I have heard complaints from some people that the companies they register their domain names though as well as host with from the start up, do not release the domain redirect information to a different company for up to 21 days from the day you request it done.
So if for instance you sign up with a hosting site, and have them register your name as well. Then decide after say 30 days that they are lousy web hosts, so you decide to change your web hosting site.
You then get a new hosting site, and you have to have your domain ID number "redirected" to that new hosting site. If they are nasty about you leaving, and they control the Actual Controls that change your web domain address, they can dork you around for a couple of weeks before the new host can change you over.
I used twocows.com to register my domain with years ago, they were competitive in price, and I renew now every 3 to 5 years..depending on the going rates at the time, for about $15 a year. But for that $15, I can also "park my domain there", if I am not hosting a site else where, (and use their email servers to forward my email to me if I change web hosts, and not lose any email in the transition.)
I also maintain total control over my domain steering functions, and I simply do not allow ANY web host the control over this function. It IS easier to allow them to do all the work of assigning the address for you, to redirect your web traffic to your new site with THEM, etc..but if you have a dispute with them, they can NOT tie up your "redirect function" if you control it yourself.
Bottom line, there are a great number of reliable web hosts around these days that allow you up to 30 days of free service, or offer a total money back guarantee if you are not satisfied with their service in the first 30 days. (Some try to charge you a "set up fee" that is usually NOT refundable if you dont like their service after the first 30 days is up. I would pass on those.) There are to many around today that will set up everything you need for no charge, and only charge you the fixed monthly hosting fee.
You will run into a question of TRAFFIC to your site as well, how much bandwidth you will NEED for all the viewers downloading images or information from your site. My advice is to start out small, (the over use charges are usually pretty small,) and MOST never use more than the base amount of allotted traffic anyway.
Plus, if you dont mind putting up with pop up ads, there are many TOTALLY FREE web hosts around today as well. I dont like pop up ads, so I pay for my web site space just for that reason alone. Plus I find a web host you pay for to be more reliable with keeping your site up and running, and if you run a business on line, that is usually your #1 concern.
As others have suggested, shop around. I would not pay more than $20 US to register a domain name these days. Godaddy is a highly recommended listing service, and one recommended by TechTV as well. They are usually a good source of information in this kind of matter too. This is a link to their How To section, from there you can find about anything you need to know on their site. Just use their search engine, it is a very useful web site for many things.
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There are also web sites on the net that RATE web hosting companies, you may wish to check into those as well. I know this is more information than you requested, but I thought some others might benefit from some of the other information as well.
Good luck,<smile>
Gary~*