Best Practices For Buying A Good Domain Name
Some brands choose to add keywords in their domain name to help it rank better in search. You can create a brand name with a keyword in it like the brand EraseCosmetics.com. Adding keywords to your domain name allows people to immediately know what you sell on your store. This works best for niche stores. If you choose a domain name with a keyword in it, make sure the keyword is popular.
For example, a store name with the keywords cycling shorts is restricting. However, having the cycling keyword allows you to sell more products within that niche. However, the downside to having keywords in your domain is that it can restrict what you sell over the long term.
For example, if Amazons website was called AmazonBooks.com, theyd eventually have to change their domain name as they began to expand their product collections. Having keywords in their domain name wouldve made it more challenging to grow their brand to include other products.
If you heard a domain name from a friend or on the radio, would you know how to spell it? Some words can sound the same but are spelled differently like read and red or feat and feet or pair and pear. Avoid using homonyms in your domain name as it can lead to incorrect spellings of your domain.
How Do I Permanently Buy A Domain Name
Its not possible to permanently own a domain name since its not a one-time purchase the maximum period of registration is ten years. You will need to pay and renew your subscription if you want to keep using the same domain name.This is to cover the maintenance costs or domain tax collected by the ICANN.As the number of registered domains grows, the tax increases. Hence, registrars need to adjust their pricing accordingly, which is why the renewal fees are more costly than the registration prices.
Trusted The World Over
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Namecheap has been a trusted partner for our critical domain names. As we continue to grow, we know we can always count on them.
Dylan Field, Co-founder and CEO, Figma
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We’ve been using Namecheap for all our domains for years, and have always been able to count on them. Their technology just works, and their support is phenomenal. Highly recommended!
Alan Schaaf, founder and CEO, Imgur
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With a high value domain name like Privacy.com, it’s important to use a registrar that you trust. We can sleep at night knowing that Namecheap is keeping our asset secure.
Bo Jiang, CEO, Privacy.com
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Namecheap has quickly become our default registrar for the various domain names we use as part of our Buffer offering. A clear and intuitive dashboard combined with wide support across a number of top-level domains and a responsive team add up to an unbeatable experience.
Colin Ross, Engineering Manager, Buffer
Frequently asked questions
Above all else, we strive to deliver outstanding customer experiences. When you buy a domain name from Namecheap, we guarantee it will be handed over to you with superior standards of service and support. Our primary goal is to build a customer-focused atmosphere filled with the happiest customers in the galaxy. The Namecheap guarantee is our mark of excellence.
Products might be the same, but every customer is different. Thats why we tailor our deals to suit as many people as possible. So you get exactly what you need, for less.
Still have questions?
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Buy Your Domain Name On A Dedicated Website
Both ways have their advantages and disadvantages. When you buy your domain name on a service like Godaddy, you will be using a service offered by a company whose core business is buying and selling domain names.
For example in my case, I want to buy my domain name Twaino.com
In my case, the domain name www.twaino.com is available: the domain available, be the first to buy it. So, I want it, I just have to add it to the cart, then pay, and I will be renting the domain name for a certain period of time.
Where Can I Buy A Domain Name
Its important to buy a web domain name from a certified registrar that manages internet domains. Wix is a GDPR compliant platform and Wix sites have SSL/TLS certificates allowing visitors to submit information securely via HTTPS. As a certified registrar, Wix provides a reliable web hosting service and the highest level of domain safety and security.
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What Are The Parts Of A Domain Name
Domain names are typically broken up into two or three parts, each separated by a dot. When read right-to-left, the identifiers in domain names go from most general to most specific. The section to the right of the last dot in a domain name is the . These include the generic TLDs such as .com, .net, and .org, as well as country-specific TLDs like .uk and .jp.
To the left of the TLD is the second-level domain and if there is anything to the left of the 2LD, it is called the third-level domain . Lets look at a couple of examples:
For Googles US domain name, google.com:
- .com is the TLD
But for Google UKs domain name, google.co.uk:
- .com is the TLD
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Do It Yourself With A Content Management System
If youve got some skill, you can build a site using a popular CMS like WordPress.
Want to build a WordPress site but dont feel like handling all the technical stuff on your own? You might want to check out our easier way to get started with WordPress.
GoDaddys Managed WordPress Hosting features a Quick Start Wizard to get your new WordPress website up and running in a snap. Featuring eight pre-built customizable pages, easy drag-and-drop page building, and quick access to thousands of WordPress plugins, theres virtually no limit to what you can create.
Youll also get 24/7 support, core software updates and patches, free daily backups and one-click restore, a free domain with an annual plan and more.
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Domain Names And Ip Addresses
When we look at the internet as a whole its essentially a network of computers connected to each other. Each of these computers is assigned a unique IP address that identifies that computer alone. IP addresses resemble a random string of numbers, which look like 67.454.66.3.
But, could you imagine having to remember that unique string whenever you wanted to visit a website?
It would be a pretty frustrating experience.
So, instead, we have domain names that stand in place of these unique IP addresses. For example, we can look at an IP address as the GPS coordinates of your home, while your domain name could be your street address, or even the more informal name, Jims House.
They all reference the same thing, but some methods are easier to remember.
Increase Professionalism With A Domain
An often-overlooked benefit to registering a business domain is the ability to create and use domain-specific email addresses. Many small business owners still use free email services like Gmail or Yahoo to communicate with their customers.
Consumers are becoming more tech-savvy, and they expect the businesses they use to have a certain level of professionalism. In a highly competitive market, small differences like having a business email can be the factor that tips the scale in your favor.
Related: How to use a custom domain name for email
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How To Buy A Domain Name With Namecheap
The market is flooded with domain registrars. But Namecheap is definitely my favorite. Its super easy for anyone to buy a domain using this registrar, even if its your first time.
This method is a bit more straightforward than using Bluehost, only because youre not bundling any other servicesNamecheap is strictly for buying a domain.
The entire process can be completed in just three quick steps.
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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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.
Find A Custom Domain For Your Site
Whether youre working on a blog, an online portfolio, or an online shop, Mailchimp offers custom domains that can make all the difference to your online presence. And theres no reason to stop there. Use Mailchimp to build your website and connect it to our all-in-one marketing platform to really make your offerings stand out from the rest.
Learn more about how to get a free domain name from Mailchimp and how our offer compares to the competition.
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How To Get Domain Privacy Protection
Multiple registrars give domain privacy protection for free as long as you have a domain that was registered through that company, and as long as the TLD of that website supports privacy then it comes automatically with the domain.
If the domain name is purchased through a registrar that doesnt automatically give privacy protection, then it will need to be purchased. Prices tend to fall in the $10-15 a year range per domain.
For many that price is well worth the benefit.
Tlds Or Domain Extensions
The top-level domain , also known as the domain extension, appears at the end of a domain name, after a period. Think .com, .org, or .io. There are three primary types of domain extensionsgeneric top-level domains, sponsored top-level domains, and country code level domains.
Generic top-level domain
Generic TLDs include extensions such as .com, .org, and .net. Generic TLDs are either unsponsored and managed through ICANN, or sponsored and coordinated through entities such as private companies or nonprofit organizations.
Sponsored top-level domains
Sponsored top-level domains include extensions like .gov, .edu, or .post. With sponsored TLDs, entities outside of ICANN are in charge of processing and regulation.
- .gov The .gov domain extension strictly refers to sites run by the U.S. government. Among other responsibilities, the General Services Administration is in charge of assigning domains with .gov extensions to those who meet the right criteria.
- .edu Short for education, the .edu extension is for U.S. schools and universities. EDUCAUSE is a nonprofit association that focuses on learning advancement through enhanced IT, and also serves as the domain registrar for all .edu sites via a contract with the US Department of Commerce.
- .post This specialized domain extension refers to sites that deal with global postal policies. The Postal Union, a United Nations agency, sponsors this branch of extensions.
Country code level domains
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How Much Does A Domain Name Cost:
For the majority of domain names with a .com extension, you should not expect to pay more than $10-20 a year. Newer domain name extensions like .bio, .app, or .digital will end up being expensive because they have fixed wholesale prices negotiated between the ICANN and the registrar. Others like .biz and .net are inexpensive to register because they dont pack the same type of punch.
Its worth mentioning that a domain name is not a one-time purchase. Youre also required to be a renewal fee every year, which generally costs a bit more than what youll pay to register the domain. This is because the majority of registrars offer discounted pricing to first-time buyers. In addition, youll need to pay an additional amount if you include any add-on in your domain name purchase. Popular add-ons include privacy protection, custom email address, and on-demand backups.
Verify Domain Name Ownership
The final step is to verify the domain ownership through the email address you used when registering the domain. The email usually arrives within a few minutes after finishing the domain setup. Simply click the verification link in the email to verify your contact information.
If the email doesnt arrive, resend the request from the control panel. We recommend doing it immediately, as waiting for 15 days or more will lead to a temporary suspension from the registry.
Thats all there is to it. Now you know how to buy a website domain name and complete the initial registration process.
Expert Tip
To make the most out of your newly acquired domain, consider authorizing it with the Google Search Console. This will provide you with important analytical insights and make it easier for Google to crawl the content of your site.
First, log into your Google account and head to the Search Console page. If you want your entire domain to be crawled, enter the URL in the bar on the left. Once thats done, click Continue and youll be presented with a code. Then, copy it and do not close the tab.
Now, log into your Hostinger account, head to the hPanel, and on to the DNS Zone Editor. Under Manage DNS Records, select TXT as the Type. Unless youre only adding a specific subdomain to the Search Console, leave @ as the Name. Next, copy the code youve received previously as the TXT Value. We recommend leaving the TTL Value as the default. To finish it all off, click on Add Record.
Darius G.
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When Do You Need To Buy A Domain Name
According to Verisign, there were over 367 million domain registrations close to the second quarter of 2021, a 0.7% decrease from last year.
While domain name buying is slowing down, this shouldnt placate you. Its much harder to buy a domain from its owner than register it yourself. So, you should buy your desired domain name as soon as you know it, as you dont want someone else to take it.
If you have an idea for your domain, you are already on the right path to choosing a domain name.
When buying your domain name, consider purchasing any other names you want. That includes domains for your:
- Customer support program
- Customer loyalty program
If you want to use a domain in the future but not immediately, you can install a coming soon page on your domain with a WordPress extension like SeedProd. You can also park your domain. Domain parking is widespread, as ICANN estimates 52.95% of domains are currently parked.
What Can I Do With A Domain
There are lots of things you can do with a domain name. We’ve picked out the most popular reasons for wanting a domain name below.
Set Up a Website at your Domain
To create a website, you will need to set up web hosting and assign your domain to it. Then you will need to add content or upload your files and publish. Web hosting isbasically storage space on a server. You upload your content to the storage space and publish it to make it available for others to view online.
Whether you are looking to design your site from scratch or would like to use WordPress to build your site, Freeola has a selection of hosting options, which are suitable for everyskill level. We even have our easy-to-use website builder, Really Quick Sites , which makes it easy to build a responsive site for free, in minutes.
Every GetDotted domain comes with a free one-page website to get you started, with use of our easy-to-use website builder RQS.
Set Up Unique Email Addresses at your Domain
You can of course create custom email addresses at your domain. Whether for personalor business use, it’s a great way to ensure that you stand out.
Your GetDotted domain comes with one free email address at your domain, if you’d likemultiple email addresses and the ability to synchronise email across all of your devices,EmailPro is our cheap email service, offering you unlimited addresses at your domain.
Protect Your Identity and Ideas
A Highly Profitable Investment
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