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.
How To Get A Domain For Free
If you already have hosting services, you wont be able to use this method unless youre ready to upgrade to a better plan or switch to a new host. As such, timing is an important consideration if youre set on getting a domain name for free for the next year.
But if youre starting a website from scratch, you need web hosting services in addition to a domain name.
So, it makes sense to bundle them together. Its an easy and affordable way to get everything you need in one transaction while saving a bit of money.
The biggest consideration is choosing the right host for your website. So, lets talk about how to do that.
Why Do I Need A Domain Name
You need to register your domain name because its a key component of your website.
When you register your domain name, you are declaring that you own the domain name and it has become part of the DNS system.
Domain Name System is a system used for finding computer services or information on the Internet by using a unique type of name.
So once you registered your domain name it will create a unique record in DNS space that will point to your web hosting.
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Cheapest Way To Buy Domain Names
If you are looking to buy a domain name, it can be hard to find the best deal and the cheapest offers.
Theres a lot of different Domain Registrars out there and many of them alternate their deals regularly.
With all the competition today, theres simply no need to be paying more for your Domain Name.
With that being said, you always want to take into consideration introductory offers, renewal fees and unexpected costs. This is where a lot of Domain Registrars make their money and pull you in.
Its also essential that you go with a reputable company. One that has the systems, processes, customer support and infrastructure in place.
So if for your looking to create your new website, or you are looking to buy a domain to Flip , then read on.
Id like to help save you the time researching across all of those different registrars.
Instead, you can quickly find where to go to ensure you are buying from a reputable and trustworthy Registrar.
Heres the quick version of this post: NameCheap, is my #1 recommended Domain Name Registrar . They offer the most competitive rates for both new time registrations and renewals. But not only this, they offer the cheapest Web Hosting plans and SSLs so you can purchase all of what you need in one place. If youre looking for just the domain, or if you are looking to start a new website, NameCheap will provide the best pricing and infrastructure for you.
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Heres the cost of the Hosting Packages per year.
Here is BlueHost
Top Rated Domain Registrars To Buy A Domain Name
If you want to buy a domain name, youll need a domain registrar. Heres the best options.
- Bluehost Best for creating your first website
- Domain.com Best for keeping domain costs low
- Porkbun Best deals on unique domain extensions
- Network Solutions Best for locking down domains for decades
- GoDaddy Best domain registrar for protecting your personal data
- Namecheap Best domain registrar for tight budgets
- NameSilo Most affordable domain deals with bulk purchasing
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Use A Discount Promo Code
Often times, domain registrars and web hosting companies will offer discounted prices on domain names for new customers. Usually, you can lock in a low price for at least 1-year of registration with a promo code.
In some cases, you can even lock in a discounted rate for the entire length or your initial registration. So for example, if you buy and register a cheap domain for 1 or more years at a time, you can apply the discount code for that entire first term with a multi-year registration.
This is a good idea to take advantage of because sometimes renewal rates go up after the first year if you only register a name for a 1-year period at a time. By applying a discount promo code for a period longer than 1 year helps you avoid increased renewal rates for the initial time period that your domain name is registered.
Tip: Currently, you can apply the discount code GDD1dom to get a discount on GoDaddy domain names on select names for at least the first year of registration.
Use A Domain Name Generator
If youre not the creative type, you can use a domain name generator to help spark some ideas. Simply enter in some words or phrases that describe your brand or website, and these tools will give you a list of ideas that you can then check for availability.
Bring your brand to life with your own website. Design from scratch, connect a domain, analyze traffic, and optimize for SEO.
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How To Register A Domain Name For Your Website
If you want to build a website, you need to buy a domain name. Registering one can be a daunting task for newcomers, but our helpful guide walks you through the process.
Since 2004, I’ve penned gadget- and video game-related nerd-copy for a variety of publications, including the late, great 1UP Laptop Parenting Sync Wise Bread and WWE. I now apply that knowledge and skillset as the Managing Editor of PCMag‘s Apps & Gaming team.
My career has taken me through an eclectic assortment of fields, and connected me with people from all walks of life. This experience includes construction, professional cooking, podcasting, and, of course, writing. Ive been typing up geeky takes since 2009, ultimately landing a freelancing position at PCMag. This blossomed into a full-time tech analyst position in 2021, where I lend my personal insight on the matters of web hosting, streaming music, mobile apps, and video games.
Search For Your Desired Domain Name
After you have chosen your domain registrar, you will need to search for your domain name and see if its available. For this part of the process, you will want to keep the domain naming tips in mind:
- Keep it short and simple.
- Consider combining what you do with your location for a unique domain name.
- Consider registering additional domain extensions.
- Avoid domain naming mistakes such as choosing a name thats too specific and doesnt allow you to grow, not checking the domain name spelling, or trying to save money by not buying a premium domain.
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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.
Superb Customer Support/help Articles
Registering, managing, setting up and transferring Domain Names can be difficult. Namecheap have a 24/7 dedicated support team that will provide you with all the help and assistance that you may need.
You can contact them via Email, Telephone, or Live Chat which ensures that you get your issue resolved quickly and effectively.
Whats more, there is a full library of Help Articles and Documentation that you provides step-by-step instructions on how to complete desired tasks. Like changing DNS records, changing a domain owner etc.
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Web Hosts That Offer Free Domains
Launching a new website can be a costly endeavor, so we want to help you save as much money as possible.
Many web hosts offer free domain names and affordable web hosting services for beginners to help you get set up and running as fast as possible. Our top recommendations for this include:
If youre on the hunt for affordable hosting that doesnt feel cheap, Hostinger is the way to go.
You can snag a free domain on many Hostinger plans. If you dont need the high-octane power of VPS or cloud hosting, look to Hostingers shared or WordPress hosting for a great deal that includes a custom domain.
Hostingers mid-tier plans for eachPremium Shared Hosting and WordPress Starterstart at just under $4 per month for a 48-month term. Youll need to commit to at least one year up front on those plans to snag your free domain.
For most people, their Premium Shared Hosting plan will do the trick nicely. You get solid speed and uptime , that free domain, and more for $3.49 per month.
The best rate is usually that four-year term, which means youd pay $167.52 at checkout to take care of your web hosting for a good while.
Whats nice is that, if the four-year commitment is a bit too much in terms of either time or money, you can get the same deal on a single-year term. Just be advised, youll be looking at a higher renewal rate after that term lapses .
All three options allow you to snag that free domain, though.
It includes:
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. This category also includes new extensions, such as .xyz, .club, and .online.
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.
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Dont Sweat It Too Much If Your Perfect Domain Name Is Taken And Cant Be Obtained
Okay, so as much as domain names do matter, and having the right one can mean the world to you, if you cant get your hands on what you want , dont sweat it too much.
First of all, something thats more important than anything else even than the domain name itself is to actually get the idea behind your website or business right. If you dedicate yourself to executing that idea and do it deliberately, the lack of that perfect domain name wont hold you back.
Secondly, domain names can be changed later on. Even if you dont have the right domain today, you can always get it later, and then just redirect your website to it.
For example, that is what Sumo a suite of online marketing tools did not that long ago. The domain name they started with was sumome.com, but then, after a while, when they got enough funding, they bought the domain they really wanted sumo.com. In their case, that domain switch was kind of expensive. Their new sumo.com domain actually cost $1.5 million. But dont worry, yours doesnt have to be this expensive. Sumo has actually turned out to be the 83rd most expensive domain name ever.
Create A Concept List
Take your project and write down of all the words, descriptors, phrases, ideas, mantras, etc. that come to mind. Aim for 25 50. Seriously, come up with as many as possible.
Use a thesaurus to help. I like to call this a concept list. Its the list before your final name list.
Some high level rules:
- Dont worry about SEO or keywords that doesnt matter.
- Stick with a .com only. If you are in the UK, Australia, etc. then of course a .co.uk, .au, etc. is also good.
- The shorter the better, generally speaking.
Remember: Its just concepts for now. This doesnt have to be perfect.
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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.
What Do I Do Once I Have Bought My Domain Name
After buying a domain name, you can connect your domain name to a website to publish it to the world. When people type in your connected domain name, theyll see the website youve built. Of course, youll also need a server to host your website on.
First, make sure you write down your login information for your domain registrar of choice. This login information is important when it comes time to connect your domain to your website or renew your domain registration. You can always contact your registrar for help logging in to manage your domain, but its easier to store your login information somewhere safe. You can use a secure password manager if you want to store this information on your phone or computer, or you can simply write it down on a piece of paper and keep it somewhere safe.
When you use a website builder like Mailchimp, you can easily connect your domain name in just a few minutes. Youll also need to choose a web hosting provider, which essentially acts as a server to store the files that make your website work. You can purchase both your hosting package and your domain name separately and connect them to your website using a website builder. However, you also have the option of purchasing a domain name directly through Mailchimp when you build your website.
Bring your brand to life with your own website. Design from scratch, connect a domain, analyze traffic, and optimize for SEO.
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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.
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.
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Hostgator Best For Budget
HostGator is a web hosting company that guarantees uptime 99.9% of the time. It also offers 24/7 support an impressive 365 days a year via phone and live chat.
HostGator is also affordable. There are three hosting plans to choose from: the Hatchling Plan, the Baby Plan, and the Business Plan. If you go with the most affordable plan, youll pay just $2.75 a month for web hosting.
Keep in mind, however, that youll need to sign up for three years of web hosting to receive the lowest monthly price and your domain name is only free for the first year. After that, it renews at $17.99 per year.
But HostGators plans are incredibly affordable, to the point where they make it easy on your wallet if you dont want to settle for the most basic of hosting plans.
If you need shared hosting for more than one site, the Baby Plan allows you to host as many as you need for just 75 cents more per month.
What makes HostGator particularly scalable is their unmetered bandwidth and site storage on all shared hosting plans. That means you can accomodate as many site visits and use as much storage space as you need, within reason.
Most sites wont have to worry about using up too much of their servers resources. And youll never again have to count monthly visits to make sure you dont exceed your limit.
If you prefer a one-year term, the monthly fee increases to $3.95 for the Hatchling Plan and $5 for the Baby Plan, with a free domain for the entire one-year duration.