What Do I Do If The Website Name I Want Is Taken
If the domain name you want is already registered, you have a few options. First, check out the recommended, similar domain names in your search results to see if one of those works. You should also consider an available domain name with an extension other than .COM, such as .IO, .CLUB, or .ROCKS. There are hundreds of new TLDs to consider. If youre really set on securing your first choice of domain, find the current registrant using Whois Lookup and see if they are willing to sell it. Learn more
Find A Domain Name Registrar
The non-profit Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers oversees the entire system of domain names, and it allows outside companies, called domain registrars, to sell and manage domain names. You will need to register your domain name through a registrar.
Some of the most popular domain registrars include GoDaddy, Bluehost, and Domain.com, although there are many more to choose from. Be sure to carefully consider pricing and policies for each one before choosing your domain registrar, as it will be managing your domain name.
Do Not Infringe On Copyrights
Always have in the back of your mind that you do not want to tread on other peoples toes. This can be highly upsetting for some and could lead to problems for you later.
If you are a passionate football fan and have decided to set up a website about the NFL, then you would be wise to choose a domain name relevant to the niche, but not to have NFL within the domain name. NFL is a trademark and is copyrighted.
Do your research first. You do not want to have a lawsuit coming at you later.
Read Also: What Is The Best Domain Host
Keep It Short And Simple
When selecting a domain name for your blog or business, its crucial to ensure that its both short and easy to remember. As a result, visitors will have an easier time finding and returning to your website. Also, you must balance comprising relevant keywords and keeping the name concise and easy to remember.
Notably, keeping your domain name under 15 characters is recommended. As longer domain names may be difficult for users to remember and type correctly. Hence, which can lead to a loss of traffic due to typos.
Furthermore, while including keywords can be beneficial, its essential to prioritize a domain name that is short and easy to remember and spell.
Other Domain Name Types
We focused on the different extension types above. The following are the other available structures of domain names:
Second-Level Domain
A second-level domain is below TLDs in the domain name hierarchy. An SLD is the section of a domain name located to the left of the last dot. Take www.hostinger.com, for example hostinger is the SLD, and .com is the TLD.
Some domain name registries use a second-level domain to indicate a specific entity registering. For example, academic institutions in the United Kingdom mostly register websites under .ac.uk.
Subdomain
A subdomain indicates a separate division from a parent domain that still shares the same servers. There is no need to register a subdomain. Technically, the www of most URLs is a subdomain that shows that a site is part of the world wide web.
The most common reason to create subdomains is to organize and divide web content into separate sections. For example, Google uses developers.google.com to provide specific information for developers.
Another use of a subdomain is to create another website with the same name but in different languages. Take Wikipedia as an example it has a separate subdomain for each language. It uses en.wikipedia.org for the English version and es.wikipedia.org for the Spanish one.
Free Domain
A free web address often follows the same structure as subdomains. For example, instead of hostingertutorials.com, the domain would be hostingertutorials.wordpress.com or hostingertutorials.blogspot.com.
Read Also: Where To Buy Website Domains
What Is Domain Locking
Domain locking is a feature that helps prevent domain theft, hijacking or unauthorized transfers of your domain name.Domain locking protects ownership of your domain name, since you must unlock your domain first before it can be transferred.Domain locking comes free with all domain names from Website.com!
How To Transfer A Domain Name
Domain transfer is the process of changing a domains registrar. As domain registrars offer different support and maintenance, some users transfer their domains for better service.
With Hostinger, users can perform a domain transfer from any registrar.
All you have to do is enter the domain authorization code or EPP from your current provider and confirm the transfer. The process can take from 4 to 7 days.
Unfortunately, some extensions are not transferable. However, there is an option to point the nameservers to a particular hosting company if a registrar doesnt accept certain TLDs. You will need to change your nameservers for this.
Note that changing the web server information can only be done from where you purchased the domain. However, if your registrar does not allow changing nameservers, it is still possible to point a domain to a different registrar using an A record.
Pro Tip
Looking for a more detailed guide? Check out our How to point a domain to Hostinger?.
You May Like: How Much Is Wix Domain After Free Year
How Do I Find My Dns Server
In most cases, your DNS server is assigned by your ISP. The simplest way to see and find your DNS server is to use the Command Prompt tool on Windows or Terminal on macOS computers. If youre uncomfortable using these tools, consider asking an IT expert for help.
Its also vital to note that youre not obligated to use the default DNS server and can change this setting. One of the easiest ways to do that is to connect your device to a public DNS server. One of the best solutions is Google Public DNS with the 8.8.8.8 IP address.
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.
You May Like: How To Change Domain Name Of Website
Expand: Morewhen Should I Register A Domain Name
Your chances of getting the domain you want are much better when you register it as soon as possible, which prevents others from securing your domain before you do. Even if youre just starting your new business and havent finalized its name, securing all the names youre considering is a good idea.
What Should I Do First
Before you search for a domain name, zero in on a keyword thats appropriate for a website. Its great if you can find a domain name that includes this keyword. You can also check out many online tools or blog name generators to come up with a domain name.
We recommend you to check our Blog Name Generator Tool.
Once you decide to register a domain name, you may think about registering it across multiple TLDs, to avoid messy copyright issues in the future.
Additional resources:
Read Also: How To Buy A Domain Anonymously
Get A Free Domain With Hosting
As we mentioned above, register domains for your website name ideas as quickly as possible once youve found a cool name for your website. However, its worth noting you can get a free domain when you sign up for a hosting plan in some cases.
Hosting companies like Bluehost offer a free domain when you buy a year or more of hosting. The domain name is free for the first year, and after that, it will renew at its regular rate, which is typically around $10-$15 for a .com extension.
Keep in mind that domain prices vary by extension.
Choose A Domain Name Suffix Such As Com Or Net
After settling on the domain name, consider the suffix. The most popular suffix is .com, although .net and .org are also popular. These are considered to be top-level domains, or the highest-level domain suffixes in the domain naming system.
There are also other varieties to consider, such as country code top-level domains. These domain names end in a suffix that is particular to a specific country. A website in Germany might end in .de, for example.
Finally, there is another class of domain name suffixes called “sponsored, top-level domains,” which are sponsored by a specific community related to the domain name. For example, .gov is for the U.S. government and .edu is for education organizations.
For most websites, .com is the best suffix for its ease of use, but if you have a specialized website, you might consider a country code or sponsored top-level domain.
Read Also: How To Tell Where A Domain Is Hosted
How Much Does A Domain Name Cost
The exact cost of your new domain name will vary based on the registrar, the specific top-level domain you’ve chosen, and the quality of the domain name. Domain.com is proud to offer more than 300 unique TLDs to help your new website stand out. Some domains may be pricier due to their intrinsic benefits, like being short and memorable, or the use of very competitive keywords such as cars.com. Browse our premium domains to jumpstart your website performance.
Make Sure That The Domain Name Is Easier To Spell And Say
You want your domain name to be unique and easy to remember. However, new things are only sometimes good. If you change the spelling of a specific word to get the.com extension or to be cute, you might confuse your audience.
Word-of-mouth advertising is very effective, but it only works if people know how to say your domain. This also makes it easier to remember the name, which makes it more likely that people will visit the site and tell their friends about it.
In the past few years, more businesses have chosen domain names with four letters that are easy to say. In addition to being easy to remember, this is because domains can still have value after they have been sold.
The domain can still be sold even if the business fails. Consonant-vowel-consonant-vowel , like in Snap and Meta, is a pervasive four-letter pattern.
Recommended Reading: How To Set Up Free Email With Godaddy Domain
Targeted Keywords Should Be Used
Keywords are not only for writing content. Search engines use your sites domain name to figure out what its about and help decide where it should rank in search results. So, its essential to use keywords whenever you can.
Your domain name should include keywords related to your website and aimed at your audience. is a tool you can use if youre having trouble coming up with good ideas.
This free tool lets you find keywords people use by looking at how often they are searched for and other factors.
But a domain name only gives you a little room to work with, so you should only use keywords when they fit in with the rest of the word.
Tools That You Can Use For Keyword Research
Tips When Registering A Domain Name
Obtaining the right domain name from the start is important, especially if youre creating a business or personal brand website. Changing domains is not only expensive but also potentially damages search engine rankings and conversion rates.
With this in mind, here are some things to consider when buying a domain name:
You May Like: How To Get A Domain Name For Your Business
Identity And Branding For An Online Presence
With the name of your site, you can tell visitors something about what you offer and your main message.
A companys name is a powerful tool for attracting and retaining customers, and as we all know, a strong brand equals increased revenue.
A good domain name allows you to set up a vision for the identity of your business and gives you more online visibility.
Your business will look more credible and professional if you do this.
Your company is trustworthy and should be taken seriously if it has a personal domain name.
Cost To Register A Domain Name
According to HostGator, domain name cost ranges from free to tens of thousands of dollars, with the average domain name settling around $10-$12 annually. These factors will affect what you’d pay for a specific domain:
- The demand for the particular name you choose
- The TLD domain extension
- The domain registrar you’re purchasing from
- Whether the domain has already been purchased by someone else
- Whether you commit to an annual payment or another payment schedule
- Add-ons such as privacy
Whether you choose a free or paid domain will depend on your budget and your website’s purpose. For example, you might need a basic website or something simple and temporary. In that case, a free domain name might be a good option.
However, paid domain names look more professional and are more likely to grow with your brand. You should ultimately decide what will work best for your business and goals.
Pro Tip: You can get free hosting and link your custom domain to your site for free when you build it with HubSpot CMS.
Don’t Miss: How Do I Get Email For My Domain Name
Picking The Best Domain Registrar For Your Website
Once youve picked out a domain name, youll need to choose a domain registrar, which is the company where youll purchase it. When shopping around for a registrar, here are a few things to keep an eye on:
- Domain transfers. Check out the registrars transfer policy. If its complicated or expensive, keep looking.
- Pricing. Some companies offer lower prices for the first year and then increase them when its time for renewal. You may even be locked into a multi-year contract.
- Expiration policy. If you forget to renew the lease, someone else can take it from you. Therefore, look for a registrar that offers automatic renewals and a grace period.
- Domain privacy protection. As a website owner, youre required to add your personal information to a public database. Domain privacy protection hides your primary contact information to help keep your identity secure.
- Subdomains. You dont have to register subdomains separately. However, youll want to ensure that your registrar makes it easy to add subdomains to your site.
There are plenty of registrars you can use. However, sometimes it makes sense to register your domain through your hosting provider.
How Do I Get Custom Domain Emails With Websitecom
Website.com Elite plans and above include professional emails at your domain name! Custom emails at your domain name enhance yourbusiness reputation and brand identity. They also allow customers to trust that your email and business is legitimate.
Custom domain email accounts come with an email mailbox, and an easy dashboard to manage your inbox, storage, tasks, calendar,automated replies, and much more.
to see how many custom emails accounts are included in your Website.com plan.
Read Also: Does Domain Name Affect Seo
How To Register Your Website’s Domain Name
When you register a domain name for your site, you make it a lot easier for people to find you, ensuring that you reap the branding and marketing benefits of having an online presence.
A domain name is the address that visitors type into their browser address bar to arrive at your website. It replaces an IP address: a random, unique string of numbers that specifies where your sites files are located. While a website domain can be an investment, you can also find one for free, especially if you purchase it with hosting.
In this post, youll learn everything you need to know about registering your websites domain name either for free or for a low cost.
What Is Dns Propagation
All DNS changes occur on one authoritative name server to ensure the DNS servers have the same data simultaneously. These changes happen automatically within 24 and 72 hours. This update or refresh interval is called DNS propagation.
During this period, the Internet Service Provider nodes update their caches with the DNS changes to your domain. While it might seem unusual to wait this long for any updates in the modern age, thats the reality of the current DNS infrastructure.
However, some DNS vendors have created proprietary technologies that allow faster propagation time, and many developers focus solely on this problem.
Also Check: Can I Change WordPress Domain Name
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.
Think About The Long Run
Choosing a domain name is a critical decision that has long-term implications for your business and blog websites. Your domain name plays a significant role in how people perceive your brand. And this can influence their trust and willingness to engage with your website.
Therefore, choosing a domain name that aligns with your brand is a good idea. Eventually, it can help grow your business and stick with the same domain name in the long run.
One of the key benefits is that it saves you from the costs, time, and effort of changing later on. This involves buying a new domain name, redirecting your website, updating marketing materials, and notifying your audience about the change.
Additionally, for businesses and blogs, its crucial to think about scalability and potential growth when choosing a domain name. A generic domain name is more beneficial in the long term, giving more flexibility than a specific domain name.
Don’t Miss: How To Sell My Domain Name Fast