Are you looking to buy a domain name but don’t know where to start? Well, this guide is for you. We outline the steps you need to take to buy a domain name and register it with the appropriate authorities.
Besides, you will also get tips on how to choose the perfect domain name for your online business, steps to buying a perfect domain name, types of domain names, how to protect it, etc.
So whether you’re a beginner or an experienced business owner, read on to learn everything you need to know about buying a domain name and registering it with the concerned authorities.
We will also provide some advice to help make the process as easy and hassle-free as possible.
What is a domain name?
A domain name is a unique identification of a website. It also functions as a digital address that can be used by web browsers to access the website.
It is typically purchased through a Registrar and then transferred to the website’s owner. It is important to choose a domain name that is memorable, relevant, and easy to spell.
Selecting a domain name with the appropriate spelling can be especially difficult because you will undoubtedly encounter hundreds if not thousands of other people trying to buy those names.
A domain official website address is generated once your web hosting service has registered and assigned an ‘A record’ (the IP address) or MX record (mail-forward URL).
Domains are not like individual URLs but instead consist of multiple authority levels: root domains, top-level domains, subdomains, internet service providers (ISPs), country code domains, etcetera.
Important root-level domain name categories include “com” (for general corporations), “net”, “.org”, and many more top-level domain names.
Domain name- IP Address
Every website on the internet has an IP address. These addresses point to a website’s location in cyberspace and are determined as the IP address of its ISP.
Domain names also point to a website’s location in cyberspace, but they have traditionally functioned just like email addresses with any number of different business enterprises using them for their own websites or operating within that space.
Sometime around 2003 most businesses began using DNS Hosting (DNS) servers which translate ICANN-created domain names into unique IP addresses by means of a DNS server.
When someone types a domain into a browser, the browser uses a DNS server to translate the domain name into an IP address. Then, the browser grabs the data for that website from the DNS server and delivers it to the user.
Unfortunately, trying to remember all of those numbers in order to navigate a website can be challenging for the human brain. That’s exactly where domain names step in and lend a helping hand.
A structure called the Domain Name System (DNS) translates those IP addresses into names that are easy to remember. Those names are exactly what we called now domain names.
For example, if you wanted to go to the website for Wills Corporation, you might type in “willscorp.com” into your browser’s address bar.
Your computer would then go through the DNS servers and translate that IP address (say 123.456.789.123) into the corresponding domain name (“willscorp.”).
How Does Domain Name Registration Work?
What is a registrar? You might be wondering.
Well, a registrar is an organization accredited by ICANN (The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers)—the governing body that oversees the issuing of domain names—to issue domain names.
In other words, they are the ones who oversee all those .coms, .net, .orgs, and everything in between.
You might have decided to register yourself to give a name your domain and extension after careful consideration.
But you first need to go to a registrar’s website where you have to search for the availability of your desired name and purchase only if it’s available.
On most sites, the process is easy! When you visit a registrar’s website, you’ll usually see a search bar directly on its homepage. For instance, Namecheap.
There, you can type in the domain name you want to register—with or without a top-level domain (TLD), such as .com or .org—and click “search.”
If the domain is available for purchase, you should be able to select it from the list of results and add it to your cart.
Most registrars offer similar pricing but may have different options for how many years you would like to purchase your domain for at once.
Usually, when registering for a domain name, you should be able to lock it down for at least a year.
You will also likely be presented with optional services that you can add on, like web hosting as well as other products and services like private registration.
Once satisfied you’ll have to pay a yearly fee to keep your domain. We’ll discuss more later.
Domain name structure
To register any kind of domain name, you need to decide on the four main components (actually three) of the domain name: The prefix, the name, the extension, and the TLD.
- Prefix: This is actually an internet protocol and there are two types: HTTP and HTTPS.
Let’s explain briefly the story behind them:
The first one is HTTP—which stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol—which is actually a type of internet protocol. You can think of it as the set of rules and guidelines that define how information is transferred over the internet.
The thing is, it’s not actually a stand-alone protocol. It’s one part of the Internet Protocol Suite, which is just a group of protocols (or rules) that create the framework for network communications on the web.
HTTP is basically responsible for providing a way for different kinds of data to be exchanged between applications and servers that use it. For example, when you’re using your web browser to search through Google, your computer is specifically using HTTP to ask the server where Google is hosted to send back the information you requested.
It’s also important to note that HTTP isn’t a secure protocol, which means that if someone was able to access your computer while you were using it to search through Google, they’d be able to see what you were looking at. That’s why HTTPS exists (S – secured) —to encrypt your information and make sure it stays safe while being transmitted over an insecure connection like HTTP. I hope I made it clear, probably.
Hostname: This indicates a website which is usually “www”. It stands for the worldwide web.
Second Level Domains (SLDs): a string of characters that represent your brand. For example, “willsblogger”
Top-Level Domain (TLD): It’s also commonly known as an extension. They are .com, .net, .io, .org, .gov, etc.
Each of these components is important in order to make sure your domain name is registered and recognized by search engines.
Choosing the right combination of these components will help you register a domain name that is easily understood and can be found quickly by potential customers.
Let’s try to understand more about the types of domains, especially SLD and TLD below.
Types of Domains
As per the statistic available at Verisign, there were over 341 million registered domains across all TLDs at the end of 2021.
Image source: Verisign
You need to understand the anatomy of a domain in order to make the best choice, there are two things that you should be aware of – a Second-Level Domain (SLD) and a Top-Level Domain (TLD).
Second-Level Domains (SLDs)
What is SLD? Well, your SLD is the unique name that you choose to represent your brand. An SLD is a domain name like www.yourwebsite.com is the italicized part “yourwebsite“.
A nice one that doesn’t sound generic is what you really want when it comes to choosing a memorable website name.
You’ll never forget it because it’s the part that people will remember the most.
In an address, a domain (SLD) appears just to the left of the dot (e.g. in willsblogger.com, “willsblogger” is the SLD).
You can include as many special characters, letters, and numbers as you want, you have the exclusive choice to name it as you want.
But the question is – whether it’s easy to remember for others. Hence, it’s best to keep them short and easy to remember.
Don’t worry! You’ll learn more about how to choose a domain name, its importance, and so on after a while. Now, let’s first see what TLD is all about.
Top-Level Domains (TLDs)
TLDs are also called domain extensions because they’re the series of letters that are extended to the right side of your SLD.
You still remember that in our above example, we said “.com” is the Top Level Domain (TLD), and its also commonly expressed as a domain extension, right?
You might have heard that science is progressive. Similarly, there were few TLDs at the beginning, and as time progressed there emerge/evolve more TLDs.
There are tons of TLDs, but let’s see some of the most popular ones:
- .com: Pronounce as “dot com”. It’s derived from the word “commercial,” and it’s also the first TLD launched. It was initially intended for businesses and commercial use only, but today any person including me can use it for anything such as a personal blog.
- .net(network): Pronounced as “dot net”. Again, the name itself is derived from the word “Network”. It was initially meant for only technology organizations, but now, anybody who does not get the “dot com” version simply chooses it.
- .org (organization) – pronounced as “dot org” was initially developed for nonprofit organizations. But nowadays, any company or even a profit enterprise uses it.
- .edu(education): You know how to pronounce, right? This TLD was created for any educational institution including colleges and universities. What about others here? If you know it, please leave a comment.
- .gov(government): This was initially created strictly for U.S. government agency use, but every government irrespective of the country uses it.
- .mil (military): this extension was developed solely for use by the U.S. military. True?
- .me (personal): This TLD/extension is a great choice for personal sites like blogs. Do you know anybody using this extension? Please leave a comment for this and the above one.
- .in (India).us (USA), .ca (Canada), .uk(united kingdom), etc. These TLDs are country base extensions. It’s a good choice for websites that represent local businesses. You can use these types if your potential traffics are from your own country.
More Domain Extensions than you imagine
There are also TLDs for different niche domains like .ninja, .coffee, and .cheap which are not much recommended to use by experts due to various reasons.
If you’re looking for a domain extension, you should shop around and make sure you get the one that works best for your business.
There are over 1500 TLDs (AKA domain extensions) to choose from and the list continues to grow.
For the best blog SEO and blog marketing impact, you’ll want to consider getting a .com for your brand. It’s one of the most popular TLDs and has authority around the world.
With a .com domain extension, you can have your company name as your website. Other extensions may allow you to use more words (like .Net or .club), but often these aren’t as authoritative as a .com.
Now, let’s talk about the importance of domain names…
Why buy a domain name?
In the online world, your domain name is like your personal address. It’s how people find you, and it’s a huge part of your brand.
Picking the right one is crucial—which is why we’re here to help you with some of our best tips for finding the perfect domain name.
Your domain name isn’t just there so people can find you—it’s also an opportunity to strengthen your brand. We know that sounds corny (and maybe a little intimidating), but stick with us for a sec.
Think about it this way: if your domain name is [example], that means every time someone sees it or hears it, they’re reminded of what you do and who you are as a business and a brand. And that’s important.
Good branding helps people identify and remember you, which in turn helps them want to connect with you more often (and remember to share your amazing content with them).
How Much Does a Domain Name Cost?
The cost of domain names varies depending on the kind and popularity of the domain. You may have to register a domain with a domain registrar, like Namecheap or GoDaddy before you can get it added to your hosting account so it’s accessible by the public.
You can expect to pay $12-$15 per year for domain name registration but make sure you read the reviews and see what others are saying before making a purchase.
Some web hosting services provide you with a domain name for free or are offered at such a low price that you could register multiple domains.
For example, Bluehost already includes a free domain including a free SSL Certificate for 1 year with their shared hosting.
Anyone can purchase a domain name but if you want to get your website built as soon as possible, it’s a good idea to reserve a domain before you start building your site.
Your domain name is your brand’s online home, so you’re going to want it to be perfect. But before you build it, make sure your domain name is available.
After all, we can help you choose a great hosting plan as well that fits your needs—from big brands with popular names to startups and blogs.
4 Points to remember when you Buy a Domain Name?
When it comes to choosing a domain name, you want to pick something that will make your brand stand out.
But finding the perfect name isn’t always easy. You may have trouble brainstorming ideas or run into domain names that have already been taken.
Domain names play a key role in your online presence, so it’s critical to choose one that suits your company.
The perfect domain name can be hard to find, however. Fortunately, there are several things you can do to make the process a bit easier.
Start by brainstorming possible domain names. Think about what you want your domain name to say about your business. The right domain name should describe your business accurately and reflect your brand identity.
Consider using keywords in your domain name if they fit naturally into the name and if they help people understand what your site is all about. If your business is local, consider using your location in the domain name as well.
Once you have a few ideas, it’s time to start checking availability. Domain names must be unique—no two sites can have the same domain name—so look for one that hasn’t been taken already.
You can check the availability of any domain name on the Namecheap website by searching for it in the search bar at the top of the page or on their homepage.
If you’re having issues deciding on a domain name, these tips can help you land on one that will resonate with your customers and help you build a successful online business.
Choosing a domain name is a big deal, but unfortunately, this can be easier said than done. So, try to follow the following four important points for your benefit:
1. Your Domain Name Should Be Relevant
Domain names are like street addresses. When you’re looking for a specific place—a matching set of coffee tables, let’s say—you want the address to be relevant to what you’re looking for. The same is true with domains.
There are a lot of things to consider when choosing a domain name, but the first—and most important—thing to think about is relevance as we said.
Your domain name should be relevant to your brand, industry, and target audience. This will make it much easier for people to remember and find your website.
2. Your Domain Name Should Be Memorable
You also want your domain name to be memorable. If you can’t come up with something that satisfies the criteria and is short and catchy, you can go with something longer that still makes sense for your brand.
For example, “microwaves” may already be taken, but “microwavesforsale” is probably still available. You can also get creative with hyphens or numbers if necessary. But hyphens and numbers are not so recommended.
So easy to remember is especially important if you want people to remember it so they know what to type in when they want to visit your site. Try making it catchy or rhyming with something that is already known.
3. Easy to pronounce Domain Name
You want the spelling of your domain name to be intuitive enough so that it’s likely people will type it correctly the first time they see it.
Consider how it sounds aloud—if it’s confusing or difficult to pronounce, you might have a harder time getting people to remember your URL.
Also, you don’t want to spend half of your life explaining that you’re a dentist.
4. Choose the Right Domain Extension
Do you know that the most popular domain extension is .com? Roughly 43% of all domains are .com.
It’s so popular that people often assume that it’s the only one available, and when they can’t find your site on the web, they’ll type in www.[domain name].com before trying anything else. I always did. Have you ever done that?
This means that you should consider registering your domain with this extension as well, right? However, there are occasions when you should avoid it.
If you have a local business that serves a specific country or region, you should use a country code top-level domain (ccTLD), such as .au for Australia, .in for India, and .ca for Canada (not California).
Not only does this tell customers where you’re based, but it also helps with your search engine rankings in that particular area.
For example, if your website is www.wills.com and someone searches for “ India” as www.wills.co.in on Google, they won’t see your website because search engines associate .com domains with international sites.
But if your site was www.wills.co.in, then they would see it because search engines know that .in domains are Indian sites.
In other words, you may want to pick a different TLD, under the following circumstances:
- If your target audience is in another country, you may want to use that country’s top-level domain.
- In case your business is exclusively online and not tied to a physical location, then using “.online” may make sense.
- If you have a nonprofit organization, then “.ngo” or “.org” may be appropriate.
What does Google say about TLD?
The right domain extension can make all the difference in whether your visitors decide to stay on your site or bounce.
You know the one: .com.
Google has categorically stated that your choice of Top Level Domain or domain extension will not have any negative or positive impact on your rankings.
However, the main issue here is – that it does affect the perception of the mass consumer because they view other TLDs as less trustworthy.
Then what is the solution for businesses who find the perfect name but don’t get the .com?
Well, .net or .org extensions are no less uncommon, so they can be the best alternatives if the coveted .com isn’t available.
A short and sweet domain is ideal.
A well-crafted domain name has the power to attract customers and make them buy from you.
But for that, your domain name must convey the personality of your business and connect with your customers on an emotional level.
If you are a startup or a small business looking for ways to grow organically online, having a powerful and influential domain name can work wonders for you.
According to a study, 67% of internet users choose an online store only after reading its name and 70% accept that they are more likely to buy from an eCommerce brand that has a short and sweet URL (Uniform Resource Locator).
On top of that, search engines like Google also give much preference to easy-to-understand and simple domain names that deliver what they promise.
URLs that contain special characters and numbers are not only difficult for a human to memorize but Google also finds them hard to digest. Thus, it ultimately hurt search engine rankings.
People don’t like typing long addresses into a web browser, so the shorter yours is, the better. Try leaving off vowels or combining words when possible.
Since short domain names nowadays are hardly available, your desired domain name might have been taken already by someone. So, try an alternative with the recommended length of 6 – 14 characters.
Say no to Numbers and Hyphens
If you’ve ever been looking at a site, and you can’t remember the domain name because it’s full of numbers and dashes, you know what I’m talking about.
We’re not saying that numbers and dashes are always a bad thing. They have their place—just not in your domain name!
Don’t put yourself in the position of having to lose traffic because someone can’t remember how to reach your site, or they can’t effectively tell someone else how to find it.
If you choose a domain name with numbers or hyphens in it, you’re likely going to lose traffic to people who can’t remember your domain or effectively tell someone else how to find it.
Let’s say we want people to visit our site at www.birddogs-and-cats.com. That’s a pretty memorable domain name, right? It even rhymes!
Well, let’s say I’m telling my friend about the site. The trouble is that I have to remember if there’s a dash between “dogs” and “and,” or between “and” and “cats.” And what if I forget the dash entirely?
My friend might try going to birddogsandcats.com, or even birddogscats.com —both of which would take them somewhere entirely different than where I intended. And that’s just one example.
If you use a number in your domain name, that’s another hurdle for users to overcome—remembering if it was spelled out or communicated numerically (e.g., birddogs-and-cats-2-u.com vs birddogsandcats2u.com).
That’s why we recommend choosing a domain name without any hyphens or numbers—it makes a huge difference.
Check for Trademark Infringement
“We’re sorry to report that [www.willsblogger.com] may be a trademark infringement.”
This type of case happens when there is any brand out there that has already used the same name. If you’re not sure where to find it, here’s how to check for trademark infringement:
First, you need to go to the US Patent and Trademark Office databases. There, you can search for trademarks by keyword or by company name. If somebody has already taken the name, you are done! Don’t use it again.
Be careful not to use words in your brand name that are already trademarked by someone else. Your brand name should be unique, but it should also be descriptive of what you do.
If there’s already an established brand with a similar-sounding name, then you probably don’t want to use anything close to it.
At this point, we recommend doing another brainstorm and coming up with a few more potential domain names.
Your Domain Name Must Be Future-Proof
In this day and age, it’s important to protect your assets. That’s why you always need to check on your security software, back up files to the cloud, and even check your credit scores every so often.
But what about one of the most important assets, as a blogger – “ domain name” right?
If you’re planning on keeping your business activities for the long haul, then you need to make sure your domain name will stand the test of time which means you need a domain name that’s future-proof.
Domains—and the websites they house—are long-term investments. You know that! It takes months or years to build up a website’s credibility and authority, so try to avoid choosing a domain name that includes a year or the latest trendy catchphrase.
Don’t let yourself be locked into a name that will expire. If you’re marketing a product or service that is trendy now but might not be as popular later, you should reconsider using it as part of your name.
For example, if you are selling a blue polka-dot dress right now, avoid using the word “polka-dot” in your name. That way, when the polka-dot trend dies out and you start selling shoes, your domain won’t be limited by its current inventory.
Use a Domain Name Generator
So you’ve come up with a million great ideas for the name of your new blog, but none of them are available when you check their domain names. Bummer!
Look! coming up with the perfect name for anything is hard. If you’re not the creative type and need some help sparking some ideas, fear not. There are tons of domain name generators out there to help you out.
Benefits of having The right domain
A domain name is an address visitors use to access your website. It is also one of the most vital aspects of building your online presence.
The benefits of having the right domain name include the following:
- Build a strong brand
- Attract more traffic
- Improve SEO
How to Safeguard Yourself When You Buy a Domain Name?
There are a lot of reasons to buy a domain. Maybe you’re launching your new business, or maybe your old domain just wasn’t working for you anymore. Either way, you’ve found yourself in the market to purchase one.
Purchasing a domain is normally a straightforward process, but it is advised to check out the following three important things without fail:
Privacy and Data Protection
1. Be Cautious about the hidden fees.
Some domain providers offer what looks like a good deal on the surface, but those prices are often loaded with hidden fees that can add up over time.
Also, some registrars offer “free” domains, but they may charge you for other services instead.
When you purchase a domain name, often the price will be listed as “free”. Do not be fooled—while you may not need to pay for the actual domain name, there will be other fees associated with your purchase.
For example, most companies that sell domains require that you purchase a hosting package in order to use the domain.
As another example, many companies have a lower price for the first year but exceedingly increase the price for subsequent years. So, make sure you review the pricing and terms thoroughly before you buy anything.
2. Protect your privacy and data.
The sale of personal data is a huge business these days, and many companies make money by selling their customers’ information to third parties.
Check to see how the company you’re purchasing from protects your privacy and data (as well as how they plan to use both).
Registrars are companies that sell domains, but they also have access to your personal information and data associated with the domain.
If privacy is important to you, consider using a privacy registration service to protect yourself from unwanted exposure and possible abuse of your information.
You can quickly become a target of spammers who could cheat you by sending a false renewal invoice.
3. Assess renewal rates and cancelation policy.
Before purchasing a domain name, make sure to review renewal policies and cancellation policies so that you know what to expect down the line.
Many domain providers offer low initial fees, but then raise those prices dramatically when it’s time to renew. Make sure you know what you’ll be paying for each year so you can budget accordingly.
When you’re checking out, make sure you read the fine print about how much the renewal will cost after the first term ends.
Some registrars don’t allow for refunds or for canceling a domain; others will refund unused time on your domain if you cancel within a given time frame.
There are also some registrars who charge an additional fee if users decide to transfer their domain to another company. So, always keep these three golden tips in mind, then you’re good to go!
How to Buy and Register
Let’s assume you know all the important keys to have a perfect domain name and now you’re completely ready to buy.
Following are the required steps for buying and registering your sweet domain name.
1. Choose a Reliable Domain Registrar
When you’re looking for a domain name, it’s important to go with a reliable registrar. The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) is the nonprofit organization responsible for coordinating all of the numerical spaces on the internet.
ICANN has accredited a number of registrars that are currently available to help you find your perfect domain name. Namecheap offers domains governed by ICANN. Go to the next step for checking…
2. Find a Domain Availability Checker Tool
After you’ve decided a domain name is what you want, the next step in your journey is a domain name search.
You’ll want to use a domain availability checking tool to see if the domain you want is available or not.
Luckily, NameCheap has a domain availability checker tool right on their domains page. It’s super easy to use.
Just select the option that best fits your needs, then enters the domains you’re interested in and click “Check.”
3. Register Your Domain Name Immediately
Type your desired domain name in the search box and click the “search” button. If the domain is available, you will be asked if you would like to register it immediately.
If it is not available, you will be told so, and give suggestions for other domains that are similar or available with various TLDs (e.g., .net, .org).
Once you have found an available domain name that suits your needs, click on the “register” button next to the domain name of your choice.
4. Create an Account
You will then be asked to create an account with the registrar, where you will provide personal information such as your name, address, phone number, etc. so that your ownership of the website can be verified.
Fill in all the necessary information correctly and click on the “Create Account & Continue” button.
Your account will be created automatically and an email will be sent to your inbox containing login details. You can use these details for future login purposes.
5. Make the Payment & Verify Ownership
Now, it’s time to make the payment. Select a payment method, fill in all the payment details, and check the box.
They’ll send you a verification email immediately to verify the ownership of the domain.
Once you click the “Verify Domain” button, it’s done! You become the sole owner of that domain.
You can use your domain to start building your brand and also create a business email address.
Best 3 Domain Registrars
1. Namecheap — Bring your ideas to life
Your domain name is the first thing your visitors will notice about your website. It has to be something catchy, easy to remember, and unique so that it stands out from the rest of the crowd.
Namecheap provides great quality service at an affordable price and it is essential for all startups.
Name cheap is so good at what they do that they can afford to focus on building a great service above all else, without relying on the limitations of an opaque, competitive marketplace.
There is no need to worry about Google or other giant competitors buying them out or trying to copy them.
They have domain prices so low, that they would probably be unable to sell at a profit if they had an expensive retail storefront.
Their low prices, happy customers, and innovation combine to make Namecheap one of the best domain registrars available.
Even if you are still confused about the name for your domain, go to the domain name generator section and enter your keyword, it’ll generate a list of potential domain names.
Select that best suits your needs. We’ve already provided the steps above.
Features
- Domain name search
- Domain name transfer
- Bulk domain transfer
- Free DNS
- Offers Shared Hosting, WordPress hosting, and VPS hosting.
- It provides SSL certificates and domain name registration services.
- Popular domains at competitive prices
- Free email forwarding
- Free WhoisGuard privacy protection
- Unlimited parked domains and one-click antivirus installation
- Free privacy protection for life
- 24/7 customer support
- 100% Uptime
Review
Leading domain name registrar as well as web-hosting provider Namecheap consistently rates at the top of its competitors.
With one of the most comprehensive suites of tools, it’s built to give you the freedom to create anything.
A Shopper Approved survey rated Namecheap an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars with over 2 million respondents giving their reviews about the site. See for yourself.
Pricing
- .com – $5.98 per year (Special discount available)
- .org $9.18 per year
- .net – $10.98 per year
- .io – $32.98 per year
Hassle-Free Domain Name Registration with Namecheap >>
2. GoDaddy —
Trusted by over 20 million verified customers
GoDaddy is also one of the most popular domain name registrars on the planet. Trusted by more than 20 million customers worldwide.
They do business in over 130 countries, offer 17 equally impressive languages, and have over 84 million domain names under management — more than any other registrar.
GoDaddy has a comprehensive and easy-to-use website builder, excellent domain management options, and a generous refund policy.
It offers excellent customer service, with fast 24/7 support and help available by phone, email, or chat at any time of day.
Whether you’re looking for a fabulous name for your new website or need help finding a domain that is available and affordable. GoDaddy can help you find a fantastic domain name.
GoDaddy has been successfully and professionally hosting websites for more than a decade.
Like Namecheap, GoDaddy is a reputable option not only for domain name registration but also for Shared Hosting, VPS, Dedicated, WordPress, and Reseller Hosting.
They also offer cloud computing solutions with custom domains.
Features
- Domain name search
- Over 500 Domain extension
- Create a custom web address for up 100 subdomains
- Real-time monitoring
- Quick and simple domain transfer
- Simple domain set-up
- Bulk domain search
- Generate domain & Business names
- Offers Shared Hosting, WordPress hosting, Business Hosting, VPS hosting, etc.
- Domain name investing
- Free WhoisGuard privacy protection
- 10GB of email storage
- Free privacy protection for life
- 24/7 phone and chat customer support
Rating
People love GoDaddy because of its high-quality service and support. Trust Pilot reviews reveal that GoDaddy’s products are highly rated. The average score is 4.6 out of 5, and over 37k customers have left their opinions.
Pricing
- .com – $4.99 per year
- .net – $14.99 per year
- .org – $20.99 per year
- .co – $11.99 per year
Register domain name with GoDaddy >>
3. Google Domains
Over 300 domain endings
Looking to build a simple website with a custom domain name? Not sure if you should pick .com, .info, or something else? What about a different country code like .co?
And what about that coveted dot-something like dot-WordPress, dot-website, or maybe something more obscure. The choices are overwhelming.
Whether you’re planning to start a business, blog, or build a website for yourself, you’ll want to get the perfect domain name.
A domain can help people reach you online and make it easy for them to remember how to reach you.
This is where Google Domain comes in. It’s where you can easily find your perfect domain name using their search and suggestion tool.
You need it because it’s the address people will use to visit your site, and it’s the first part of your business name that anyone will see.
That’s why they built this page to guide you through the process of choosing, buying, and using a domain — along with some tips to help you get started with your website.
Good domain names are important to your online success. Businesses like yours need a domain name to capture local customers, build trust, and get more conversions. Find the right domain for your needs using the Google domain.
Features
- Domain sharing
- Domain name search
- Fast Multi-domain registration
- Simple pricing
- You can download DNS records to standard formats like YAML or BIND for easy migration
- One-click DNSSEC
- Free cloud DNS
- Speed and security promised using Google infrastructure
- Free privacy protection
- Integration with Google products like
- Automatic domain verification
- Easy access to add-ons and services like Bluehost
- More than 300 domain endings.
Pricing
- .com – $11.25 per annum or year
- .net – $11.25 per annum
- .org – $11.25 per annum
- .info – $11.25 per annum
- .app – $13.21 per annum
- .co – $28.12 per annum
Get Started With Google Domain Today!
Domain name with a web hosting
Everyone knows that choosing a hosting service is one of the hardest decisions for any website or blog owner.
There are so many companies out there that offer cheap web hosting services, but you should know that not all of them will suit your needs.
Just like you have to find a perfect home where all your needs would be met, it’s very important to find the ideal blog hosting site if you want to build or expand your existing site as this is going to be a great and supportive home for your web pages.
Nowadays, new web hosting companies are trying hard to make everything perfect for their new users. What do I mean by this?
They want to make a relationship with you that will last for many years and they prove it by offering many special features, free of charge.
That said, you can get a free domain name when you sign up for a new hosting service to those companies.
Considering the fact that hosting and domain names are both provided to you by the same host, it is obvious you can save money while registering your domain.
Of course, most of the top-rated web hosting companies stand behind their promise – no hidden fees when signing up.
You know, only well-established and reputable companies can usually manage to offer valuable freebies.
So, if you have just created your website or started a blog today, I’ll give you one of the best web hosts that will help you overcome the trouble of buying a domain name.
So, if you register with them for example, you will get free domain name registration for the first year. How cool is that!
Best web hosts that offer a free domain name
Bluehost — The Best Web Hosting Platform
You will want to get everything set up correctly the first time or else it could potentially cause several problems for you in the future.
If you’re looking for a web hosting company that’s reliable, user-friendly, and competitively priced — then Bluehost is the perfect option for you.
And the best part is that you can get started with Bluehost right now and receive a free domain name for the first year with your purchase.
In addition to that, you’ll also get freebies such as a free staging area – an SSL certificate, and 24/7 phone and live chat customer support.
Features
Some of the key features if you subscribe to Bluehost shared hosting include:
- Easy to use dashboard
- Free SSL Certificate
- Free domain name for the first year
- Fully customizable website
- Built-in security
- One-click WordPress install
- Expert 24/7 live customer support
- Unlimited disk storage
- And more
Pricing
- Free domain name for the first year
- .com – $12.99 for the 1st year
- .org – $9.99 for the 1st year
- .net – $18.99 for the 1st year
- .tech – $4.99 for the 1st year
- .co – $27.99 for the 1st year
- .blog – $22.99 for the 1st year
Conclusion
If you want to purchase a domain name, it’s a fairly easy process. With trustworthy registrars out there such as Namecheap and GoDaddy and thousands of TLDs (Top-Level Domains) to choose from, you’ll be able to find one that works for you.
But beyond finding and purchasing, you should also plan to maintain your site, by utilizing the best hosting services such as Bluehost, optimizing your site for search engines using WP Rocket, and making regular revisions.
And if your domain is something that you think will bring you recognition or help build your brand identity, then it’s an investment that is sure to return dividends.
There are a lot of choices out there, but hopefully, this article will help you weed through the noise and guide you to find a perfect domain name and registrar that’s right for you.
And remember, not all domain name registrars are the same. To find the one that’s best for you, you should carefully review your options and consider all of our factors above with this in mind.
Some Frequently Asked Questions
The short answer is- yes, anyone who wants to start a website can buy a domain name.
But there are things you should know before committing to the purchase. That’s what this article is all about.
Please go and read again, you’ll find out how to buy a domain name from top to bottom.
Domain names only need to be renewed every year by paying an annual fee.
You can, however, pre-pay for several years in a row and ensure that you will have a domain name for many years to come.
So, the question “how to buy a domain name permanently” is not quite relevant – meaning you cannot purchase a domain name with just one payment and own it permanently.
Some web hosting companies offer free domain registration for one year only if you sign up for their hosting service.
However, the registration fee will not be free forever, so make sure to think about your budget and the duration for which you will need to maintain the web address.
Keep in mind that you’ll have to pay for the registration after the first year onward.
When you register your domain name, keep in mind that it is good to choose a plan that allows you to pay yearly. Why?
We recommend that you sign up for an annual domain name payment plan, or maximum for a two-year plan as allows you to switch registrars in the event that you decide to do so.
Who knows, at some point in time you may discover that your current registrar is not suitable for you. Then, this will help you to be able to switch to other registrars without difficulty.
Unfortunately, as of right now, there is no way to pay for a domain name once and be done with it.
Domain names are governed by the ICANN, which is a private, non-profit corporation that oversees the assignment of IP addresses and domain names.
ICANN contracts with accredited registrars like Namecheap to sell domain names on their behalf.
The agreement those registrars have with ICANN means that they can only register names for set periods of time, usually from one year to ten years.
They’re required to keep track of when a registration expires, so they send emails before the expiration date to give us plenty of notice and the opportunity to renew our registration.
The fee we pay for the registration period goes back to ICANN and the registry for our extension (.com, .org, etc.).
A yearly renewal system of domain name registration has its advantages and disadvantages.
The advantages are:
- While you can maintain control over your domain as long as you renew your registration each year, you also get discounts on the first year of purchases.
- You also have the freedom to switch to other registrars the next year if you wish to do so but if it’s a one-time payment system, you can’t afford to switch over to other registrars.
The disadvantages:
- You’ll always receive email reminders about your domain name renewal every year when the time draws near.
- Even though you get a free offer for the first year, there are certain registrars who charge a much higher rate for renewal to compensate for the free offer of the first year.
Yes, you can host your own domain. But, you can also move your domain to a new hosting service. Your domain is yours, and you can change its name servers to point it to any other hosting company.
For example, you purchased your domain at Godaddy, but now you want to use Bluehost as your web host.
The market prices vary widely, but a decent domain name can cost anywhere between $5,000 and $20,000. Premium or category-specific names may be priced in tens of thousands.
Super-short names—like DotCom—can sell for huge amounts of money, say millions of USD depending on a wide number of reasons. The most expensive domain name ever sold was ‘cars.com’ which cost $ 872 million.
Do you believe it? You can also invest in a domain name. You can find out more at GoDaddy.
You can find out who owns a domain name by entering the domain name into the search box on the WHOIS website and clicking the search button. The ownership details will appear. Follow the following steps:
Step 1: On your browser, go to WHOIS
Step 2: There’ll be a search box on the homepage, where you can enter the domain name that you want to search for.
Step 3: Type the domain name and click on ‘the search button, or just hit the enter tab on your keyboard, and the search will begin.
Step 4: You will now get details information such as the domain registration date, registry expiration, owner’s name, etc.
There are various hosting packages to choose from when you ask how much it costs to host a website on Google.
The cheapest option would be shared hosting, costing anywhere from $2.00 a month to $14.99 a month. You can find out more about web hosting prices in my other article.
Dedicated hosting, the most expensive option, can cost anywhere from $9.99 a month to $839.99 a month.
If you’re still using your free email address such as Gmail, Yahoo, etc. to do your business, host a webinar, or communicate with customers and prospects, it’s time to set up a custom email address using your newly registered domain.
This email will brand your business and help you stand out. If you haven’t yet bought a domain name, do so now!
Your business email would look like yourname@yourdomain.com and it looks professional and trustworthy.
Buying and selling domain names part-time can be a lucrative business. This is also called flipping domain names.
It is a great way to make money if you’re interested in investing time and energy into learning the art of investing in valuable domain names that might increase in value.
But it takes a lot of practice to get the hang of it. Once you do, however, you can make a lot of money. Check out domain investing to learn more.
This is another way of making money with domain names. Now, it’s time to put your domain up for sale.
One option is to use a standard domain registrar, like GoDaddy.com, which facilitates domain name sales through auction.
Meanwhile, Sedo is also a website designed exclusively for buying and selling domains.
Another popular option is to place your domain on a parked page with a “buy now” button to generate targeted interest from interested buyers.
You can find out if a domain is available for registration using a WHOIS tool. Or you can also do the following way.
To do that:
- Go to https://domains.google.com/registrar.
- On the left side column, you’ll see a “Get a new domain”. A search box will appear if you click it.
- Now, in the search box, enter your preferred domain name and simply hit enter. A list of the suggested names will appear where you have to check for availability.
- If it’s available, you’ll see it instantly. If not, it will say, “already registered”
- You can also complete a quick purchase from there, if available.
- If not, then, there will be similar names available from other extensions such as .net, .org, etc.
Your email address includes two important parts: your user name, and the portion after the @ symbol, which is the email domain.
So, your email domain name is part of the address following the “@” symbol.
For example, in william@willsblogger.com, the last part – willsblogger.com is the email domain.
Then, the first part “william” will be? – user name.
You can configure a DNS resolver to use a local domain name. The local domain name is the domain name that the DNS resolver on the client will try to find before sending a query to other DNS servers.
The local domain name is the exact same as the DNS suffix of your network connection.
You can find this in the network settings, but it’s going to be something like “home” or “school”.
