How to Buy a Domain Name: A Complete Guide

Published: 05 Jul, 2023

A domain name is your website’s address on the internet. It is what people type in their browsers to visit your site, such as www.example.com. Having a domain name is essential for your online presence, as it can help you with:

• Branding: A domain name can reflect your business name, niche, or personality, and make you stand out from the crowd.
• Credibility: A domain name can show that you are serious and professional about your online venture, and build trust with your audience.
• SEO: A domain name can include keywords that are relevant to your website’s content, and improve your ranking on search engines.

But how do you buy a domain name? In this article, we will guide you through the steps involved in buying a domain name, such as:

• How to choose a reliable domain name registrar
• How to find an available domain name
• How to register your domain name
• How to set up your domain name

By the end of this article, you will have everything you need to buy your own domain name and start your online journey. Let’s get started!

 

How to Choose a Reliable Domain Registrar

A domain registrar is a company that sells and manages domain names. They act as intermediaries between you and the domain name registry, which is the organization that maintains the database of all registered domain names.

When you buy a domain name from a registrar, you are actually renting it for a certain period of time, usually one year. You can renew your domain name before it expires, or transfer it to another registrar if you want.

There are hundreds of domain registrars out there, but not all of them are trustworthy or offer the same services. To choose a reliable domain registrar, you should consider the following factors:

• Price: The price of a domain name can vary depending on the registrar, the domain extension, and the features included. You should compare different registrars and look for the best value for money. You should also watch out for hidden fees or extra charges that some registrars may apply.
• Features: Some registrars offer more features than others, such as web hosting, email, SSL certificates, DNS management, etc. You should check what features are included in the price of the domain name, and what features are optional or require additional payment.
• Support: You may need help or assistance with your domain name at some point, so you should choose a registrar that offers 24/7 support via phone, chat, or email. You should also check their reviews and ratings from other customers to see how they handle issues or complaints.
• Security: You should choose a registrar that protects your privacy and security by offering domain privacy protection and DNSSEC (Domain Name System Security Extensions). Domain privacy protection hides your personal information from the public WHOIS database, which can prevent spam or identity theft. DNSSEC adds an extra layer of security to your domain name by preventing DNS hijacking or spoofing.

Some examples of popular and reputable domain registrars are:

• Hostinger: Hostinger is one of the cheapest and fastest web hosting providers in the market. They also offer domain registration services with free domain privacy protection and DNS management. They have over 30 million customers worldwide and offer 24/7 support via live chat or ticket system.
• GoDaddy: GoDaddy is the world’s largest domain registrar, with over 84 million domains under management. They offer a wide range of services, such as web hosting, email, SSL certificates, etc. They also have a user-friendly interface and a powerful domain search tool. They offer 24/7 support via phone or chat.
• Google Domains: Google Domains is Google’s own domain name registrations service. They offer simple pricing and features, such as free domain privacy protection, one-click DNSSEC, Google 2-Step Verification, etc. They also integrate with other Google products, such as Google Workspace, Google Ads, etc. They offer 24/7 support via phone or chat.
• Namecheap: Namecheap is another affordable and reliable domain registrar. They offer free domain privacy protection, DNS management, email forwarding, etc. They also have a user-friendly interface and a helpful knowledge base. They offer 24/7 support via chat or ticket system.

To avoid scams or shady practices from some domain registrars, you should follow these tips:

• Read the terms and conditions carefully before buying a domain name. Make sure you understand what you are paying for and what are your rights and obligations.
• Check the renewal price and policy of the domain name. Some registrars may offer low introductory prices but charge higher renewal fees or automatically renew your domain name without your consent.
• Check the transfer policy of the domain name. Some registrars may charge fees or impose restrictions on transferring your domain name to another registrar.
• Check the expiration date and status of your domain name regularly. Some registrars may send fake renewal notices or try to sell your domain name to someone else if you don’t renew it on time.

 

How to Find an Available Domain Name

Once you have chosen a reliable domain registrar, the next step is to find an available domain name for your website. This can be challenging, as there are over 370 million registered domain names in the world, and many of them are already taken.

To find an available domain name, you need to use a domain availability checker tool. This is a tool that allows you to search for domain names based on your keywords or niche, and see if they are available or not. You can also see the price and features of each domain name, and buy it directly from the tool.

Most domain registrars offer their own domain availability checker tools, such as the ones offered by Hostinger, GoDaddy, Google Domains, or Namecheap. You can also use third-party tools, such as Domain.com, Name.com, or Instant Domain Search.

To choose the best available option, you should consider the following factors:

• Relevance: Your domain name should be relevant to your website’s content, niche, or audience. It should reflect what your website is about and what value it offers. For example, if your website is about gardening tips, you could use a domain name like gardeningtips.com or gardenguru.com.
• Memorability: Your domain name should be memorable and easy to remember. It should be catchy. It should also be easy to spell and pronounce. For example, if your website is about travel guides, you could use a domain name like travelicious.com or wanderlust.com.
• Uniqueness: Your domain name should be unique and stand out from the crowd. It should not be confused with other existing websites or brands. It should also not infringe on any trademarks or copyrights. For example, if your website is about fitness tips, you could use a domain name like fitfreak.com or fitnesszone.com.
• Length: Your domain name should be as short as possible, but not too short. Ideally, it should be between 6 and 15 characters long. Shorter domain names are easier to type and remember, but they may also be more expensive or unavailable. Longer domain names may be more descriptive or creative, but they may also be harder to type and remember. For example, if your website is about cake recipes, you could use a domain name like cakelover.com or cakeology.com.

Here are some examples of good and bad domain names and why they are good or bad:

Good Domain Names	Why They Are Good
amazon.com	Short, memorable, unique, relevant
netflix.com	Short, memorable, unique, relevant
wikipedia.org	Short, memorable, unique, relevant
spotify.com	Short, memorable, unique, relevant
buzzfeed.com	Short, memorable, unique, relevant

 

 

Bad Domain Names	Why They Are Bad
best-online-shopping-site-ever.com	Too long, hard to remember and type
faceboook.com	Confusing with facebook.com
nike-shoes.net	Infringing on Nike’s trademark
how-to-make-money-online-fast-and-easy.info	Too long, spammy sounding
xkcd.net	Too short, hard to spell and pronounce

 

 

If you are having trouble finding an available domain name that meets these criteria, you can use some tips to find more ideas or alternatives:

• Use domain name generators or suggestions: These are tools that can generate or suggest domain names based on your keywords or niche. They can help you find creative combinations or variations of words that may be available. Some examples of these tools are Nameboy, Lean Domain Search, or Namelix.
• Use synonyms or related words: You can use a thesaurus or a keyword tool to find synonyms or related words for your keywords or niche. This can help you expand your options and find new angles for your domain name. For example, if your keyword is “travel”, you could use synonyms like “trip”, “journey”, “voyage”, etc.
• Use modifiers or prefixes/suffixes: You can use modifiers or prefixes/suffixes to modify your keywords or niche and create new domain names. Modifiers are words that can describe or qualify your keywords or niche, such as adjectives, adverbs, numbers, etc. Prefixes/suffixes are words that can be added before or after your keywords or or niche, such as -ly, -er, -ing, etc. For example, if your keyword is “travel”, you could use modifiers like “cheap”, “luxury”, “solo”, etc., or prefixes/suffixes like “traveler”, “traveling”, “travelicious”, etc.

 

How to Register Your Domain Name

After you have found an available domain name that you like, the next step is to register a domain with your chosen domain registrar. This is the process of securing your domain name and making it yours for a certain period of time, usually one year.

To register your domain name, you need to follow these steps:

• Finalize your order and complete the domain registration process with your chosen registrar. You can do this by clicking on the buy or register button on the domain availability checker tool or the registrar’s website. You will be redirected to a checkout page where you will see the details and price of your domain name.
• Fill out the required information, such as your contact details, payment method, etc. You will need to provide your name, email, phone number, address, etc., as the registrant of the domain name. This information will be stored in the WHOIS database, which is a public directory of all registered domain names. You will also need to choose a payment method, such as credit card, PayPal, etc., and agree to the terms and conditions of the registrar.
• Choose the right domain extension for your website. A domain extension is the part of the domain name that comes after the dot, such as .com, .net, .org, etc. There are hundreds of domain extensions available, each with its own meaning and purpose. You should choose a domain extension that matches your website’s content, niche, or audience. For example, if your website is about a business or a commercial activity, you should choose a .com extension. If your website is about a non-profit organization or a social cause, you should choose a .org extension. If your website is about a specific country or region, you should choose a country code extension, such as .uk, .ca, .in, etc.
• Protect your privacy and security by opting for domain privacy protection and DNSSEC (Domain Name System Security Extensions). Domain privacy protection is a service that hides your personal information from the public WHOIS database and replaces it with proxy information from the registrar. This can prevent spam, identity theft, or unwanted contact from strangers. DNSSEC is a service that adds an extra layer of security to your domain name by preventing DNS hijacking or spoofing. DNS hijacking or spoofing is when someone redirects your domain name to another website without your consent. This can harm your reputation, traffic, or revenue.
• Verify the ownership of your new domain by checking the WHOIS database or following the confirmation email from your registrar. After you have completed the domain registration process, you should receive a confirmation email from your registrar with a link to verify your email address. You should click on this link to confirm that you are the owner of the domain name. You can also check the WHOIS database to see if your information is updated and correct.

 

How to Set Up Your New Domain Name

Once you have registered your domain name, the final step is to set it up and connect it to your website. This is how you make your website accessible and visible on the internet.

To set up your domain name, you need to follow these steps:

• Connect your domain name to your website by pointing it to your web host’s nameservers or using a DNS lookup or manager. A web host is a service that provides space and resources for your website on a server. A nameserver is a server that translates your domain name into an IP address, which is a numerical identifier for your website on the internet. A DNS manager is a tool that allows you to manage and configure your DNS settings for your domain name. To connect your domain name to your website, you need to point it to the nameservers provided by your web host or use a DNS manager to enter the IP address of your website. You can do this by logging into your registrar’s account and finding the option to change nameservers or DNS settings for your domain name.
• Create subdomains or redirect your domain name to another website if needed. A subdomain is a part of your domain name that comes before the main part, such as blog.example.com or shop.example.com. A subdomain can be used to create different sections or categories for your website or to host different websites under one domain name. A redirect is when you send visitors from one domain name to another one automatically, such as from example.com to example.net or from oldexample.com to newexample.com. A redirect can be used to change or update your domain name without losing traffic or SEO ranking. To create subdomains or redirect your domain name, you need to use your registrar’s or web host’s tools to add or edit subdomains or redirects for your domain name.

• Create professional email addresses using your domain name with your web host or Google Workspace. A professional email address is an email address that uses your domain name, such as [email protected] or [email protected]. A professional email address can help you with branding, credibility, and communication with your audience. To create professional email addresses using your domain name, you can use your web host’s email service or Google Workspace, which is a suite of cloud-based productivity and collaboration tools from Google. You can also use email forwarding to create up to 100 email aliases that forward to your main email address.
• Use Google Pay Link to accept payments without a website if you want to sell something with your domain name. Google Pay Link is a service that allows you to create a pay link branded with your domain name for free. You can use this link to accept payments from anyone with a Google account or a credit card. You can also customize the link with your logo, description, amount, currency, etc. To use Google Pay Link, you need to sign up for a Google Pay account and verify your identity and bank account.

 

How to Buy a Domain Name FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions about buying a domain name:

How much does it cost to buy a domain name?

The cost of buying a domain name depends on the registrar, the domain extension, and the features included. Typically, a domain name can cost anywhere from $0.99 to $50 per year. Some registrars may offer discounts or promotions for the first year or for bulk purchases. Some domain extensions may be more expensive or cheaper than others. Some features may be included in the price or require additional payment.

 

How long does it take to buy a domain name?

The process of buying a domain name can take anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours. It depends on the registrar, the payment method, and the verification process. Usually, after you complete the domain registration process and pay the fee, you will receive a confirmation email from your registrar with a link to verify your email address. After you click on this link, your domain name will be registered and activated. However, it may take some time for your domain name to propagate across the internet and become accessible and visible on all devices and browsers. This can take up to 48 hours in some cases.

Can I buy a domain name without hosting?

Yes, you can buy a domain name without hosting. However, if you want to have a website with your domain name, you will need to buy hosting separately and connect it to your domain name. Alternatively, you can use a website builder or a CMS (Content Management System) that offers both domain registration and hosting as part of their service.

 

Can I buy a domain name that is already taken?

• If the domain name that you want is already taken by someone else, you have a few options to try to get it:

  • You can contact the owner of the domain name and make an offer to buy it from them. You can find their contact information on the WHOIS database or on their website. However, they may not be willing to sell it or they may ask for a high price.
  • You can wait for the domain name to expire and try to buy it when it becomes available again. However, this may take a long time or never happen, as the owner may renew their domain name before it expires or transfer it to another registrar.
  • You can use a backorder service that monitors the status of the domain name and tries to register it for you as soon as it becomes available. However, this may not guarantee that you will get the domain name, as there may be other people or services competing for it.
  • You can use an auction service that allows you to bid on expired or expiring domain names that are up for sale. However, this may require you to pay a high price or compete with other bidders.
  • You can use an alternative domain name that is similar or related to the one that you want but not taken yet. You can use a different domain extension, add modifiers or prefixes/suffixes, or use synonyms or related words.

 

How do I renew my domain name?

To renew your domain name, you need to pay the renewal fee before it expires. You can do this by logging into your registrar’s account and finding the option to renew your domain name. You can also enable auto-renewal for your domain name, which means that your registrar will automatically charge your payment method and renew your domain name before it expires. However, you should always check the renewal price and policy of your registrar and make sure that your payment method is valid and updated.

 

Conclusion

Buying a domain name is an important step for your online presence. It can help you with branding, credibility, SEO, and more. To buy a domain name, you need to:

• Choose a reliable domain registrar
• Find an available domain name
• Register your domain name
• Set up your domain name

We hope this guide has helped you with buying your own domain name. If you are ready to buy your domain name, we recommend using Hostinger as your domain registrar. They offer cheap and fast web hosting, free domain privacy protection, DNS management, 24/7 support, and more.

Don’t wait any longer and buy your domain name today with Hostinger!

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