Best Place Where To Buy Domain Names
- 0
Many people talk about how difficult it is to find the right web host, and the same thing can be said about how to buy a domain name. There are hundreds of such services available online, and technically they each fulfill the same function. However, that doesnt mean theyre all equal.
Just as with web hosts, not all domain registrars are the same. Choosing the right one can save you money in the long term and can make your life easier, depending on what its management features are like. Thats why it pays to do a little research before committing to any one solution.
In this article, were going to talk about what domain registrars are and the differences between their services. Then well provide you with a few tips to help you choose the right one. Lets get to it!
What Is Whois Domain Privacy
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers is the organization that governs the rules and regulations for domain name registrations. ICANN requires, for various reasons including to determine ownership of a domain should a dispute transpire, that a publicly accessible database be maintained that contains the contact information of all domain registrants. In layman’s terms this means your domain name will be searchable by anyone and those search results will include your full name, physical address and other contact information. In order to protect your privacy in this regard, MyDomain offers WHOIS Domain Privacy which then masks your information using our own and implements a procedure for you to control who is able to then gain access to your contact information via a WHOIS search. Whenever you buy a domain name, no matter what domain name registration service you use, you are subject to the same ICANN rules, for this reason it is important to use a reputable service who cares about your privacy. MyDomain always recommends enabling WHOIS Domain Privacy.
Choose The Right Domain Extension
When picking the extension or TLD for your domain name, .com is still the best choice unless you have a reason to choose something else. Roughly 43% of all domains have a .com extension, making it what people expect to see the most.
While Google confirms that your choice of TLD will not impact rankings, it does affect consumer perception. Many people view other TLDs as less trustworthy.
That said, .net or .org extensions are not uncommon, so they can be good secondary options if you find the perfect name and the coveted .com isnt available.
But if you do decide to go with an extension other than a .com, make sure you take a look at what type of website is currently on the .com extension. Someone is bound to go there accidentally while looking for your brand. If the site holds fishy or offensive content, you might want to steer clear of that name altogether.
Finally, avoid those niche domain name extensions like .space, .club, .pizza, unless you really think theyll enhance your brand.
Recommended Reading: How To Get Net Domain For Free
Tell Me What To Do Already
Okay, there are always tradeoffs with these things. Some additional convenience in one area costs you less convenience in another area. Same for security, pricing, and so on.
So, with all that being said, and taking all of the above into account, heres my general advice:
- If you want to launch your first WordPress website on a brand new domain name: Get the domain and hosting from the same company. Start with hosting research whats available in the market , and pick the best host for your needs, then get the domain from the same company.
- If you want to launch more than one website, or youre planning to expand your portfolio rather quickly: Get the domains and hosting from separate companies. Preferably two companies: All of your domains from one, and all of your hosting from the other. This gives you more room to move around and adjust your setup altogether in case your goals change or anything happens.
They say, dont keep all your eggs in one basket, but lets not go crazy here. I believe that both approaches buying your domain name and hosting from the same company versus from two separate companies have their place, and the right choice depends only on your requirements.
So whats your final decision? Are you buying your next domain name from a web hosting company or from a domain name registrar?
Buying An Existing Or Expired Domain Name
Take caution when thinking about purchasing an existing or expired domain name.
Its a good idea to use the internet archive, Wayback Machine, to check out what that domain led to in the past. Basically, it gives you a snap-shot of the website that was up at a given domain at various points in time. It doesnt have every domain and website, but if youre looking to spend the extra money to purchase an existing domain, its worth a look.
While purchasing an existing or expired domain name could potentially help with traffic and Search Engine Optimization , that traffic may not be the kind you want. You never want to purchase a domain that has a bad reputation, may send bad traffic or might be banned in . While youre checking out the archives, its a good idea to also check the domains status at bannedcheck.com and ismywebsitepenalized.com to be sure you really want that site.
You May Like: What Is The Io Domain Used For
How To Buy A Domain Name
When I purchased my first domain name, I did everything wrong. There wasnt a whole lot of information out there, and I didnt even know that I could buy a domain andbuild a website in the same place. All I knew was that I was going to start a new business, and I needed to be on the World Wide Web.
I didnt know:
The good news is that I struggled with all of this already, so you dont have to!
Need to choose a domain name?
Read our article Whats a Domain Name?. Think through your options. Follow the dos and donts. And when youve found your domain name, read on
Youve Bought A Domain Name Now Do This
So, these were the 10 fun ways for everyone wondering what to do with their purchased domain names.
The possibilities are endless, you just have to decide what you have your passion in and what can be profitable for you on the long run.
The best option to use your purchased domain is to make a website/blog around it. Eventually, this can become your own online business and you could add more elements to it in the future.
So, what have you thought about using your domain?
Are you still worried about what to do with your domain? Got any idea that I didnt cover?
P.S.If you liked this article, you would also like the article 10 mistakes to avoid when building a successful blog from scratch.
You May Like: How Much Should A Domain Name Cost Per Year
Use The Domain For Branded Vanity Url
Sometimes the best use of a idle, unused domain can be to simply make it your branded custom link shortener. If youre asking what is a link shortener, it is a small, custom domain that is used to shorten any link for the purpose of making it branded and easy-to-remember.
Link shorteners can also be used to track clicks of that particular URL.
For example, my portfolio URL is http://www.swadhinagrawal.com/ which is great but I make it even more sweeter and easy-to-remember with my vanity domain swdh.in so when I have to share my URL with anyone I just give them http://swdh.in.
You can also use this very domain to share articles on the web with a shortened URL like you liked this very article you could use your domain to make the URL like http://example.com/domain-guide or even shorter like http://example.com/shduHt
Here is a complete guide to using your domain names as URL shorteners.
Do You Own Your Website Domain The Common Mistake Made By Hoteliers
Today, hoteliers have a lot of choice when it comes to managing their digital marketing. Gone are the days of having to rely on expensive agencies or web developers to handle it all. New technologies have emerged, from DIY website builders to complete hotel marketing solutions, that are far more cost-effective and give hoteliers greater flexibility and control. But buyer beware: Not all technology providers are created equal. Without asking the right questions, you could find yourself short-changed.
At Leonardo, we work with thousands of hoteliers looking to drive more direct bookings at a lower cost. New customers sign up to Vizlly, our digital marketing solution, to do just that. But one of the common mistakes we see being made has to do with their domain ownership.
Recommended Reading: Transfer Squarespace To Shopify
Verify Ownership Of Your New Domain
Paying for your domain might seem like the last step in the process, but you also need to verify your ownership. This step lets you send email using the domain and keeps other people from using it without your permission.
If you purchase your domain through Mailchimp, this process is simple. Youll receive a verification email after you complete your purchase. Simply click on the Verify Domain button in the email and follow the instructions on the next page, and you can start using your domain to build your brand. Youll only ever have to complete this step once.
Make It Brandable Not Generic
Creative, memorable domain names are always better than generic ones. After all, your domain name is how people will find, remember, and spread the word about your business on the internet. Its much better to have something that aligns with your brand instead of a domain name thats made up of a bunch of general keywords.
For example, can you tell the difference between cheapcarinsurance.com and affordableautoinsurance.com? Which one would you trust when it comes to buying insurance? Probably neither. Both sound a little spammy, and theyre terribly generic.
On the other hand, youll probably know where the domain names progressive.com or geico.com are going to point you to. Those companies have invested in their brands, and theyve used them in their domain names. You can trust that these sites are legitimate.
Even if you havent built up trust and loyalty yet, you can start by choosing a strong domain name that fits your brand.
Read Also: How To Transfer Squarespace Domain To Godaddy
Verify The Ownership Of Your New Domain
The final step is to verify the domain ownership through the email address you used when registering the domain. The email usually arrives within a few minutes after finishing the domain setup. Simply click the verification link in the email to verify your contact information.
If the email doesnt arrive, resend the request from the control panel. We recommend doing it immediately, as waiting for 15 days or more will lead to a temporary suspension from the registry.
Thats all there is to it. Now you know how to buy a domain name and complete the initial registration process.
Tip from Darius
To make the most out of your newly acquired domain, consider authorizing it with the Google Search Console. This will provide you with important analytical insights and make it easier for Google to crawl the content of your site.
First, log into your Google account and head to the Search Console page. If you want your entire domain to be crawled, enter the URL in the bar on the left. Once thats done, click Continue and youll be presented with a code. Then, copy it and do not close the tab.
Now, log into your Hostinger account, head to the hPanel, and on to the DNS Zone Editor. Under Manage DNS Records, select TXT as the Type. Unless youre only adding a specific subdomain to the Search Console, leave as the Name. Next, copy the code youve received previously as the TXT Value. We recommend leaving the TTL Value as the default. To finish it all off, click on Add Record.
Over To You: I Have A Domain Name Now What
So, here are the 10 different ways to use your domain name. You could either start a blog and earn money with it or flip the domain at sites like Dan or Godaddy to make some quick bucks. One more potential use of a domain lying around can be using it as a vanity URL and redirect it to your resume or social media channels.
I hope we gave tried to answer your burning question, I bought a domain now what?. If you have any other creative uses of domain names feel free to comment below.
You May Like: Transfer Squarespace Domain To Godaddy
Find A Custom Domain For Your Site
Whether youre working on a blog, an online portfolio, or an online shop, Mailchimp offers custom domains that can make all the difference to your online presence. And theres no reason to stop there. Use Mailchimp to build your website and connect it to our all-in-one marketing platform to really make your offerings stand out from the rest.
Learn more about how to get a free domain name from Mailchimp and how our offer compares to the competition.
Find Your Domain Host
Don’t Miss: How To Transfer Squarespace Domain To Godaddy
Can I Buy A Domain Name Without Hosting
Yes, you can. Domain registration and web hosting are two different services. You dont need to buy or have a hosting plan to register a domain name.Check if your preferred domain name is available, then buy and register it at a domain name registrar.Whether you have a website or not, the domain name will be yours as long as you renew the registration before it expires.
Run A Domain Name Search
Now that you have found a registrar through which to register your domain, the next step is to perform a domain name search.
When choosing a domain name, make sure to pick the right domain extension as well its the suffix at the end of a web address. Domain name extensions are also referred to as top-level domains .
There are different types of domain extensions available, such as:
- Country Code Top-Level Domain . This kind of TLD represents a specific country, letting both users and search engines know that a site is designed for visitors from a particular region. An example of this is the .us domain, which is the ccTLD for the United States.
- Sponsored Top-Level Domain . Its a type of TLD restricted to certain types of groups and organizations. Some of sTLD examples include .mil, .gov, and .edu.
- Generic Top-Level Domain . Its the most common type of TLD it doesnt rely on a country code and can be used for general purposes. A few examples of gTLDs include .com, .org, and .net.
When deciding on the extension that is suitable for your domain, look for a TLD that represents the purpose of your website. Choosing the wrong suffix can confuse visitors and make your brand name prone to being misinterpreted.
For example, a .com or .biz extensionmight be best for an eCommerce business. On the other hand, if you plan to create a blog to keep an online journal, an extension like .me can be an excellent solution.
You May Like: How Much Should A Domain Name Cost Per Year