If Its Not A Parked Domain Find The Owners Contact Information
If you find that the domain has a fully built-out site, then its not a parked domain. The domain is being used by a real business. Luckily, you still have recourse if you want to buy the domain.
First, determine how likely it is for the owner to sell the domain to you. Does the website look like its been recently updated? Is it under construction? How many snapshots does it have on the Wayback Machine? If the website looks outdated or has just a few Wayback Machien snapshots, its more likely youll successfully start a conversation with the owner.
For example, the domain mellowbee.com looks like a good candidate because its had only a few Wayback Machine snapshots over the years and the current website is made up of one page.
The owners email is at the bottom, so its easy to reach out.
If you cant find the owners contact information on the site, try searching for the owner through ICANN. Keep in mind that a good portion of domain name owners hide their contact information for privacy reasons.
How Much Does A Domain Cost Each Year With 1& 1
Besides having a reputation spanning decades, 1 and 1 has some of cheapest domain in the domain industry. You might pay anywhere between $0.99 to $2.99 on your first year and thereafter $14.99 yearly.
Some of the features to expect include free email account, private domain registration, unlimited email forwarding, an SSL certificate, DNS management and more.
Shopify Domain Name Cost
Shopify is well-known for being one of the most comprehensive ecommerce platforms in the industry. However, the platform also offers a range of other features, including domains. Every domain purchased through Shopify comes with essential privacy features to help keep your information safe and secure, as well as email forwarding to add a layer of professionalism to your correspondence.
Shopify includes email forwarding, this allows you to set up an unlimited number of forwarding email addresses to the destination of your choice . Plus, with its WHOIS privacy, Shopify keeps your personal information safe and will never display your info on public registration records.
Domains purchased through Shopify starting at $14 a year are registered for one year and can be canceled at any time. A domain name and additional security features are included when you purchase a website building plan with Shopify. These plans also include some of the most powerful ecommerce services in the industry.
For more information about Shopifys pricing and plans, read our Shopify Pricing and Plans guide. Or, simply start a Shopify free trial and test it out for yourself!
Read Also: How Much Is Google Domain Email
Find A Reputable Domain Registrar
In order to claim your desired domain, you need to go through an ICANN-accredited domain registrar. The registrar will manage your domain and keep track of renewals. Therefore, research a domain registrars reputation and its terms and conditions before signing up. Some registrars have hidden feessuch as for administration and renewal feesthat push the domain name cost higher than it should be.
Your Domain Name Should Be Optimized For Search Engines
A keyword in the domain name wont give you a huge advantage over your competitors in terms of search rankings.
However, it can give you a slight edge, which is nothing to scoff at given how crazy the competition to appear on the is.
That being said, it is not necessary, so if you cant find a way to incorporate a keyword in your domain name then dont push it.
Read Also: Is Info A Good Domain
Connect Your Domain To A Cms
This is an optional step but can help you manage your website with ease. A CMS, or content management system, gives you full mastery over your content. It’s easier now more than ever to connect your CMS to your domain name with HubSpot’s Custom Domain Connection.
With this tool, you can connect a custom domain, establish your brand, and create a beautiful user-friendly website in minutes.
Dont Forget The Extra Costs
Its easy to focus so much on purchasing a domain name that you forget about the additional costs associated with it.
Obviously, a domain name is not a one-off purchase, it needs to be renewed every year, which will generally cost you the same amount of money that you paid to get it .
However, then there are also various add-ons that you can buy, the most popular of which is privacy protection that ensures that your personal or business details dont come up when people look up your domain name.
Generally, these extra costs dont add up too much but its still something that you should keep in mind.
Read Also: Who Is My Domain Hosting Provider
Renewal Fees And Contract Length
Once you purchase your domain name, keep in mind that you also have to renew the name after the first year or whenever your contract expires. The frequency with which you need to renew your domain name will vary depending on your initial contract. Sometimes, you can get a discount on the domain when you purchase it for a longer time frame.
Regardless of your contract, make sure that you set your domain purchase to auto-renew upfront. An expired domain can be costly and troublesome to your business. While you can still renew your domain for a few weeks after it expires, the site will not be displayed to customers, which can result in lost business. A site that doesnt work can also damage your brands credibility and SEO. The registrar might also charge additional fees for websites not renewed within a particular window of time. You even run the risk of someone else purchasing the domain name if you wait too long after the expiration to renew.
Can You Get A Free Domain
Yes, anyone can get a free domain name. However, like many other free offers, a free domain name isn’t really free. The free domain name usually comes with a package of other services that you still have to pay for. So, in reality, you’re still paying for the domain.
The real question is how much you need to invest in your new domain name. It is part of your cost of doing business if you want to have a presence online. Instead of looking for a free domain, it’s better to look for which domain provider has the best reputation, overall cost for domain names, and offers other optional services at a good price.
When comparing providers, make sure to include any “hidden” costs, how much guidance or help they provide, and what current clients think of their services.
Pros for getting a free domain
- It wont cost you anything extra up front
- Its included with your other services youre already paying for
Cons for getting a free domain
- It’s free, so it might not be the exact domain name you wanted
- It comes with a package of services that you have to pay for, and you probably don’t need all of them
- It sounds good, but might be a scam. Make sure you’re dealing with a reputable registrar
If your site’s user experience is less than great, your website can lose ranking in search engines. That means you’ll get less traffic and fewer sales.
You May Like: How To Change Your Wix Domain Name
But Exactly How Much Do They Cost
As we stated previously, the myriad of packages, incentives, and overall pricing of domain names ranges greatly. To a novice, the first glance at purchasing a domain can be overwhelming. They might find themselves questioning whether or not a domain name can truly be purchased for one low cost of $9.99.
The answer is yes, it is possible, but its not always the case. A good rule of thumb when it comes to buying domain names is that inexpensive can be expensive. Sometimes a cheaper deal is too good to be true and the hidden fees blindside the customer. On the other hand, if your domain is available and you choose a reputable registrar, that cheap, inexpensive, and seemingly perfect package is absolutely worth it.
Thus, we encourage you to do your due diligence and research the experiences certain customers have had with different packages offered by registrars. Take these packages and further execute a domain name price comparison between other registrars.
Lastly, remember that the type of domain name registered is always going to influence the price. Take Domain.coms pricing for example. It ranges from as little as $1.99 per year all the way through $649.99 per year depending on which domain you select. Each registrar will differ in their pricing, but the more you compare, the more consistencies you are going to discover.
Domain Privacy Can Be Free
Domain registration information is available to the public through the Whois database. At any time, someone can look up a domain and see who registered it:
In practice, this means your contact information is public knowledge. As such, most domain registrars will offer you extras such as domain privacy or Whois protection to obscure this data:
Since you can get Whois protection for free depending on the registrar, it doesnt make much sense to pay an extra dollar or two to set it up. When youre shopping for a domain, make sure your registrar doesnt try to upsell the feature.
Some domain registrars that offer free Whois protection include:
Don’t Miss: How To Steal A Domain
Get A Domain & Start Your Website
Now that you have an in-depth answer to how much does it cost to buy a domain name?, you can decide how you want to go about buying yours. If youre ready to get started with your website on your new domain, . Mailchimp provides the support and resources you need through all of the stages of setting up a new website.
Bring your brand to life with your own website. Design from scratch, connect a domain, analyze traffic, and optimize for SEO.
Hidden Fees On Website Name Price
If you comb through the dozens of complaints raised against domain registrars and website name price, the first thing that jumps out is that almost 60% touch on billing and collection issues with the companies.
Auto-renew and transfer out fees are some of the most common ills. Many times, such elements are hidden within the lengthy Terms of Service which few of us ever bother to read. Some domain registrars will charge you a transfer out fee when you transfer your domain to another registrar. Sucks, right?
Should that ever happen to you, give your credit card company a call and put in a complaint. If luck falls on your side, the transaction the web hosting/domain registrar will be reversed. More importantly, take note of domain registrars who practice this so as not to become the next victim.
Recommended Reading: Where Can You Buy Domain Names
Cost Of A Domain Name That Is Already Owned
Just how much is the cost of a domain that is already owned? Well, not as cheap as registering a new one. Having the right domain counts a lot when you look to having a business or platform that will catch the attention of web users. Dont we all also hate lengthy domains that put our minds to task when we try to remember them?
But have you ever thought of a domain name and tried to get it only to find that its already registered? Of course you will have the option to opt for other extensions but if thats not your wish, you will certainly have to try your luck in the aftermarket domains market.
Domain Name Structure Explained
The structure of what we usually call a domain name is made of two parts: the actual name and the extension . Its important to understand this, in order to avoid registering the wrong one. Unlike the English language, domain names are read from right to left. This explains why the Top Level section is actually the last part to appear in your URL.
SLDs: The Second Level Domain is the actual name of your domain. In many ways, your SLD is the identity of your website and should therefore represent your services or products. For example, taking the domain wix.com, the SLD part would be wix.
TLDs: A top level domain refers to the last segment of a domain name, after the last dot in your URL. The most common TLDs that youve encountered when browsing the Web are .com, .net, .edu, and .org. Here are the main groups of TLDs that businesses and particulars can acquire:
Did you know? Youve probably heard about the word URL. This abbreviation actually describes what you see in your browser when youre reading a web page. Its made of the following elements, from left to right:
The transfer protocol + The machine name + The Second Level Domain Name + The Top Level Domain Name + The folders and directories
Dont Miss: How To Tell When A Domain Was Registered
Recommended Reading: How To Switch Domain Names
Premium Domain Name Cost
Premium domain names are pre-registered high-quality aftermarket domains that are more brandable and memorable. These domain names are available for sale at a high price that can go up to millions of dollars.
People invest in these premium domains by purchasing high-quality aftermarket domains to sell later at a higher price for profit. The price depends on the uniqueness of the name, domain, length, and overall brand potential.
The difference between a regular domain with a premium aftermarket domain is the length of the domain name. High-quality domain names are often short, closely associated with a service or industry, and have popular TLDs like .com, .in, and .net.
The most expensive domain names sold include LasVegas.com for $90 million, CarInsurance.com for $49.7 million, and Insurance.com for $35.6 million.
The benefits of registering a premium domain name are:
- Easy to remember. Visitors or your target audience wont misspell or confuse your website with a different name as premium domain names are more intuitive.
- Better branding. Premium domain names cast your business in the best light, giving credibility that increases visitors trust.
- Better search ranking. A business working in a specific industry can get higher traffic by having a premium domain name, such as Insurance.com.
- Investment. The more people use the internet, the higher the prices of these domains can go since they will be able to reach more customers.
The Difference In Price For Domain Names
One of the many important decisions youll need to make is what domain name to choose. Not only do you want a name thats easy to remember and represents your company well, but you also need to consider the cost.
Domain names can vary in price, depending on the extension, and some registrars will offer discounts for multiple years of registration. Here are some factors that influence the costs.
Donât Miss: How To Find Out Who Owns Domains
You May Like: How To Become A Registrar Domain
Assign Domain Ownership To Corporate Entity
Never register a domain name under an individual persons name. To do so is to risk losing it if that individual leaves the company. And reclaiming ownership of your domain could take years and a lot of money. A domain name should always be registered to the name of a corporate entity, so that its continuation is ensured irrespective of the individuals who come and go from the business. If online anonymity is an issue for you, you can always activate domain privacy, a simple and inexpensive way to hide your personal details.
How To Register A Domain Name For Your Website
If you want to build a website, you need to buy a domain name. Registering one can be a daunting task for newcomers, but our helpful guide walks you through the process.
Since 2004, I’ve penned gadget- and video game-related nerd-copy for a variety of publications, including the late, great 1UP Laptop Parenting Sync Wise Bread and WWE. I now apply that knowledge and skillset as the Managing Editor of PCMag‘s Apps & Gaming team.
My career has taken me through an eclectic assortment of fields, and connected me with people from all walks of life. This experience includes construction, professional cooking, podcasting, and, of course, writing. Ive been typing up geeky takes since 2009, ultimately landing a freelancing position at PCMag. This blossomed into a full-time tech analyst position in 2021, where I lend my personal insight on the matters of web hosting, streaming music, mobile apps, and video games.
Read Also: How To Get A Free Domain Name Forever
Can I Get A Domain For Free
If youre just testing out an idea and messing around with building a website, most of the big DIY website builders offer free plans. You can even get a domain name, but it will look something like this:
- username.wix.com/yourwebsite
- yourwebsite.weebly.com
- yourwebsite.wordpress.com
If you want to share your website, blog, or ecommerce store with the world, the risk of relying on these free subdomains could mean losing creditably from your website visitors and potential customers. Compare that to the more professional and simple like, yourwebsite.ca.
Why A Good Domain Name Is Important
A domain name is your unique identifier among billions of other websites on the web. Thats 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 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, lets move on to the how-to part.
Recommended Reading: Transfer Shopify Domain To Godaddy
You May Like: Can You Buy A Domain Name Forever