In this step-by-step guide, we will show you how to buy a domain name. First, we will discuss what a domain name is and why you need to register one. Then, we will walk you through the registration process with a popular provider. Finally, we will provide some tips for keeping your domain name safe and secure. So, whether you are starting a new blog or business, or just want to protect your online identity, this guide has everything you need to know!
Ready? Let’s first start by explaining What is a domain name?
What is a Domain name?
It is the address of your website. It’s how people will find you online. Just like your home has a street address, a domain name provides an address for your website so people can find it on the internet.
Domain names can be used for a variety of purposes. For businesses, a domain name is often used as a way to build brand awareness and establish credibility. For individuals, a domain name can be a great way to share your hobbies or interests with the world.
Domain names are made up of two parts: a top-level domain (TLD) and a second-level domain (SLD). The TLD is the part of the domain name that comes after the dot. For example, in the domain name www.example.com, the .com is the TLD. The SLD is the part of the domain name that comes before the dot. In our example, www.example.com, “example” is the SLD.
Why a Good Domain Name is Important
Choosing a domain name is one of the most important things to do when starting an online business. Not only does it have great impact on search engine optimization (SEO), but also can make or break your brand’s success! Most people choose official sounding names like ” domainsforlife ,” however today’s trend seems more along those lines as many entrepreneurs look into branding their own names rather than using something generic like ‘mysmallbusinessname’.
A good name can be the foundation for a great online presence. A memorable, easy-to-remember name helps with SEO and also with boosting brand awareness. It should be easy to spell and type, and it should also include relevant keywords that people might use when searching for your business online.
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.
Additionally, Domain names are important, because they determine how well your website ranks in search engines. The more memorable and relevant the domain name is to potential customers looking for a product or service you offer on Google’s site-the better chance that this specific web address will show up when someone goes searching! This is called search engine optimization, or “SEO.”
How To Buy A Domain Name
Now that we’ve answered the question: what is a domain name? And discussed why it’s important to choose a good domain name, let’s get into how you can actually buy a domain name.
How To Registrar A Domain Name: 3 x Options
- Using Domain.com
- Using GoDaddy.com
- Using Bluehost web hosting (free domain for 1 year)
In order to understand how domain names work, it is first necessary to understand the role of 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. However, ICANN does not provide registration services; it only maintains records. This is where domain registrars come into play. Registrars are accredited by ICANN and provide domain name registration services.
The most popular registrar in the world is GoDaddy, which manages over 61 million domains. Other notable registrars include Hover, Namecheap, and 1&1.
What is a Domain Registrar
Domain name registrars coordinate claims on different domain names, match specific domain names with Domain Name System (DNS) nameservers, and ensure there are no duplicate domain names.
Domain names are not bought; they are only reserved for usage for a specified time (e.g., 1-10 years depending on the registrar). When registering the domain name, you sign a term lease. When the initial (lease) subscription expires, you will need to renew it and pay a fee again.
You can re-purchase your domain name over and over again. By understanding the role of ICANN and domain name registrars, you can more easily understand how domain names work.
It turns out, all of this is much simpler than we think. We’ll see below why that’s the case!
GoDaddy Domain
How To Buy a Website Domain Name on GoDaddy
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. Or you can play around with their free domain name generator to get some alternative suggestions if your primary choice is already taken: GoDaddy domain name generator. As an added bonus, you can also get a free website builder and hosting when you sign up for select plans. This could come in handy if you plan on building a small website to go along with your new domain.
They have a pretty good selection of templates to choose from and the process is relatively simple even if you have no prior experience. Once you’ve got your website built, you can just point your domain name to the site and it will show up online for anyone who types it in. More complicated websites will require additional steps but this should be enough to get started. All in all, GoDaddy makes it easy to search for and buy website domain names as well as providing some useful tools for creating an accompanying website.
Step 2: Once you’ve decided on the perfect domain name for your website, it’s time to add it to your shopping cart and select your renewals period. GoDaddy offers some of the most competitive rates around, and you can often find promo codes for even deeper discounts. Additionally, the annual rate includes many features and benefits that are extremely valuable for website owners, including the ability to create up to 100 subdomains, basic privacy protection, real-time monitoring and security tools, and excellent customer support. .
Step 3: Once you’ve filled your cart with domains, click proceed to checkout. At this point it’s time for some extra features! You can pick from three different types of privacy and security coverage as well as a “Coming Soon” page that will be automatically set up when we receive confirmation on whether or not Mailgun has agreed in providing these services for our customers (and at no additional cost).
If you’re not sure whether you need these features or not, we recommend that you leave the default selections and continue to the next page. However, if you feel confident in your choices, go ahead and make any changes before moving on.
Step 4: Continue to your cart and carefully review your purchase summary. If you’re looking at the long term, it could be worth your while to purchase a domain for multiple years. Doing so not only locks in the current price but also saves you the hassle of having to renew it every year. For example, GoDaddy charges less for 1-year domains than they do on 2+year plans— shaving off some extra cash each month that can really add up over time with this kind of discounting strategy (and who doesn’t love saving?). 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.
Step 5: You’ve just completed the final step to get your new domain name(s)! 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. Now all that’s left is for us to review and confirm everything.
Domain.com
How to Register a Domain Name from Domain.com
Domain.com is one of the most popular domain registrars, with over 1.2 million websites registered through them. They offer a simple process for buying domain names, and feature some of the most popular top-level domains (TLDs), such as .com, .net, and .org. Their prices are very affordable, with most domain names priced in the $9.99-$12.99/year range. However, it is sometimes possible to get an even better deal on your domain name by waiting for a special sale. For example, they have been known to offer domain names for as low as $2.99/year during their sales.
- 1-year domain ownership.
- Free SSL certificate for extra security.
- Automatic email forwarding to your domain.
- DNS registration and management tools.
Although the price is a little steep at $8.99 per year for domain privacy protection, it’s worth every penny! Not only will your personal information not appear publicly in WHOIS/ICANN directories with this feature but also registrars run extra security checks on all their customers’ domains when they purchase additional services like these two-step verification options that ensure you’re safe from hackers and identity thieves alike.
How to Buy a Website Domain Name on Domain.com.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to buy a domain name from Domain.com:
Step 1: Go to Domain.com and enter the name you want to register in the search bar. Before you buy a domain name, it’s important to do your research and make sure that the domain you want is available. Once you’ve verified its availability, you’ll need to choose your domain extension. The most popular domain extensions are .com, .net, and .org. However, there are many other options to choose from as well.
Step 2: After you’ve selected your domain extension, you’ll be taken to a page where you can select how many years you want to register your domain for and your domain renewal period. This can be anywhere from one year to five years. After you’ve selected your domain extension and renewal period, you’ll be taken to the checkout page.
Step 3: Checkout page: Here, you’ll need to provide your billing and payment information. Once you’re finished, review your choices and then proceed with checkout. By following these simple steps, you’ll be able to purchase your desired domain name in no time!
Bluehost
How to Register a Domain Name for Free (Using Bluehost)
If you’re looking to get a free domain name, one option is to go through a web hosting provider such as Bluehost. They offer every new user a free 1-year domain name with any of their hosting plans. This means that you can either register a brand-new domain name with them or transfer an existing domain name over to their platform. Note that the downside of getting a domain name from a hosting provider is that renewals can be more expensive. For example, Bluehost currently charges $15.99/year to renew a domain name.
After the free year expires, most hosting providers will charge a higher fee for renewals, as compared to dedicated domain registrars. However, if you’re just looking for a free domain name for 12 months, this could be a good option for you.
Namecheap
How to Buy a Website Domain Name from Namecheap
Namecheap is one of the most popular domain registrars, with over 3 million domains registered through them. They offer very competitive prices on all their services, including domain names. In addition, they frequently offer coupon codes and discounts that can save you
Some Other Hosting Providers Who Also Have A 1-year ‘Free Domain’ Policy:
- Dreamhost
- InMotion Hosting
- HostGator
There are many Domain name registrars on the market today. Check out our full review of the best domains registrars available so you can easily choose one that meets your business needs.
Now you are well informed with all you need to know on how to buy a website domain name. All you need to do now is… get started on building your website. Congratulations!
Bottom Line
Registering a domain name is an easy process that can be completed in minutes. Just make sure you have the following information handy: your desired domain name, contact information, billing information, and password.
Once you have all of this ready, sign up for a domain name at one of the many registrars available online. And that’s it! You’re officially the owner of a registered website address and on your way to putting your business or blog online.
Leave a comment below if you have any insights to share on how to buy a website domain.
