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.
Choose The Best Domain Name Option
When youre checking for available domain names, youll often find that your first, second, and tenth choices are already taken. Some of the different approaches you can take when this happens are:
- Keep searching. Let your creative juices flow, and continue to search until you find something you love or at least like.
- Choose another extension. If the .com isnt available and youre set on a certain name, consider the .net or .org if you think it will work.
- Reach out to the owner. Maybe the domain is already owned, but its not being put to much use. You could reach out to the owner with an offer.
How Can Hostinger Offer Domains For Free
We do it because for many years we have proudly been an ICANN accredited registrar! Pair that with partnerships with multiple renowned registrars and a massive user base! This gives us the opportunity to share in our privilege by being able to provide the best to our users.
We at Hostinger, believe that the power of the internet to everyone. Thats why we provide hosting for some of the lowest prices in the industry and add a domain for free to boot!
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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.
Our Recommendation: Register A Custom Domain Name For Free
At the risk of sounding redundant, you technically can host a website without owning a domain but youll likely pay more in the long run. Sure, youll save a few bucks a year, but what about the quality, speed, and reliability of the hosting service powering your pride and joy?
Free hosts offering free subdomains rarely offer customer support. If you get stuck somewhere along the publishing process, your only hope is the community forums and Google. Someone has probably experienced your issue before, but was it resolved? Do the instructions make sense? Alternatively, you could sign up with a cheap hosting provider that offers top-notch support from highly qualified experts, available at a moments notice at all times of the day or night, through a variety of communication channels.
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What To Do When You Are Finally Ready To Start Your Website
What happens when you are finally ready to associate a website with your domain name? At that point in time,you will need to carry out the rest of the steps in my article onHow to Create Your Own Website.
Briefly, this means that you’ll need to get a webhost, go back to your registrar’s website, log into your account , and pointthat domain name to your website. Then you’ll of course have to design the website itself, perhaps byusinga web editor like Expression Web or someother thing. Please see my mainwebsite design guidefor details.
How To Register A Domain
Buying a domain might seem like the final step in the domain registration process, but it is just the beginning of your journey as a website owner. To register a domain, you need to provide domain registration information, verify your new domain ownership, and configure DNS. Below we will review how to register a domain name in three steps.
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Dont Lose The Domain Name
Renewing your domain name is critical to ensuring that you can continue to use the domain name. If you have selected the auto-renew option with your domain name registrar, this step is as simple as ensuring that you have up-to-date payment information. If your domain name expires before youve renewed it, the name becomes available for purchase by others and you risk losing use of the domain name.
Choose The Right Domain Name
Businesses usually choose a domain name that reflects the name of their business.
If that’s not available or not suitable, in general the best domain names are:
- short and punchy, such as yahoo.com
- easy to remember, pronounce, spell and type
- alliterative, for example beyondblue.org.au
- also available for registration via social media channels
Some people argue a good domain name is one that people are searching for online and come up in search engines for example, Melbourne plumbers.
Others argue a good domain will be unique or distinct so it stands out in search engines, and you won’t have to compete for web traffic online because of searches for popular terms.
Whatever you choose, you can use to check your ideas against popular search terms.
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What Are Domain Name Extensions
Domain name extensions help categorize different domain names. Its a special hierarchy, invented for the Internet.
You can choose among popular top-level domain extensions such as:
Or go with a local domain extension such as if you want to focus on building a presence in a specific country:
Also, theres a bunch of creative domain extensions, launched recently. You can try playing around with them to create a shorter, brandable name. For example:
If The Domain Is Taken Input The Url In Your Browser And Access The Website
What do you do if the domain isnt available? We have good news. You still have a chance at buying it.
First up, access the URL on your browser. Its possible its a parked domain, which means that someone bought it for the purpose of reselling it. Usually, in these cases, you can easily submit a request for purchase. Heres one example of a parked domain at greatstore.com:
When you click on the top banner, youll be taken to a form where you can reach out to a sales team to buy the domain.
Once there, it may or may not be easy to tell who the domain parking authority is. In this case, its GoDaddy. If you head to the GoDaddy website and search for the domain, you can easily find pricing information and then immediately add it to your cart if its within your budget.
Complete the domain buying process just as you would for any other domain.
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How Do I Get A Free Domain Name
Purchase an annual Web Hosting plan or any annual Managed WordPress plan by GoDaddy and you’ll automatically qualify for a free domain.
Once you click Add to Cart for a hosting or WordPress plan, you’ll be given the option to select monthly or annual terms. Make sure to choose an annual term if you want to get the free domain.
Once you’ve found the name you want, just add the domain to your cart and continue to checkout.
What Happens If I Dont Renew My Domain Name
If you didnt set auto-renewal or forgot to manually do so despite the reminders from your domain registrar, your domain name will expire. This means several things:
- Your website will no longer be accessible by anyone who types your URL.
- The domain name will be available for sale again, typically in 30-days or so after expiration.
- It can also be auctioned on a website domain auction.
In essence, failure to pay a renewal fee means lost access to your domain.
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Choose A Reliable Domain Name Registrar
Whether you are purchasing for a business or personal website, you have to secure and register your domain name through a certified registrar. There are a vast number of options to choose from, so this can be tougher than it sounds.
It is crucial to analyze and clearly understand the policies of any domain registrar you may potentially use because the goal here is to find one that can manage your domain name for the long haul. Consider the following when assessing your options:
- Check the transparency of the processes of the company
- Read its rules and policies for domain expiration
- Ask for any additional services that they may provide
- Look for a reliable customer support service
- Check the amount of security provided
- Read reviews of other users about their experience
Pricing, of course, is another thing to pay attention to. Youll want to examine the initial price tag and any renewal payments to avoid problems later on. Make sure there arent any hidden fees that will surprise you later on.
Some of the most popular domain registrars have been mentioned above in our Golden Eggs. We love Hostinger as a reputable all-in-one option.
With Hostinger, you can set up all of the essentials to get your website off the ground and accessible to visitors. Search for a domain name, select the best available option, then choose your Hostinger hosting plan, and youre all set in 15-30 minutes.
Cost To Buy A Domain Name
While you can get a domain for free, you may want to purchase one instead. A free domain will contain a designated prefix of the registrar, which is best if youre establishing an online presence or only temporarily need a website.
If you want your website to professionally stand out and grow with your brand, however, then invest in a domain name.
With Wix, the cost of a domain name depends on several factors, including:
-
The plan you purchase
However, all Wix premium plans come with a domain for one year, which cost between $14 and $39 a month. After a year, you can renew your domain for anywhere between $13.95 and $15.95 a year.
You can also purchase a domain that already exists from another person or business. This is why having a desirable domain name can be good for your bottom line if you ever want to sell it, you can make significant money. For example, in 2001 hotels.com was sold for $11 million. In a 2012 interview with BBC Today, hotels.com CEO, David Roche explained that at the time, this was considered a crazy sum of money. He then added, Now we look back and think, what a bargain.
Small Business Expert and Marketing Blogger
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How Much Does A Domain Name Cost
When you buy a domain name through domain registrars, you register it for one year with the option of a multi-year registration. You will be able to renew your domain name registration when the initial period finishes, and will usually be alerted by the registrar to do so. Domain names are also sometimes included in your web hosting plan and if not, usually offered by your hosting company.
Domains purchased through Mailchimp are priced based on the TLD you choose, such as .com or .net.
A domain name with a common top-level domain, such as .com, can be had for as low as $12.99 per year, and promotions are often available. Internet domains purchased through Mailchimp also come with free WHOIS privacy protection and a Secure Sockets Layer certificate to provide your website with free verification and encryption.
You do need to have a web hosting plan to put your site online, but you dont need to have hosting to purchase a domain. Assuming you have a business or blog name in mind, its possible to reserve your brands name for the future by purchasing and registering your domain name now. Then youll have plenty of time to consider how to build your website.
How To Buy A Website Domain For Ever
As we explained, domain names are not for complete sale. Essentially, you are reserving domain name usage for a set period . But you can keep renewing your domain name as many times as you want to.
While you cannot buy it out for good from a registrar, you can hold on to your domain name for as long as you are paying your renewal fee.
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What Type Of Domain Names Can I Register At Domainscoza
We offer all South African ccTLD and gTLD domains International TLDs and gTLDs domains are also available, including all the most popular .com .net .org .biz and .mobi.With more than 1000 new gTLD domains being added to the internet, we will constantly update our list of available domain extensions.
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Best Tips Before Buying A Domain Name
Having a good domain name is essential since it can add extra credibility to a website, spread brand awareness, and ensure that users can find you on the internet. Thats why its crucial to dedicate some time to research before choosing the right domain name for your site.
Here are 15 tips to review before deciding on a domain name:
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How To Claim A Domain Name And Secure Your Website Url
Did you come up with your company name and are working on your website? Reserve your name before someone else takes it! Heres how to claim a domain name and how to secure it.
Coming up with a domain name for your website can be confusing and time-consuming. Some people coin domain names from their names, but it does not always work well for businesses.
Once you have decided on a decent name, you need to claim it to prevent anyone else from taking it. You also need to protect it from possible disputes, trademark violations, and domain squatting.
The following guide on how to claim a domain name should help you understand the process.
Claiming a domain name requires strategy. Observe the following practices to invent an appropriate URL for your website.
Can I Transfer My Domain Name To Hostinger
Yes, its possible to transfer domain names from another registrar to Hostinger.
However, there are a few requirements before transferring a domain to your web hosting account:
- More than 60 days must have passed from the registration or last transfer date.
- You must have the domains auth-code from your current registrar.
- The domains WHOIS privacy protection has to be disabled.
- You have to point your domain name to Hostinger.
- The domains status cannot be Pending Delete or Redemption.
To transfer a domain to Hostinger, go to the Hostinger Transfer Domain page and enter your domain name. Then click Transfer.
After finishing the order and entering the domain EPP code, the transfer process will begin and youll receive an email regarding the domain transfer that you will have to confirm.
The domain registration will also be renewed for a year after the transfer, except for ccTLDs like .es, .co.uk, or .com.br.
Keep in mind that your website might be unavailable during the DNS changes, which can take up to 24 hours to propagate fully.
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How To Search For Domain Names
Choosing a domain name is not easy. You may want to learn how to search for domain names to see whatâs currently available and to generate ideas to help you come up with a unique website identifier. You can see the full list of the available top-level domains on the official ICANN website. Or, use other resources to learn more about website extensions and understand which one would be the best for you. While it’s recommended you choose your website name based on your brand image and the type of content you will host, various domain name generators online can help you get some ideas.
The Name Should Reflect Your Interests
Your website will become your ground for implementing all your digital efforts. Therefore, selecting a domain name which communicates your product is important.
When developing a domain name, you should think about how the name looks and sounds. Avoid making the name too long for your audience to remember. Furthermore, some platforms like Twitter limit the number of characters.
The domain name has to appeal to the market and evoke the desired inference for it to attract traffic to your website. A strategy which works for many businesses is forming a name from their brand. Such names promote the awareness and recognition of ones brand on the market.
If you havent developed a brand yet, you can incorporate a witty call to action in the domain name. The name should draw the attention of the desired audience at a glance.
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