Actually it was pretty easy. Find a domain name registrar and:
- Tell them the desired domain name (annetteandray)
- Tell them the desired top level domain (.com)
- They’ll check to see if it’s available and offer alternatives (annetteandray.net, annetteandray.us, etc)
- Sign up and give them money
- Receive the name for a year.
Some web hosts offer a free domain name if you sign up for a hosting package. However, as a personal preference, I keep the domain name registrar and web host separate. This allows me to more easily change web hosts if necessary for better pricing/service issues. You can read more about it: Easy Site Guide.
I chose NameCheap for its good reputation amongst people who develop/manage websites or flip domain names for a living. GoDaddy has them beat with really good specials (costing ~$3), but I’ve heard enough mixed opinions about GoDaddy that I simply dropped them from consideration. I didn’t want any issues since I was also registering FeedForwardFeed.com as a birthday present for a friend. It costs about $13/year per domain after fees.
For those interested in registering a domain name, I found thesitewizard.com to be a good resource outlining the process.