Choosing A Domain Registrar
A domain name registrar is any company that has a relationship with ICANN to reserve & manage domain names.
It sounds simple like anyone and everyone could do it. But like retailers of a product, there are tradeoffs, choices & considerations that you make to choose the best domain name registrar for you. Here are the considerations that I look at.
Brainstorm Concepts And Ideas
If you already have a name you want to buy, awesome! Head on down to the next section.
If you want to see if your domain name is actually good , keep reading.
This is crucial. Its the name youll use for your business, or a campaign, or a blog. You want to try your best to nail this on the first try.
How To Buy A Domain Name: Domain Registration Guide
What you need to know about domain names, how to choose the right one, and the steps to take to check if a domain name is available and to register your domain.
If you want to start a blog or a new online business, youll need to register a domain name, the name for your website. Getting the right domain for your needs might sound technical at first, but the process is pretty simple.
This domain registration guide will tell you what you need to know about domain name extensions, how to choose the right one for your needs, and the steps youll need to take to check if a domain name is available and to register your domain.
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Techradar Exclusive Domain Name Deals
Reasons to avoid
With a name like Domain.com, the brand, means business, focusing primarily on small and medium businesses. It offers most popular top level domains, over 25 country code top level domains, and sells premium domains as a broker.
With nearly two decades of online presence, the company – which is one of the worlds biggest domain name registrars – expanded in web hosting and now ranges a number of products including a full design service and web hosting.
Domain.com prices tend to be average but we have managed to blag a 25% discount off almost everything in your cart*. Non-premium TLD start from $2.99 for the first year . In line with the rest of the industry, they rise significantly after the second year).
You need to pay for privacy protection, a reasonable $8.99, plus you can add email, web hosting, SSL certificates and malware protection, none of which is compulsory. You can stick with its basic website builder which is free with every domain: you get a drag and drop website builder, tons of mobile-friendly templates, up to six pages, SEO tools, Paypal integration and even access to stock image library.
Support is more than adequate with 24/7 chat, email and phone support. Domain.com may not have the cheapest prices but it provides a very balanced offering.
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
IONOS is a very well-known company for its great various hosting plans, and their offering on domain registrars is the same.
Reasons to avoid
Reasons to avoid
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.
Also Check: How Much Is It To Buy A Domain Name
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?
How To Buy A Premium Domain
Premium domains are a great way to stand out online. They are great for branding and marketing purposes as well.
What is a premium domain?
A premium domain is typically short, memorable, and easy to spell. High-quality domains have a high search volume and are closely associated with an industry, service, or topic. They also have TLDs like .com, .org, or .net.
Premium domains are in high demand. So theyll typically cost a bit more to register. The process of buying a premium domain can be different as well since its not always clear if the domain is actually for sale. Heres what I mean.
Lets say you try to register a premium domain from a domain registrar or hosting company. Just because it says unavailable, that doesnt necessarily mean that it cant be acquired. These are the steps for buying a premium domain:
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Register Your Domain And Verify Your Ownership
Next, youll need to register your domain. Your registrar will do most of the heavy work for you behind the scenes, and the process may take several days.
Youll need to confirm your details to ensure your registration is complete. Depending on your registrar, you may need to verify your email address or phone number.
Additionally, you may need to provide extra verification to purchase TLDs like .edu. If this is the case, youll need to follow the registrars instructions to verify your identity.
Best Place Where To Buy Domain Names Conclusion
Once youve decided which service to use for registering your domain, all thats left is to pick the perfect name and make a purchase. Depending on the service you use, it shouldnt take more than half an hour to get everything set up, which includes filling out forms and paying for your domains registration.
For your convenience, we offer domain registration services right here at A2 Hosting. If you register your domain through us, you can manage both it and your hosting from a single panel. Of course, its important to do your research first. Lets recap what you should look for in a quality domain registrar:
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How To Buy A Domain That Is Already Taken
What happens if you already have products and a business plan in mind, only to find that the domain name you wanted is already being used? The easy thing to do would be to use the same business name but just change the TLD.
Before you do that it’s worth checking to see if you can purchase the original that you had in mind.
Identify what the website is being used for
Firstly check the website and find out if it’s still in use. It might not have been updated in a while, or it’s been purchased and the website hasn’t been launched yet.
If it’s the latter then it might be the case that the owner has purchased it and is looking for a good offer, just to sell it on.
Find the owners of the domain
The next thing you need to do is find out who owns the website.
Through Domainr you can make an offer that links off to Domain Agents who are a domain name brokerage and negotiation platform.
Alternatively, you can use GoDaddy’s WHOIS database. The key information you will be given is:
- registration date of the domain
- owner
- contact information
- domain expiration date
If they have used privacy protection here though it will be difficult to find the right contact information. Therefore you may need to get creative and enter the site through Google and identify if they have a LinkedIn page and reach out that way.
It’s worth having an idea of how much you are willing to pay before purchasing your domain. There are several factors that can affect how much you pay.
Contact the owner
How To Register A Domain Name With Siteground
Your adventure starts at SiteGround.com. More specifically, in the WordPress hosting section. Why the WordPress hosting section? Long story short, WordPress is our number one recommended platform to build your website with. Its versatile, free, and theres virtually no limit as to the extent you can customize it. To learn more about the ins and outs of WordPress, feel free to check out our beginner guides to WordPress.
As I mentioned earlier in this post, getting your domain name and hosting account from the same company saves you a lot of hassle and lets you launch a website much more quickly and with less effort than when working with two separate companies .
Therefore, while at SiteGround.com, start by picking your desired hosting plan. If youre just getting started with a small website project, you can begin with the cheapest option $3.95 a month.
If the domain is available, you will be able to proceed. If not, SiteGround will present you with some alternatives.
The next step is about providing your contact and payment info. SiteGround have a nice, single form for all that, so you dont need to jump from screen to screen.
The first three sections are pretty self-explanatory: Account Information, Client Information, Payment Information .
The last one Purchase Information is where you need to be a little more careful:
If youve deselected the extras, your total bill should be around $62. You can click on Pay Now.
You should see the confirmation screen :
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Narrow Down The List According To Viability
Narrow your list down quickly by typing in the .com for each name that you like. Type it into your browser and see what is there.
- If there is an established website built on the domain name, cross it off your list. It is very unlikely to be a viable option.
- If nothing comes up at all, then keep it on your list. That could mean that the domain name isnt registered yet, which is great!
- If a landing page with ads comes up, the domain name is parked. It is owned by someone already, but might be an acquisition target. Keep this on your list.
- If the domain name is for sale, thats the best case scenario. Its exactly what we are looking for. Keep this option on your list, and take note of the listed price if there is a listed price.
The best domains are typically the ones for sale unfortunately. But if you have the budget for it, its well worth the investment.
Once you have the narrowed down list, the next step is to dig even deeper to determine what your final options will be.
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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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:
- Product lines
- 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 Should You Look For In Registrar When Buying Domain Names
Even if you only have plans to register a single domain for the time being, choosing a quality registrar can still pay off. After all, you will have to renew that domain at some point, and you may wish to register others down the line. Plus, transferring a domain from one registrar to another can be a pain, so youll want to avoid going down that road if possible.
With that in mind, heres what you should be on the lookout for when choosing where to register your domain:
- An easy-to-use interface. This is vital for any online service youre going to use regularly.
- Low prices for domain registrations and renewals. Shop around before you settle on a registrar, and see how much it costs to get the same domain from multiple places. Chances are the difference wont be that much, but saving a few dollars never hurt anyone.
- Advanced domain management features. At the very least, any registrar you choose should provide you with the option to hide your information from people who want to peek at your domains records.
- Web hosting plans. This one isnt a deal breaker, since a lot of people prefer to keep their hosting and domains separate. However, if youd rather have everything under one roof, you should opt for a provider that offers both services.
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