Registering a domain name is the first step in creating your website. That process takes place at a registrar, like Gandi for example. A domain name's cost includes several additional services: at Gandi, the price of your domain name includes 2 email accounts with 3 GB of storage, an SSL certificate, and 24/7 support. There are two possibilities from there: either your domain name is available and you can register it or the domain name has already been registered by someone else and you'll need to try to contact them if you want to buy it. This option is generally more expensive. The whois allows you to learn more about who owns a domain.