Where/How to register domain.

[ag_47]

I'm very close to finally launching a project I've been working on for a while now. I'm looking through my hosting options, need some help with the domain name.

When I made my website, I specifically picked a name that's currently available (the .com domain). Now, if everything goes well, I plan to register an actual company and trademark the website/name etc. (ie. go big)
For now its just going to be mysite.com, by itself, to see if I even get any users.

Should I get the domain with whatever hosting company I end up choosing, or pick my own registrar and handle the domain separately?

Many hosting companies offer domain registration when you sign up with them, but I understand they end up owning the domain (which is bad). Would giving them a call the double check this fact be sufficient? (I guess this will also show me how reliable their customer support is, before I actually sign up)
They also offer 'domain protection', where they mask you name with some company. Since I'm not registering a company yet, I don't want my name on WHOIS DB. Do registrars offer this service? Need some more advice on this...

What else should I look for when choosing a host/registrar etc..?

[benevolent001]

Hi , best wishes for your new project

You can just register a domain for $8 or something with some registrar and take up whois privacy almost everyone offer it for free these days

Good luck

[piatkow]

Many hosting companies offer domain registration when you sign up with them, but I understand they end up owning the domain

If they offer the registration as a freebie then they might although I would still consider it a dubious practice. If you explicitly pay for the domain then it should be yours.

There are arguements for and against handling registration separately from hosting. I am agnostic on the matter.

[ag_47]

Thanks benevolent001 and piatkow.
The main reason I don't want to find a separate registrar, is because I'll have to spend time researching them too (on top of researching hosts)
On the other hand, I don't want a host screwing me over with the domain in the future.
I guess the best thing to do is make sure a host gives you full control over the domains you register with them, otherwise find your own registrar or a different host..

The main issue I'm having with finding a host are my requirements I guess. Most of them offer hosting for 'small businesses' and such, with website-building tools, site backups, and all kinds of extras. My website will BE the business, and I'm doing all development/maintenance privately on my computer.. I just need someone to actually have a copy of the site live..