Dont Believe That Boring Is Brandable
And why will there always be another domain name? Because the domain name should always follow the successful business. Sure, you have to have something to start out with but it doesnt have to be perfect. And it doesnt even need to make sense. Why?
Because first, boring domain names are just that boring. Who wants to get books from bookstore.com or search the Internet at searchengine.com or buy jackets from wintercoats.com.
No! We buy books from Amazon, search the Internet at Google, and buy jackets from TheNorthFace.com.
Thats because domain names are really memory hooks if a customer knows your business, then theyll know your domain name .
How To Search For Domains At Godaddy
The worlds biggest registrar, GoDaddy has searching for domains down to a science. GoDaddy has an easy to use domain name search tool for mobile and desktop users, as well as a few other options for securing just the right domain name.
Simply follow these steps to register a domain name with GoDaddy:
1. Visit GoDaddy.com
Open up your preferred browser and go to GoDaddy.com. Once the home page loads, youll see a search bar where you can begin your domain search.
2. Enter your domain in the search bar
Enter your preferred domain name, and click Search. At this point, one of two things will happen:
If your domain name is available, great! Youll be presented with the opportunity to add it to the cart.
If your domain name isnt available, youll be prompted to search for a new domain name or select a different variation.
The good news? Even if your domain name is already taken, GoDaddys suggestion tool will list new ideas, with different extensions or variations, that you can review.
If you like one of the options, great! If not, enter a few of your other domain options into the search bar until you land on one thats available.
Pro tip: Dont shy away from different domain extensions. While .com is still one of the most widely registered domain endings, the availability of hundreds of new domain extensions gives you the opportunity to register a domain that perfectly represents who you are and what you do.
Go ahead, give it a try:
Other ways to search for domain names
How Much Does A Domain Name Cost
The cost of your domain name will depend on a couple of factors:
- The extension you use.
- Where you buy the domain name a reputable registrar, a private seller or an aftermarket service?
- The length of time youre registering the domain for as well as additional options chosen such as domain privacy, etc.
In general, regular domain names range between $10 and $20 per year, depending on the extension and available discounts or special promos that registrars have active.
If youre looking into buying a premium domain, you can expect to pay upwards of hundreds of dollars. However, there is no definitive answer nor a minimum range for premium domains.
The best way to get a feel for the domain cost is to enter the potential domain name in GoDaddys Domain Appraisals tool and to browse sites like Afternic and GoDaddys Domain Name Aftermarket.
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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.
Negotiate Without Emotional Attachment
Whatever you do next, dont become emotionally attached to the asset when you start negotiating a price for the domain name. Ultimately, this would add headache, stress and more money to the equation. When buying your domain name, you must not become emotional with any owner. Emotions should be checked at the door when entering into any active negotiation. Remember that a negotiation is a give-and-take and should always try to create a win/win for both buyer and seller.
Once you agree on terms in most instances you would then either enter into a contract or purchase and sales agreement with the prospective seller, or simply move right to one of the formidable escrow providers such as Escrow.com.
Contracts and documents can become tricky and need to be completed diligently and professionally if necessary. You will also need to have proper legal representation to make sure you are protected accordingly. Documents can get stuck in legal, or need board approval and can certainly slow down the overall acquisition process.
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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.
Watch Out For Hidden Fees
As with any purchase decision, price can be a big factor. It’s easy to be lured into buying a domain at a very low price. But don’t be fooled. Some domain registrars offer promotional pricing at an extremely low cost, but then hide lots of fees in the contract, lock you in and charge high renewal rates. Generally, be aware that registrars offering rock-bottom domain prices may have other, less-than-ethical ways to make money. These tactics include:
Adding in hidden costs Many registrars rely on the fact that most people don’t read the fine print. Before you make a domain purchase, review the registrar’s terms of service for any questionable terms, obligations or fees. Be sure to check what the renewal rates will be, and make sure you’re buying only what you need and want.
Making you pay to edit your WHOIS or RDAP listing The details of any domain registration must be published to the public WHOIS and RDAP directories, and registrars should allow you to change these details as needed, without additional costs. Watch out for registrars who charge an “administration fee” when you need to edit your WHOIS or RDAP records.
Add-ons and extras Registrars will often try to “upsell” or “cross-sell” you things you don’t need. For example, they might suggest you purchase additional domain endings that are extraneous rather than helpful . Or they might offer to bundle your domain with a bunch of other services you may never use.
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How Do I Buy Domain Names
Here are the steps to buy domains:
Best Domain Name Registrars
Best for ecommerce businesses
Shopify is the best domain registrar if youre looking to set up an online store.
If youve never set up your own website beforeor even if you haveconvenience is huge. There are an overwhelming amount of tools and platforms you need if you set up each component of a website, and especially an online store, individually.
You need a domain registrar, a server to host your domain, a website design, and most likely email and customer support functionality. Its possible to do all of this individually, but speaking from experience, it gets complicated and its easy to fall down a rabbit hole pretty quickly.
Shopify allows you to get all of this in one place. When you register your domain with Shopify, its connected to your online store immediately, which means you wont have to worry about third-party connections or complicated technical setup processes.
Prices are a little more expensive than other domain registrars, but renewal fees are reasonable. Shopify is best suited for those looking to set up an online store though, so if you dont need that functionality it might not be the right choice for you.
Quick facts:
Try our free domain name generator
Use Shopify’s domain name generator to search for business names and check domain availability instantly.
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How To Search For A Domain Name
Once you have found your preferred domain name registrar, its time to search for your domain name.
Your domain name shapes your online business identity and helps you connect with your target audience. Think of your domain name the address that people type in to get to your website or use when they send you a professional email as either the name of your business online or as a fundamental element of your overall branding.
As such, you shouldnt put off registering a domain name for your business.
Because its so central to your online identity, its best to buy a domain name in the initial stages of naming your business.
That way, you can check on domain availability BEFORE you settle on a business name. If you need inspiration for names that might work for your business, try our business name generator to get some ideas.
Name Experts Can Help You Buy A Domain Name That Is Already Taken
When it comes to how to buy a domain name from someone else, we know it can feel a little overwhelming. But at Name Experts, well take the time to go over each part of the process with you so that you can secure the right domain name for your company. Working with successful brokers like us can save you a lot of time, money, and hassle when it comes to getting the domain name you want.
When you work with us, youre getting an experienced broker who has the knowledge of current market insights and the chops to negotiate and compromise on your behalf. Let us help you get the perfect domain domain name today reach out to us and let us help you grow your business.
Wed love to answer any of your questions about our services and get you feeling more confident when it comes to buying and selling domains.
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Target The Right Contact Person
In some cases, the Whois lookup is just the start of the process. Some domain owners are very large, corporate power-houses that own hundreds, or perhaps thousands of domain names and the contact information shown may not lead you to the correct person.
Amazon.com is a perfect example. They own more than 41,152 domain names in their portfolio. Many of their domains go unused, and do not resolve. How do you find the person who manages these domains, much less the domain youre interested in, within Amazons 647,500 employees?
Is it the project manager around that brand? Would it be marketing, CMO, Legal, Business Development, Webmaster, Technology etc?
Its a vital step to connect with the correct person, or division within the Company so you dont spend time spinning your wheels and this is where working with a domain broker can be beneficial. They can do the research to identify the owner of the domain and establish contact.
After contact is established, you need to determine whether the asset is indeed available and if it is, will it be within your budget?
How To Register A Domain Name With Bluehost
Bluehost is a web hosting company based in the United States. Like Hostinger, it also offers a domain registration service. It even includes a free domain name for one year in its most affordable subscription, which costs $3.95/month.
Besides the generic TLDs, this hosting company has a wide array of alternative extensions for various niches such as .ink, .photo, and .guru. While theyre not as popular as .com, they can be an excellent touch to make your website stand out.
To get a domain name from Bluehost, open the Domains page on the site. Then insert a keyword paired with your desired domain name extension on the search bar.
The page will reveal if the domain name is available. If not, choose one of the other options below.
A .com extension costs $12.99/year, which is the average price. On the other hand, the privacy and protection service is $11.88/year.
Click Proceed to start the checkout process. Bluehost will offer to bundle the domain name with a 30-day free trial for a shared web hosting service and a free SSL certificate . An email service plan with Microsoft 365 is also available, ranging between $2.99/month and $3.99/month.
Press one of the Proceed buttons to complete the order. Fill in the billing information and choose a method to pay for the domain name registration fee.
Once done, Bluehost will send a verification email to your inbox to validate the domain ownership. Click on the link, and the domain name should now be usable.
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Identify The Owner And Find A Broker
First, you need to go to the website and find the owners contact details. Generally, there are three possible situations here:
Once youve figured out which situation youre in, its time to consider hiring a broker. A broker will act on your behalf and ensure the seller doesnt take advantage of you. Some brokers take a percentage of the money you pay for the domain, while others charge a flat or hourly fee.
Youll likely need a broker if you dont know who owns the domain or if someone else is using it .
What Extras Are Available Beyond Web Hosting
While providing the basics like bandwidth and disk space are a given, a good web hosting plan will also have at least a few extras. If you’re running an online store, keep an eye out for providers that supply Ecommerce solutions. If you want to be able to implement quick and easy updates, find a provider that offers content management systems.
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How To Buy A Domain Name Thats Not For Sale
Not every premium domain will be available on a brokerage site or domain marketplace. But if you really want to pursue a specific domain, you still might have a chance.
Similar to the steps we took in the last section, youll need to figure out who owns the domain. If a domain isnt for sale, this step should be a bit easier, and you can probably do it on your own.
Most domains that arent for sale will be linked to an active website. That site should have some sort of contact information on it. You can reach out directly to get in contact with the business owner or decision-maker associated with the domain.
Start with a general inquiry saying that youre interested in buying the domain dont throw an offer out there just yet .
See what type of response you get and if the site owner is willing to sell. Unlike a premium domain thats listed on a domain marketplace, you might have to dig a bit deeper into your pockets to buy a domain thats not currently for sale.
If its absolutely imperative that you secure this particular domain, consider making the owner an offer that they cant refuse.
Just be aware that this wont always work. Its like trying to buy a house thats not for sale. You can knock on the front door and make a cash offer, but the homeowner might decide to stay put.
If theyre willing to sell, use a broker to make sure the purchase goes smoothly. Then immediately transfer that domain to your registrar after you obtain ownership.
Why You Should Buy Multiple Domain Names
Should I buy more than one domain name?
Thats a great question.
And more often than not, the answer is yes.
Purchasing more than one domain name is an excellent investment when done sensibly. When done right, owning multiple domain names is synonymous with brand protection and business security. Well explain exactly why that is in this blog post.
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Keep Your Domain Name Short
There are several reasons short domains work better. First, theyre easier to remember and faster to type. Therefore, they are more likely to support a positive UX.
This is especially important as more and more people are browsing the internet on mobile devices. A short domain name means fewer opportunities for mobile users to get blindsided by autocorrect.
Furthermore, an overly long URL is yet another way to scare off visitors. If youre overcomplicating your domain with unnecessary keywords, your users might get suspicious.