What Is A Domain
A domain is an identification string that is the address to your web presence. You need to have a domain to create a website and associated custom domain email addresses for your business. This makes it easier for your potential customers to find you on the internet, locate information, or contact you. All they have to do is type the name of your domain to land on your website. In ‘name.tld’, ‘name’ refers to the name of your business, and ‘tld’ or top-level domain denotes .com, .net, .online, .site, etc.
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.
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.
For example, a .com or .biz extensionmight be best for an eCommerce business. On the other hand, if you plan to create a blog to keep an online journal, an extension like .me can be an excellent solution.
Dynadot Domain Registrar Service
A quality registrar that excels everywhere
Reasons to buy
Most domain name registrars offer a simple identikit service with little to separate them from the competition, but Dynadot is an interesting exception which has some unusual advantages.
This starts right at the beginning, with your initial search. You can use the website much like any other type your preferred domain, press Enter, read the results but you also get Bulk and IDN search tools, and advanced options allow defining which domain extensions to include in your searches, as well as setting those as defaults for all future searches.
These searches can optionally return results from domain auctions, Dynadot’s Marketplace and other sources. There’s also a Backorder option to try and grab a domain that isn’t currently available, if it’s not renewed.
Prices are on the low side, with Dynadot offering both special deals on some extensions and good value at renewal. For instance, .com sites is priced at $8.99 for initial price and same for renewal. If youre after a .co.uk domain, thatll set you back $6.95, .org is $8.99 initially, $10.99 on renewal, and .mobi domains are $5.99 initially, $17.99 on renewal.
This requires a small fee and won’t always be allowed , but it’s still a welcome extra you’ll rarely find with other registrars.
Reasons to buy
Founded in 2000, Namecheap is a popular domain name registrar and web host which now manages more than five million domains.
Reasons to avoid
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How Do I Buy A Domain Name
Its easy to get a new domain. Here are the steps:1. Decide on a domain name extension. The extension is the part at the end of the domain name .net, .biz, .org or .com, for example.2. Think about what you’d like on the other side of the dot. It could be your business name or your specialty.3. Type the domain you want into the box at the top of this page. We’ll tell you if that particular domain is available and show other you may like better.4. Pick a domain, add it to your cart and check out. You are now the proud owner of your very own domain. As long as it’s registered to you, no one else may use it.
Don’t Use Nonletter Characters
Make sure your web domain is easy to share in everyday speech. If you force your users to spend time saying things like “There’s a hyphen between …” then you probably don’t have the best URL for your company. Simplicity is important, so refrain from special characters and using numbers as letters.
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Web Hosts And Domain Names
You needn’t go to a dedicated registration service to buy a domain name, though. The best web hosting services, such as DreamHost, HostGator, and Hostwinds routinely offer a registration mechanism as part of the sign-up process. Hosting services typically offer a free domain name when you sign up for a web hosting package.
Keep in mind, however, that free domain names are usually free only for one or two years, after which the registrar will bill you for the annual or biennial fee. In other words, the provider of the free domain name pays only for the first billing from the registrar. Also take note of whether or not the provider charges a fee for setting up a domain name. Most services offer to transfer an existing domain name to their servers at no cost, but sometimes you’ll find a setup fee over and above the registrar’s fee.
Please note that not all web hosts give you the option to register a domain name. Cloudways, for example, is a solid web host that requires you to purchase a domain name from elsewhere.
Registrars offer a wide variety of registration durationsone year, three, five, and even ten. Be careful about registering for more than a year, though. First, there might be restrictions on your ability to transfer the domain name should the registrar give poor service. Second, the registrar could go out of business, leaving your domain name without a host. Check the policies closely.
Choose The Right Web Address
In general the best web addresses:
- reflect the name of your business
- are three syllables or less, such as Yahoo!
- are easy to remember, pronounce, spell and type
- are alliterative, for example beyondblue and Firefox
- are also available for registration via social media channels.
Some people argue a good web address is one that people are searching for online and come up in search engines, for example Melbourne plumbers. Use the tools to check high search terms.
Others argue a good web address will be unique or distinct, such as for Google so it stands out in a crowded market, and won’t have to compete for web traffic online because of searches for popular terms.
Read Also: How Long Does It Take To Increase Domain Authority
Consider Your Domain Extension
How your web address ends is just as important as the portion that comes after “www.” Though there are scores of TLDs currently in use, just over 22% of all registered domains use “.com,” making it the most widespread and understood extension on the web.
“The .com is always the way to go,” said Samantha Phillips-Varneke, search and social specialist at Kiwi Marketing Group. “It’s the ‘default’ that people tend to type into their browsers.”
Your domain extension also may depend on your type of organization. For example, certain TLDs, like .edu and .gov , have certain requirements. If your small business is a nonprofit organization, for example, you may be able to register an .org URL.
Is Domain Name Privacy Protection Worth It
To put it simply: yes, yes, and yes.
To put it a little less simply: When your domain is registered, you’re required to maintain a publicly viewable WHOIS database that displays all your contact details â including home address and phone number. This puts you at risk of spam and identity theft .
Luckily, you can keep your info hidden from the public eye by opting to use HostGator’s Domain Privacy Protection. Interested parties will still be able to contact you if they so please, but your identity will remain anonymous â aka super top secret. Learn more about Domain Name Privacy.
Read Also: Can Gmail Host My Domain Email
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.
Check For Trademark Infringement
Both major and minor brands alike take issue with others using their trademarked names. Even if youve just made an innocent mistake, the legal hassle involved in a lawsuit and having to rearrange your web presence could be costly.
You can avoid these situations by using a trademark lookup tool before you finalize your choice.
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Who Can Register A Domain Name
Anyone… but some extensions have registration rules or restrictions. For example, you can only register a .ltd.uk if you are a limited company and the domain is an exact match to your company name. Most extensions like .com, .co.uk and many more, are open for everyone to register. If you’re uncertain about the rules, you can check the information icon next to each extension in our search results.
The Companies Featured And Why They Were Chosen
This shortlist of domain registrars has been compiled based on a few crucial factors, including how easy it is to register a domain name with the company, pricing, market popularity, track record, and any perks that come with the domain name.
Based on the above, the companies featured in this guide are:
GoDaddy are currently leading the domain market, with a market share of ~16% and more than 54 million domain names registered. When it comes to domains, GoDaddy are the main players.
Namecheap are a lot smaller, with only a fraction of the market share, but theyre proving to be an excellent choice. This is down to affordable pricing out of the gate, cheap domain renewals , good perks and nice web hosting offers.
SiteGround are one of the leading companies in the WordPress hosting market. While theyre not the first that comes to mind when thinking domain names, theyre actually a very efficient, hassle-free solution especially if you want to take your new domain name and launch a WordPress website on top of it .
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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.
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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?
Why Should I Choose Namescouk
Were here to help your business grow. Your online adventure starts with your domain name, which is why we have a huge range to choose from, with great offers to get you started for less.
Once youre on board you can enjoy unrivalled UK based support and freebies with all domain names you buy. Not to mention, access to loads of support articles and business tips to help you on your journey!
The following suffixes are on offer when registered for 1 year using the embedded voucher code – .co.uk and .uk and .com. The offer prices are: .co.uk and .uk – free. .com – £1.99. These offers entitle you to one .co.uk or one .uk and one .com at the offer price per account. Additionally, the following extensions will be offered at the prices shown when registered on site for one year: .net – £8.99, .org – £7.99, .info – £6.99, .biz – £6.99, .org.uk – £0.00, .uk.com – £19.99, .website – £3.00, .site – £3.00, .tech – £5.00, .store – £5.00, .fun – £3.00, .space – £3.00, .app – £12.00, .london – £14.99, .online – £3.50. Please note, for EU customers VAT rates payable will be subject to your country of residence. Offers are for the first billing period only, do not apply to renewals, cannot be used in conjunction with any other offers, cannot be used where free domain offers have already been redeemed and may be withdrawn at any time at the discretion of Namesco Limited. Standard terms & conditions apply.
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Register And Buy Your Domain Name
When you find a domain name that works for you, its time to buy and register it. You pay every year to keep your domain name there is no one-time domain payment.
Most domain registrars allow you to enable an auto-renewal feature so you dont lose your site after a year by forgetting to make your next payment. Once you have made the payment, register your domain name with the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers , which makes you the owner of it.
Registration may take a few days, but once it does, the website is yours!