How To Buy An Online Domain

How Do I Start A Link Website

Hostinger has everything you need to launch a website. Begin by looking up a .link domain via our domain name search at the top to find out if it is available and register it.

Your website will need hosting. We recommend WordPress Hosting its easy to set up via hPanel. Weve optimized it so your website loads fast and guarantee 99.9% uptime. Well take care of the technical aspects for you, but if you run into any issues, our Customer Success team is available 24/7.

If using a content management system sounds too difficult, Hostinger Website Builder makes it easy to get a new site running in minutes. Our builder has a library of fully customizable premade templates and design tools to make your .link website look fresh and unique.

How Do I Transfer Domains To Godaddy

Transferring domains to GoDaddy is simple.

You can transfer up to 500 of your domains to GoDaddy at once in our bulk domain transfer tool. If the extension youd like to transfer isnt listed, you cant transfer that domain name to us.

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.

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How Do I Renew A Link Domain

Domains can be easily renewed via the Domains section of the hPanel. To make it more simple, activate auto-renewal when you are registering your domain well notify you within 30 days of expiry.

We are a web hosting provider on a mission to bring success to everyone who goes online. We do it by constantly improving server technology, providing professional support, and making the web hosting experience seamless.

Does The Country I Live In Effect My Domain Name

While there are country domain names you can use to tell people where your business is based, your location has no real effect on your domain name. When youre buying a domain name, you can choose country-specific domain names such as .it for Italy and .ir for Iran. However, you dont need to know your countrys domain extension or use it to create a website. No matter which country youre from, you can create a website using one of the standard domain extensions, including .com, .net, and .org.

One thing to remember is that certain country-specific domain extensions are only available to residents of that country. For example, you can only register a .it domain if youre a natural or legal citizen of the European Union, so you cant have an Italian domain for an American business. When it comes to .us domains, things are a bit different. Any company or individual thats licensed in or a citizen of the United States can register a .us domain, but these domains can also be registered by certain foreign organizations that have an interest in the United States.

In addition to country-specific domain extensions, there are also domain extensions that are designed for specific types of websites. Schools and other educational organizations often use .edu domains, while official government organizations use .gov domains. While these domains arent all restricted from being used by other organizations, its best to stick to a simple .com domain, so you dont confuse your audience.

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How To Buy A Domain Name Thats Not For Sale

Not every premium domain will be available on a brokerage site or domain marketplace. But if you really want to pursue a specific domain, you still might have a chance.

Similar to the steps we took in the last section, youll need to figure out who owns the domain. If a domain isnt for sale, this step should be a bit easier, and you can probably do it on your own.

Most domains that arent for sale will be linked to an active website. That site should have some sort of contact information on it. You can reach out directly to get in contact with the business owner or decision-maker associated with the domain.

Start with a general inquiry saying that youre interested in buying the domain dont throw an offer out there just yet .

See what type of response you get and if the site owner is willing to sell. Unlike a premium domain thats listed on a domain marketplace, you might have to dig a bit deeper into your pockets to buy a domain thats not currently for sale.

If its absolutely imperative that you secure this particular domain, consider making the owner an offer that they cant refuse.

Just be aware that this wont always work. Its like trying to buy a house thats not for sale. You can knock on the front door and make a cash offer, but the homeowner might decide to stay put.

If theyre willing to sell, use a broker to make sure the purchase goes smoothly. Then immediately transfer that domain to your registrar after you obtain ownership.

Pick A Trustworthy Domain Registrar

The domain registrar is a company that registers a domain name on your behalf, and then gives you full access to that domain name.

The key with registrars is to only use respectable and trustworthy companies. You really dont want to run into any domain problems further down the line when your websites brand is already established and losing the domain would mean trouble.

The registrars we always recommend are:

• SiteGround our top recommended hosting company that also sells domain names.

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Secure Matching Social Media Handles

Getting social media handles that match up with your website will help to establish your brand online. Even if you dont plan on using the social media platform right away it can be helpful to lock down specific usernames.

If the branded version of the username is already taken, then trying adding a qualifier to the end of it. Getting an exact match isnt the most important thing, but try and get it as close as possible.

For every social media profile, it can be helpful to try and match your usernames across various accounts. This will make it easier for your fans to find you across different platforms.

A Summary Of The Most Important Tips For Buying A Domain

Your web address should be considered the flagship of your website or online store. So, when looking for a good combination of top- and second-level domain, its best to leave yourself enough time to find a satisfactory solution. Below, weve summarized some tips that will help you to make this process as successful as possible.

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Avoid Numbers And Hyphens

Imagine asking your 10 friends to spell or pronounce a domain name filled with numbers and dashes. It wont work.

If you choose a domain name with these elements, youre likely going to lose traffic to people who cant remember your domain or effectively tell someone else how to find it. We probably wouldnt have Facebook today if you had to go to Face-Book.com to reach the site.

Register A Short Domain Name

If you can take a word or more out of your business name, do it.

Instead of Kathys Super Duper Delicious Fudge Brownies, consider shortening your business name to simply, Kathys Delicious Brownies. Then, you can buy the sweet and simple domain name, kathysdeliciousbrownies.store.

If your business name is long, figure out if it could be turned into a memorable acronym. If thats the case, you can use the acronym as your domain.

Say your business is called Beach Umbrellas For the Sun. You could turn that into the acronym BUFTS and buy the domain bufts.store.

If possible, avoid having and in your acronym. For example, if you want to type in the domain name for H& M, you might not be sure whether the domain name is just the letters hm.com or handm.com. So, think through your acronym carefully before domain registration.

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Build Your Business By Registering Your Domain

After weighing the benefits and drawbacks of free or paid domains, you should get started on your search for the perfect domain name. Domain names can go quickly and there’s a little more competition than Symbolics had in 1985 so it is important to register the one you want before it is too late.

Registering a domain name is quick and easy, but it does take some time to brainstorm the right name, select the optimal suffix, and find the right domain registrar for you. As such, there’s no better time than now to get started on registering your domain name.

Editor’s note: This post was originally published in February 2020 and has been updated for comprehensiveness.

How To Buy Or Add A New Domain:

What Characters Are Allowed In A Domain Name

Can I Cancel The Registration Of A New Domain

Domain names cannot be changed or refunded, even if you’ve accidentally spelled them wrong . We encourage you to double-check the spelling of your new domain before finalizing the purchase.

Why Can’t I See My Domain?

There are two common reasons why you might not see your domain online just after purchasing it:

Why Do I Get An ‘Error: Improper Telephone Format’

• Example: +1.5556667777

Are There Special Registration Requirements On Certain New TLDs

Why Does My Domain Say It Requires Additional Assistance

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Pros And Cons Of A Gov Domain

The big advantage of a .gov TLD is that it adds legitimacy and credibility to your website. The gov TLD is associated with well-known federal agencies like NASA, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration , and USA.gov. Visitors know that it can be trusted because of its bureaucratic classification and inherent official backing. The branding can help the web user easily identify what you do or the county in which you do it. For example, a private company with the same name as your town could have a .com website but they couldnât have a .gov one.

As mentioned earlier, similar-sounding domains could be used for nefarious or unethical purposes. Citizens could be misled to visit the wrong website, which would not only divert traffic from the official one but could potentially undermine your reputation. Another disadvantage is the relative expense and the more complicated paperwork. Buying other domains is a simple 5-minute process of registering your details and adding your credit card information.

Select Your Domain Name Registrar

The first step is to find a reputable domain name registrar that youll use to register your domain name. While there are many domain name registrars out there, you need to make sure that your chosen registrar meets several criteria:

• They are an ICANN accredited registrar.
• They provide 24/7 quality support.
• They give you complete control over your domain name.
• They offer affordable domain names, several payment methods, and additional options such as domain privacy, bulk registrations, and additional extensions.

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How Do You Buy A Domain That Isnt Available Anymore

If your desired domain is already taken, you generally dont have the option to buy it from the provider even if the address isnt being actively used. However, you can try to locate the domain owner to make an offer to buy the domain. For information on the entire process, from locating to purchasing to the final transfer of the domain, see our article Domain already registered? Heres what to do.

Why Register A Domain Name

Domain names have been around since the advent of the web. The first domain name in history was Symbolics.com, which was registered on March 15, 1985. Today, there are more than 300 million domain names, with millions more added each year.

Your domain name is an important part of establishing your brand. No two domain names can be exactly alike, although they can be similar. Ideally, your custom domain name will be unique and distinctive, so users don’t confuse it with other domain names or different businesses.

In addition, domain names allow users to easily connect to other computer IP addresses. For example, you can type in an address like “Google.com” instead of Google’s numerical IP address of “172.217.13.78.” In other words, domain names make our lives a lot easier.

You might be wondering isn’t a domain name, then, simply a website? Although they are similar, domain names and websites have important differences. Your domain name is the address for your website it is what people use to find your website, which consists of pages, images, and other files.

Choosing a domain name is often the first step when building a website. Read on to learn how to register and buy a domain name.

While a website domain can be an investment, you can also find one for free, especially if you purchase it with hosting.

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Set Your Domain To Auto

Generally, when you register your new domain name, you get to choose the registration period the time span during which the registrar keeps the domain active on your behalf. Most commonly, everyone registers their domain names for either 12 or 24 months.

After that initial period, your domain name needs to be renewed . Otherwise, it becomes inactive. And then, after a short while, if you miss your window, the domain goes back to the pool of available domains, which means anyone will be able to register it.

What usually happens in case someone doesnt make it in time with renewing their domain is that the domain gets snatched by a domain broker or someone similar. Basically, aged domains are valuable in the domain market, plus theres higher chance that the person who originally failed to renew the domain will want to buy it back at some point.

In the end, stay safe by opting to renew your domain name automatically whenever the time comes. Nearly all domain registrars give you this option. Heres what it looks like with Namecheap:

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How Do I Choose The Best Domain Name

Great question! Here’s a few core things to consider when choosing your new domain name:

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