Are you looking to register a domain name, but don’t know where to start?
Part of building a website, is buying a domain name that has to be unique.
In this step-by-step guideline, we’re going to show you several options on how to register a domain name and also cover some commonly asked questions that might pop up in your mind while registering a domain.
But let’s first start by explaining why is it crucial to choose a good domain name.
Why a Good Domain Name is Important?
A domain name is your unique identifier among billions of other websites on the web. That’s why having a memorable and easy-to-type name is essential for having an online presence.
Your domain name serves as an extension of your personal or business name. In that sense it:
- Improves recognition and awareness.
- Adds extra credibility to your venture.
- Eventually boosts visitors’ recall.
Also, choosing a good domain name is important for SEO. Several years ago exact match domains (EMDs) were all the rage, but today most people choose brandable domain names.
Memorable domain names get typed to Google more frequently. Algorithms keep track of that and assign more authority to your website. As the branded search volume grows, your domain name earns extra authority points, so that it gets easier to rank for related keywords.
With that being said, let’s move on to the how-to part.
How to Register a Domain Name: 4 Options
- Using Domain.com
- Using GoDaddy.com
- Using Namecheap.com
- Using Bluehost web hosting (offers free domain for 1 year)
To get a domain name, you’ll need to ‘call dibs’ with ICANN. ICANN is a global non-profit authority that maintains records on which domain and IP address belongs to whom and manages access to them.
But ICANN doesn’t provide registration services, it only maintains records. That’s where domain name registrars come into play.
The primary role of a register is to:
- Coordinate claims on different domain names.
- Match specific domain names with Domain Name System (DNS) nameservers.
- Ensure that there are no duplicate domain names.
Technically speaking, you are not buying a domain name from a registrar company, but reserve its usage for a specified time. You can pay to reserve a domain for 1-10 years at a time, depending on the registrar. After your initial subscription expires, you’ll need to renew it and pay a fee again. You can re-purchase your domain name over and over again.
When registering a domain name, you sign a long-term lease of your domain (without the ability to buy it out for good). You can read more about the domain costs here.
In practice, all of the above is much simpler than you think as we will show below.
1. How to Get a Domain Name from Domain.com
Domain.com is a reputable domain registrar, launched in 1998. Over 1.2 million websites are registered with them.
Domain.com features the most popular top level domains (TLDs) such as .com, .net, .org, .co, along with over 25 county-specific domain extensions (.fr, .au, .co.uk, and more).
They are mostly selling affordable domain names with most names priced in the $9.99-$12.99/year range. If you are lucky, you can also steal a deal and buy your domain name for as low as $2.99/year.
For that price you get:
- 1-year domain ownership.
- Free SSL certificate for extra security.
- Automatic email forwarding to your domain.
- DNS registration and management tools.
Also, you can purchase extra Domain Privacy+Protection for your domain (costs $8.99/year). In this case, your personal details will not be displayed publicly in the WHOIS/ICANN directories. Plus, the registrar will also run extra security checks.
Sounds sweet? Here’s how to register a domain name on Domain.com.
Step 1: Run a quick search to verify that the domain name you are eying is available.
Step 2: Pick your domain extension. Go for .com since it’s the most familiar option among users and thus, people, tend to type .com before trying anything else.
Your choice gets automatically added to your cart with a 2-year privacy protection subscription. This one’s optional, so you can remove it during the next step. Also, you can change your domain renewal period from one year to five years.
Moreover, you can pick some add-on services such as:
- A professional email address, matching your domain name.
- Access to a drag & drop website builder.
- A web hosting plan (don’t rush to grab it!).
- SiteLock website security tool.
Step 3: Provide your billing and payment information once you are done with your selections. Add a coupon code “WEBSITESETUP25” to get 25% off of the first payment, review your choice(s), and proceed with checkout.
Use this coupon code when registering to get 25% OFF – “WEBSITESETUP25“
Note: Re-check your domain spelling before hitting “Purchase Now”. Domain.com doesn’t let you change your domain name post-purchase if you misspelled it.
2. How to Register a Domain on GoDaddy.com
GoDaddy is also known as a web hosting provider, but you can also buy a domain name from them.
Step 1: Look up a new domain name first. If you haven’t come up with a good name yet or are assessing different options, GoDaddy has a nice set of extra features to help you out.
You can use the Bulk Domain search to check a bunch of domain ideas for eligibility in a click. Or you can play around with their free domain name generator to get some alternative suggestions if your primary choice is already taken:
Also, if you are feeling very determined to get your desired domain for branding purposes, GoDaddy can try to broker a deal for you with the owner. But remember, the original owner may name any price they deem appropriate so in that case, you’ll be paying:
- Domain purchase fee to the seller.
- GoDaddy Domain Brokerage commission.
- The regular yearly subscription price for the selected domain and add-ons.
If you are running a small business, going into a heated negotiation with some cyber squatters may not be the best investment of your time and budgets.
Wait out and see if the other person forgets to renew their domain or abandons it so that you could snatch it then. GoDaddy has a Domain Backordering service (starting at $24.98 per domain) where you can reserve your place in line for a specific domain. If there’s more than one buyer, the domain goes on auction. If it’s just you only, you get it immediately.
Step 2: Once you’ve made your pick, grab all the TLDs you want to your basket and then select your renewals period (1 to 10 years).
GoDaddy regularly runs different promos, so it’s easy to get a really affordable domain with them. Also, the annual rate includes:
- The ability to create up to 100 subdomains for your website.
- Basic privacy protection: your personal details will not be visible on WHOIS.
- For personal name domains: free forwarding to your Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twitter account.
- Real-time domain monitoring and security tools.
- Excellent customer support.
Step 3: Once you’ve finished filling your cart with domains, click proceed to checkout. At the next screen, you’ll be given an option to pick some extra handy features such as:
- Extra domain privacy and security coverage.
- Free “Coming Soon” page.
- An email address to match your domain.
Step 4: Continue to your cart and carefully review your purchase summary. Pay attention to the fact that GoDaddy charges a lower rate for 1-year domains. But the price may go up if you sign up for 2+years.
Again, you’d be pitched several upsells in case you change your mind.
Step 5: Create an accounting or sign in using your Facebook or Google Account.
Step 6: Provide your billing information. Then add a valid payment method (remember: you’ll be auto-billed each year, so your card shouldn’t be too close to expiring). Review all the details one last time and click ‘purchase’ to get your new domain name(s) registered.
3. How to Get a Domain Name From Namecheap.com
Namecheap is another popular website for buying domain names and getting website hosting. As their domain name prompts, they often have a lot of good deals and somewhat lower annular prices than GoDaddy, for example.
So if you love a good bargain, here’s how to buy a domain name via Namecheap.
Step 1: Run your desired domain name search first and review available options. Namecheap has a really huge collection of new TLDs such as .art .digital, .luxury among 400+ other options.
Also, if your name isn’t available or you’d like to get some more ideas, switch to their advanced search view aka the Beast Mode:
As you can see from above, you have a lot more features to play with such as price range, suffix/prefix, and so on. This can help you drill down to that perfect domain name that is short, memorable, available, and yet cheap!
Step 2: After you’ve chosen the best contenders, proceed to your cart to start the checkout process. At this point, you can also add some extras and customize your order:
With Namecheap, you get a lifetime free WHOIS protection for every domain name, plus they recently added a bonus premium DNS offer (priced at $4,88/year). When you enable it, your domain gets yearly protection against DNS/DDoS attacks (that are on the rise!), plus ultra-fast global DNS response. This gives you some extra leverage in terms of your website speed.
On top of that, you can select some affordable up-sells such as:
- A yearly hosting plan with a website builder included.
- Dedicated managed WordPress web host.
- SSL certificate for extra protection (recommended for websites processing payments).
- VPN subscription.
- A professional email address for your domain.
Also, you can play around with your renewal. Namecheap provides a small discount for 2+ years.
Step 3: To confirm your order you’ll need to create an account with Namecheap. However, they don’t offer an option to log in with Google or Facebook, so you’ll need to provide an email address.
Step 4: After login, you’ll need to provide your billing details, add a payment method, and proceed with the purchase.
4. How to Register a Domain Name For Free (Using Bluehost)
You’ve heard the rumor about free domain names. Is it true?
Yes! There are actually ways to get a free domain name for your website.
First, you can get a free domain name for a web hosting provider such as Bluehost.
They offer every new user a 1-year free domain with any of their hosting plans. You can either register a brand new domain name with them or transfer a domain name, registered with another company.
Some other hosting providers who also have a 1-year ‘free domain’ policy:
- HostGator
- Dreamhost
- InMotion Hosting
Note: The downside of getting a domain name from a hosting provider is more expensive renewals. After a free year, most hosting providers will charge a higher renewal fee, compared to domain registrars.
Domain Registration FAQs
Here are some commonly asked questions.
1. What are Domain Name Extensions?
Domain name extensions help categorize different domain names. It’s a special hierarchy, invented for the Internet.
You can choose among popular top-level domain extensions (TLDs) such as:
- .com
- .org
- .net
Or go with a local domain extension such as if you want to focus on building a presence in a specific country:
- .co.uk
- .es
- .fr
- .au
Also, there’s a bunch of creative domain extensions, launched recently. You can try playing around with them to create a shorter, brandable name. For example:
- Alchemi.st
- Autu.mn
- Dear.ly
- Handma.de
2. How to Buy a Website Domain for Ever?
As we explained, domain names are not for complete sale. Essentially, you are reserving domain name usage for a set period (10-years max at a time). But you can keep renewing your domain name as many times as you want to.
While you cannot buy it out for good from a registrar, you can hold on to your domain name for as long as you are paying your renewal fee.
3. What Happens If I Don’t Renew My Domain Name?
If you didn’t set auto-renewal or forgot to manually do so despite the reminders from your domain registrar, your domain name will expire. This means several things:
- Your website will no longer be accessible by anyone who types your URL.
- The domain name will be available for sale again, typically in 30-days or so after expiration.
- It can also be auctioned on a website domain auction.
In essence, failure to pay a renewal fee means lost access to your domain.
4. Can I Transfer My Domain Name?
Yes, most domain registrars can also facilitate the process of transferring a domain name from one person to another (if certain conditions are met). For example, if you want to buy a premium domain name from someone, a registrar can help process the deal securely.
Also, you can transfer your domain name between different registrars if you found a better deal, for example, or just need some extra features.
Below are linked help documents for doing that with each registrar:
To Conclude How to Register a Domain Name
Congratulations! If you followed through with our step-by-step guide, you should now know how to register a domain name.
What you need is come up with (or research on the platform) a sound word combo, decide on your domain extension, pick some handful add-ons, and pay for your subscription. Afterward, the registrar will provide you with further quick instructions for connecting your domain name to your website, so that you can finally become visible on the web.
Have a question about how to register a domain name for your website that is not included here? Leave us a comment below.
Raymond
Differences between .com, .org etc
WebsiteSetup Editorial
Hey Raymond, see this: https://websitesetup.org/choose-domain-name/
WarriorOreo (Youtube;soundcloud)
So there’s like NO WAY to get a free domain without a time limit?
Nick Schäferhoff
There are some ways to get a free domain but nothing you would want to use for any professional purpose.
Paul
If you register a domain for 5 years, after that will the price go up? Seems like they could gouge me when it is time to renew.
Nick Schäferhoff
Domains that you already own usually don’t get more expensive and your domain registrar of choice should clearly state the cost of domain renewal upfront.
Scott
I have a great name that I want to register and it is available in .com but these companies are giving me a price of over $3,000.00 to register it saying it is a premium name. How can they do this? This seems fraudulent.
Nick Schäferhoff
Depending on the popularity of the keywords in the URL, some domain names can be more expensive than others.
Pedro
What about migration of the domain to another hosting? Is it easy, cheap? Thanks!
Nick Schäferhoff
Hey Pedro, migrating your domain from one hosting provider to another should usually be free of charge as you only need to change the DNS servers. You can find a description of that in this post: https://websitesetup.org/how-to-switch-web-hosts/.
Vee
Can I sign up with Wix and later change my web hosting to another site?
Nick Schäferhoff
Yes, that is possible, however, moving your content from Wix to another platform is not always easy. Also, if you are planning to move on from Wix at a later point, it might be a good idea to register your domain externally and not through them. That will make it easier to reuse it.
Nick
Really wish I had read your article before I signed up with wix.com!
Nick Schäferhoff
Hey Nick, maybe you are still within the grace period and can revert it?
dada
Is there a really free way to get found on google, i.e. to register a domain for free?
Nick Schäferhoff
Not really, unless as part of a hosting package. However, depending on the domain, you can get them for really cheap if you try different registrars.
Vijay singh
Hi there,
Can you please guide me how can I build a website first in wordpress without buying a domain and hosting. I want to create a website first and once ready to publish I wish to buy domain so that I use the domain period efficiently. And of course I will buy hosting too. But before buying any domain or hosting I want to be ready with my website in wordpress.
Waiting for your valuable guidance.
Thank you
Nick Schäferhoff
Hey Vijay,
That is actually a very smart way of approaching it. Though you might want to buy your domain first if you think there is a chance someone else might want it. Aside from that, what you want to do is build a local development environment. That means, simulating a server on your local computer so you can build your website there. Good options for WordPress and other PHP-based CMS include XAMPP and Local by Flywheel.
Good luck!
Chase Shields
I’d like to suggest not encouraging people to use a shady, anti-consumer company like Go Daddy. There are plenty of domain name registries that are much better, like namecheap.com and siteground.com.
Nick Schäferhoff
Hey Chase, thanks for your input and for pointing out alternatives!
Vikas Maurya
Hi Nick
Thanks for your article. This is a great read. However I am still not sure about what all add-ons I should have for my website. For example, If I take web hosting from WordPress they offer some add-ons related to security etc which is bit costly, so I want to make sure that I am only paying for essential add-ons and not the unnecessary stuff. Can you help in this regard?
WebsiteSetup Editorial
Hi Vikas.
Domain Privacy Protection is generally a good one to have. Others are highly optional, especially if you’re going to use wordpress.org, which has a decent amount of free plugins that can help with backups, security, SEO and more anyway.
iww
Hi Nick
Great thx for your post. I have my free host from wix, Recently, I would like to connect it to a domain name I wish. As what you mentioned, name and hosting are two services. If there is any possibility to connect the content I build from the host (wix) to the domain name(e.g godaddy) I wish?
WebsiteSetup Editorial
Yes, it’s possible to connect your Wix site with an external domain name, but you’ll need to have a premium plan with them to do it: https://support.wix.com/en/article/connecting-a-domain-to-the-wix-name-servers
Claire Hunter
Hi! I would like to like to create a business email address using a business domain. I do not require a website. Is there a way I can do this for free?
Nick Schäferhoff
I don’t think there is a way to get it for free because you will always have to pay for the domain. Your best bet might be to get a cheap hosting plan that comes with a domain included. Pretty much all hosting providers offer email functionality with their plans. Gmail also offers custom domains with G Suite, starting at $6/month. However, hosting might still be cheaper.
Ali
Hi! What does a webhost do and what would you need it? This is the first page I came across, so I’m currently looking up everything 🙂
WebsiteSetup Editorial
Hi Ali,
No worries! The web host essentially puts your website on the internet so other people could see it, that’s why every website needs a host. 🙂
Ali
WebsiteSetup Editorial – Thank you very much for the response!
Ali
Also, can you set up a page to purchase an online/digital product, such as a small online course with videos or pdfs?
Nick Schäferhoff
Yes, that is absolutely possible. In WordPress, you can find plenty of plugins for that.
Michael Ritzert
My wife and I are just starting an online business after an injury I had last year. My thought was that I could go back to work way before now. I do not have any experience and do not web hosting is or how it can help me. I realize that to have an online business I need to create a domain name but am not sure how web hosting fits in.
Also, I keep hearing about SEO, what tips are there to optimize search engines?
WebsiteSetup Editorial
Hi Michael,
Basically the domain name is your unique address and web hosting is what puts your site on the internet for others to access – both are needed. Keep in mind that when you sign up for hosting you get a free domain name as well so there’s no need to buy it separately.
SEO is a big topic, but for some basic optimization tips you can read this: https://websitesetup.org/increase-website-traffic/
WebsiteSetup Editorial
Hi Sandi,
Yes, you can make an online store with WordPress and you don’t need to pay anything extra for it. I actually have a guide here that should help: https://websitesetup.org/woocommerce-online-store-tutorial/
Dana
Hi. I currently have a website on a free website builder (wix). I want to buy my own custom domain, and be able to keep the actual pages I made on the website from wix (its a blog). How would I keep my website and shift it over, and how would I continue to add material (like blogs) if I am no longer on wix’s blog manager?
WebsiteSetup Editorial
Hi Dana,
It depends on which platform you plan to transfer to, if you’re going to WordPress for example then there’s a way to export/import your posts via the RSS feed: https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-tutorials/how-to-properly-switch-from-wix-to-wordpress-step-by-step/
Jte
Hi WebsiteSetup Editorial,
Thank you for sharing! May I ask, for a domain I want, Godaddy asks a low rate for a fixed 2 years contract however Bluehost provides the domain for free if you choose them as a host, then which one would you recommend?
WebsiteSetup Editorial
Hi, I’d say Bluehost since that first free domain name should save you more money in the long run and they’re a great web host anyway
cHaNg
Thank you so much for writing this article, suggesting questions or comments and actually proceeding with answering everyone with concise and extremely user friendly info. Originally, I had more questions but your responses and being accountable with your word keeps an article from 2017, up to date ( I hope but feel comfortable with the outcome); therefore I noticed that people are still referring to this article in late 2018 and my own questions are answered and remain to be technology intact in February of 2019.
I had to say thank you because its rare that writers on the internet keep up with the progression of their work.
And…that is noteworthy!
Tks,
cHaNg
WebsiteSetup Editorial
As long as there’s people interested in this stuff, I’ll be keeping it up-to-date 😉
Thanks for the kinds words, Chang!
Christina
Is your domain name portable if you change service providers? I’m starting a non-profit and I want to hold the name, but eventually I will fire someone to do the website development and want them to be able to use the platform they think they can work most effectively in. If I were to register with GoDaddy for services and get a free domain name… do I lose it if I switch to another web-hosting provider?
WebsiteSetup Editorial
Yes, you can move your domain name from one web hosting provider (or registrant) to another. That shouldn’t be an issue :).
Patricia
Hi WebsiteSetup Editorial. Thank you for your website. this is really very helpful for a newbie like me who is planning to do online business. Can I use my name as my domain name ? Can I use same domain name on my other websites?
WebsiteSetup Editorial
Hi Patricia,
Yes, you can use your name as domain name. And you can create multiple pages/sites on one domain. Hope that helps.
Jessica
Thank you for the information. I wasn’t sure if buying a domain name is the same as registering a domain name. I’m assuming is simultaneous when you buy at one of those websites, like Namecheap. Correct me if I’m wrong.
Charles
“if buying a domain name is the same as registering a domain name.”
Well, since you can only LEASE a Domain Name (or register one for a period of time) you are not BUYING (as is the sense, for instance, of BUYING a piece of land) a Domain Name.
As well, the control you have over the Domain Name you register, may be compromised when you are getting a Package Deal (BigDaddy or Wix, etc.)
If you decide to move your web to another hosting service, for instance, does the contract you signed with the HostService/Registrar may require you to pay for the privilege.
Be careful, think AHEAD, read the fine print and ask questions as you will be entering a contractual agreement that was written by the stronger party and likely has you agreeing to arbitration should an issue arise.
WebsiteSetup Editorial
You are 100% correct.
Ian Whittle
Hi is it possible to keep a website offline until I can complete it?
Ian
WebsiteSetup Editorial
Yes 🙂
susannah
First off, thank you and I love you for your clarity.
So,I’ve decided to actually create that website for my artwork. However I just realized that I already have a domain name registered with Network Solutions. I don’t have a hosting site or a WordPress design yet. How do I move forward?
Thanks,
Susannah
WebsiteSetup Editorial
Hi Susannah,
Now you’ll just need to find a web host (I’m suggesting Bluehost). To build a website with WordPress, head over to this guide: https://websitesetup.org