look into that.

It may start out as a run-of-the-mill blog I suppose, but I plan or at least want to expand into an all-about-everyhing-me kinda site, but until I brush up on web building skills (is HTML still the main thing these days?) I'll go simple.

Also I use Office 2007 and they killed eliminated Frontpage from the line-up for good so I'm stuck with Word or Publisher for a simple site builder option.

Are there any other good WYSIWYG web builder programs out there that can pump out .htm files that I can simply publish to webspace once I find a hosting option?

I have always heard good things about Dreamweaver, but the demo I tried a few years ago confused the heck out of me and from what I can remember it wasn't WYSIWYG.

Dreamweaver is fine, if you want to do it yourself. I use that sometimes, myself. Its integrated site/FTP functionality comes in handy too.

You might really want to take a look at the hosted CMS services though. Using "Pages", you can add a lot of non-blog type content to a WordPress "blog". A good CMS can free you up to focus on doing what you want to do, instead of the details of being able to do it.

All right I started a WordPress account. Took a look around and I like what they have to offer (and they don't force much if any advertising).

Thanks for the advice Sanchek. This will do me well for now. I have my domain directed directly to the blog too for a more pro feel ;).