How to purchase a domain name

Domain names or website addresses, such as google.com or yahoo.com, are available for purchase from many website services or registrars. While of course the names mentioned above are far from available, there are countless website addresses that can be purchased, often whether they are already owned or not.
A domain name will give your website a unique identity, and sometimes (though nowadays not quite as likely) affect the success of your site. Once you purchase a name, and build a brand around it, it is yours to use until you choose not to renew it.