Avoid Hyphens Or Numbers
You should keep your domain simple. This means avoiding using hyphens and numbers. These two are a distraction that people tend to misunderstand.
Take note that people getting to hear about a website or those who intend on buying a website dont know whether there is a character/numerical. If you make your website difficult to find, searchers will get discouraged. You may even be sending them to a competitors site.
Costs Associated With Buying A Domain Name
As I mentioned, domain name prices may vary based on whether youre purchasing from an ICANN registrar or a web host. And although Ive found that most often, theyre all pretty close as far as basic domain costs go, sometimes prices can vary widely.
The most expensive type of domains are those considered Premium domain names, such as martialarts.com, or golfshop.com. These are domain names that are short, extremely easy to remember, and a snap to find. If you think you might want to invest in a Premium domain name, you can check out more at BuyDomains.com.
The point is, there are different prices for different domain names and different extensions. Shop around for the best prices and the gTLD that suits you.
In addition to purchasing the domain name itself, there are a few other expenditures youll need to decide on:
Transfer Your Domain To A Different Domain Registrar
If your domain is managed by a provider that doesn’t support all the necessary DNS records, you can transfer it to a different registrar. When you transfer the domain, you change who you send payments to in order to renew and keep your domain name.
Request the transfer at the registrar that you want to move your domain to. Look on their website for an option such as Transfer DNS. After they make the changes, it can take a few days to update across the Internet.
Also Check: How To Make A Minecraft Server Domain Name
Dreamhost Best WordPress Hosting
If you want to host a WordPress site, DreamHost is a top choice that offers a free domain with its annual plans.
On top of a free domain name, you also get a 97-day money-back guarantee, unlimited storage, and unlimited bandwidth so you never have to worry about running out of space. With automatic WordPress installation and a free WordPress drag-and-drop site builder, it doesnt get much easier.
Plus, there are only two plans to choose from, which helps eliminate overwhelm when deciding on the best package for you. If youre just starting out, the Starter plan is more than enough.
Both come with a complimentary domain name for the first year as long as you sign up for a one-year agreement.
At just $2.59 per month for three years in advance or $2.95 per month for a one-year agreement, it costs less than a cup of gas station coffee per month.
To sweeten the deal, the Unlimited Plan starts at $2.95 per month with a one-year agreement, making it the same upfront cost as the Starter Plan. If you opt for the higher package, youll be able to host as many websites as youd like while still enjoying the easy WordPress setup and free domain name.
As you grow and need more from your hosting provider, DreamHost offers DreamPress , VPS hosting, cloud hosting, and dedicated servers.
So it easily scales alongside you to deliver all of your hosting needs without ever needing to migrate elsewhere.
Get Started Online With The Right Domain Name
Your domain name sets the tone for your online presence, and finding the right one can take time and effort. But, with options ranging from entirely free to five figures or more, anyone on just about any budget can buy a domain name to launch a business or a brand.
Domain.com has the tools you need to continue building your business into a success.
Kristin Crabb
Content Marketing Strategist working in the digital marketing industry. Skilled in SEO-focused content creation, keyword research and competitive analysis, interactive content, web content optimization, and landing page creation.
Read Also: How Do I Get My Domain Name Back
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.
Purchase Your Domain Name And Complete Its Registration
Once you settle on a domain name, its time to purchase it. When you buy through Mailchimp, well let you know the annual cost of the domain name as well as any available discounts.
During the checkout process, youll be required to enter your contact information, including an email address, to register the domain.
Recommended Reading: How To Build A Website With Your Own Domain Name
Set Your Calendar To Remind You Annually Of Your Domains Renewal
Consider putting a month or six weeks notice to go over your existing terms with the domain registry.
Take the time to discuss with your current domain registry on pricing and other possible packages you can avail when you renew.
Should you need to find another registry, having, a few weeks of buffer should give you enough time to transfer your credentials without having to deactivate your website during the transition.
How To Register A Domain Name With Bluehost
Bluehost is a web hosting company based in the United States. Like Hostinger, it also offers a domain registration service. It even includes a free domain name for one year in its most affordable subscription, which costs $3.95/month.
Besides the generic TLDs, this hosting company has a wide array of alternative extensions for various niches such as .ink, .photo, and .guru. While theyre not as popular as .com, they can be an excellent touch to make your website stand out.
To get a domain name from Bluehost, open the Domains page on the site. Then insert a keyword paired with your desired domain name extension on the search bar.
The page will reveal if the domain name is available. If not, choose one of the other options below.
A .com extension costs $12.99/year, which is the average price. On the other hand, the privacy and protection service is $11.88/year.
Click Proceed to start the checkout process. Bluehost will offer to bundle the domain name with a 30-day free trial for a shared web hosting service and a free SSL certificate . An email service plan with Microsoft 365 is also available, ranging between $2.99/month and $3.99/month.
Press one of the Proceed buttons to complete the order. Fill in the billing information and choose a method to pay for the domain name registration fee.
Once done, Bluehost will send a verification email to your inbox to validate the domain ownership. Click on the link, and the domain name should now be usable.
Recommended Reading: How To Create Email With My Domain
How To Create A Custom Domain Extension
There are 1,530 top-level domains according to Wikipedia. You can apply to create a domain extension, however, there are both benefits and risks in doing so. If your new TLD application is successful, you will have signed up to run a registry business and the registered domain names that use your own unique extension are your responsibility.
The benefits include setting the prices and rules, creating a community and enjoying a regular stream of revenue. The risks and responsibilities include the initial investment of $185,000, other ongoing costs, and competition from similar TLDs.
Moreover, when you create a TLD you are starting something completely brand new. There are no guarantees that it would become popular its a serious risk youd have to be willing to take.
Interestingly, it is possible to use your brand name instead of a more traditional .com or .biz, if your company can fulfill certain criteria dictated by ICANN. Apple, for example, may use iphone.apple, instead of iphone.com. The benefits to qualifying and registering a brand TLD include brand awareness and a diversified online presence.
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.
Read Also: What Does Domain Mean On A Computer
How Do I Buy Domain Names
Here are the steps to buy domains:
How To Choose The Best Domain Name
Last updated on June 14th, 2021 by Editorial Staff | Disclosure: Our content is reader-supported. This means if you click on some of our links, then we may earn a commission. See how WPBeginner is funded, why it matters, and how you can support us.
Choosing the right domain name for your website is crucial for your success. If you choose the wrong domain name, then it can be a hassle to switch later on without hurting your brand and search rankings.
Thats why its extremely important that you choose the best domain name from the start.
When first starting out, it can be hard to come up with catchy business name ideas with a perfect domain name.
In this article, well share all the tools and tips you need to get domain name ideas, choose the best domain name, and register your new domain .
14 Tips for Choosing the Best Domain Name
When starting a blog, choosing a domain name can be stressful because you dont want to make a mistake.
To make the process easier, we have a simple 14 step framework that you can use to pick the best domain for your website.
Lets take a look at these tips one by one with more details.
1. Stick with .com
There are plenty of new domain name extensions available today, from the original .com, .net and .org to niche extensions like .pizza, .photography, and even .blog.
We always recommend choosing a .com domain name.
In our opinion, newer domain extensions like .ninja, .photography, and others can make your business appear less trustworthy.
You May Like: What Is Epp Code For Domain Transfer
How To Buy A Domain Name For Your Website
CEO, VPN.com: The $1M Domain Name – We help brands, entrepreneurs, politicians and athletes acquire premium domain names for their vision.
Getty
You’ve settled on the perfect idea for your website. Everything is ready, and there’s just one last thing to consider: how to buy a domain name.
This is a position that many people find themselves in because it’s common to underestimate how difficult it may actually be to buy a domain name. Before someone buys a domain name for the first time, they’re likely to assume that picking it is the hard part after that, they simply find it on Bluehost or another registrar. Sometimes it is that easy, but buying a good domain name is the first step.
Choose A Good Domain Name
Your first step in how to buy a domain name is, of course, choosing the one you want to buy. While there’s a great deal that goes into a name, you can choose a reasonably good domain name by keeping a few principles in mind.
First, it should be as concise or memorable as possible two or three words or a catchy acronym are good. It’s incredibly beneficial to use a respected domain extension such as .com or .co. This is universally better than paying the price for using a cheap .biz extension, which entails willingly associating with spammers and fraudulent websites.
Once you’ve picked out a domain name, it’s time to begin your search.
Search For Your Domain Name
How To Buy A Domain Name That Is Taken
How Much To Buy A Domain Name?
How Do I Check If A Domain Is Available
To check if a domain name is available, just type it in GoDaddy’s search bar and we’ll tell you immediately if someone else already owns it.
We also offer a Domain Backorder service, where you purchase a backorder credit to give you a chance to get the domain you want when it goes to auction.
Read Also: How Do I Transfer My Domain
Domain Name Registration Faqs
Which domain extension is the best?
It is always advised to go for .com domains because they are the most popular and can be easily recollected by the users of your website.
There are several other options available including .net and .org but they are less common and hence difficult for your visitors to remember and look up.
What happens if my domain name registration expires?
Once your registration expires you will lose the authority over the domain names. While some companies offer a grace period for renewal, others have an auto-renewal option which is highly recommended to ensure continuation.
How to register a name for free?
It is not possible to register a domain without buying it. However, domain names can be leased at a fairly reasonable price and hence it is rather a wise investment to secure them for your business.
How to own your domain name forever?
The best way to own a domain name for years is by leasing it for a longer period and renewing the lease on time.
Can domain names be stolen?
Domain theft does occur and to safeguard your domain name, it is crucial to pick a reliable registrar and set up a strong password with additional authentication.
Connecting Your Domain Name To Mailchimp
Whether youve bought your domain through Mailchimp or a third party, you can transfer your domain name and connect it to your Mailchimp account. Once connected, you can use that domain with a custom landing page or Mailchimp-hosted website. If you dont already have a website, Mailchimp offers a free website builder that you can use to make your brand stand out with no coding skills required.
Read Also: How To Create An Email At Your Own Domain
What Is A Domain Name And Why Do I Need One
Domain names are created to make IP addresses easy to remember. Every computer has an IP address assigned to it much like a street address. But instead of having to memorize each IP address number, we assign domain names to these numbers so we can easily remember them. The domain name system, or DNS, takes domain names and translates them into their IP addresses so that computers can communicate with one another. GoDaddy can help you find a domain name that best suits your business so you can easily promote your website.
Having your own domain name can help you appear more legitimate to people who search for you or your business online. With a domain name, you can:
- Create a professional email with your domain name
Where Is The Best Place To Register A Domain Long Term
Since we are not able to buy a domain name forever, the next best thing we can do is to register a domain name for a long period of time.
Personally, for long term domain name registrations, I find Namecheap to be one of the best options as you can lock down a domain name for a maximum of 10 years.
As for their pricing, the .com registration fee is only $9.60/year. So when applying this to a 10-year period, it comes to a total of only $90.60!
As an added bonus, Namecheap also includes free domain privacy forever which many other domain registrars charge $10-$25/yr for!
For more information, you can also see my post on how to get a free domain name!
So if you are willing to pay more upfront, you can actually save yourself quite a bit of money!
You May Like: How To Create A Domain Email In Google