More then ten years ago getting your domain name registered and hosted on the internet, was difficult and expensive, compared to what we are experiencing in 2006.
The only thing you need is access to the internet, and you can register as many domain names as you like in a few minutes time.
Selecting a domain name hosting company, for your domain names however can take some time.
You have to do a little research on different companies, until you find the one that you feel comfortable with.
If, in case you do not know where to start, you could also consult webhost comparison sites, to help you select a domain name host.
Another way to get info on domain name hosting companies are newsgroups, or forums dealing with the topic.
There is a big difference in webhosts, from small to very big companies, from companies offering all services to companies offering a limited number of services.
A number of companies are reselling webhosting services from multinational companies, which allows them to offer very competitive pricing, compared to big companies, since they often have only a few employees, or are managed by one person only.
When it comes to the price you pay for your domain name, you will often pay less, when you buy from one of these smaller resellers.