Registering a domain name is a quick process, but shouldn’t be rushed. Your domain name isn’t just a web address—it’s a crucial part of your brand identity.
Whether you’re publishing a blog, showcasing a portfolio, or starting an online store, your domain name is often the first thing potential customers encounter, making it an essential part of your online presence.
Taking the time to choose the right domain name is crucial for long-term success. A well-chosen domain name can strengthen your brand recognition and make it easier for customers to find you online. Conversely, switching domain names after launch can hurt your search engine rankings and confuse your audience.
This guide will walk you through how to register a domain name, offering expert advice on choosing the perfect web address for your business.
How to Register a Domain Name in Six Steps
1. Choose a Domain Name
Your domain name is a key part of your brand identity. If you’re still in the process of naming your business, consider your domain name as part of that decision. A domain name that closely matches your brand name will be easier for your customers to remember.
If you already have a business name, your preferred domain name might be YourBrand.com. But what happens if it’s already taken? Don’t worry—you have options:
- Use a suffix: Differentiate your domain name by adding a word to the end. This could be your main product (YourBrandShoes.com), your location (YourBrandCanada.com), or something all-encompassing (YourBrandOnline.com).
- Use a prefix: Start your domain name with an action-oriented verb that highlights your product or service (GetYourBrand.com, WearYourBrand.com, EatYourBrand.com).
- Try a different domain name extension: While .com is the most commonly used top-level domain (TLD), there are plenty of alternatives. You could use a region-specific extension (like .us, .co.uk, .ca) or a niche extension (like .shop or .store). Keep in mind that niche extensions often come with a higher price tag.
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2. Check for Domain Availability
Checking to see if your chosen domain name is available is quick and easy. Most web hosting services offer free domain name search tools that tap into the record system known as WHOIS or RDAP.
Here are some reliable tools for checking domain availability and the history of a domain name:
Remember, domain names are universal. If a domain name is unavailable from one provider, it’s unavailable from all of them. The upside? These tools often suggest similar available domain names if your first choice is taken.
You might encounter a message about domain name brokerage. This means the domain name is taken, but the registrar offers to negotiate with the current owner on your behalf. While this can be a way to acquire your ideal domain name, it comes with added costs and the potential for delays. Even if the owner agrees to sell, the price will likely be much higher than registering an available domain name.
Depending on your budget and how crucial that specific domain name is to your brand, brokerage might be worth considering. However, if you’re working with a limited budget, exploring variations of your desired domain name is often a more cost-effective approach.
3. Choose a Domain Name Registrar
A domain name registrar is a company that reserves and registers domain names on your behalf. When you purchase a domain name, the registrar adds that domain name to the Domain Name System (DNS) for you.
While there are more than a thousand accredited registrars, it’s smart to stick with well-known, reputable domain name registrars. Using a popular registrar makes it easier to find information about managing your domain name and troubleshoot issues that may arise when connecting your domain name to other services.
You can purchase a domain name from several different types of businesses:
- Website building platforms
- Web hosting services
- Dedicated domain name registrars
Many companies offer both domain name registration and hosting services. This can be convenient, allowing you to manage all your website needs in one place. However, you aren’t required to use the same company for both services—you can purchase a domain name from one provider and use a different company for hosting if you prefer.
Domain names are typically paid for on a recurring basis, usually annually, rather than as a one-time purchase.
Most basic .com domain names cost between $11.99 and $20 per year. However, premium domain names—such as short, four-letter domain names or highly sought-after terms—can be significantly more expensive. Niche domain name extensions like .store or .shop also tend to come with a higher price tag.
When budgeting for your domain name, pay attention to the difference between the initial price and the renewal price. Many domain name providers offer discounted rates for the first year or two, especially if you’re purchasing the domain name along with other services.
When choosing a domain name provider, consider these factors:
- Ease of use: How simple will it be to connect your domain name to your website? Purchasing a domain name from your website building platform often leads to a faster, easier setup, as you’re dealing with a single company. Using services from different providers can add extra steps and be more technically challenging.
- Privacy protection: When you register a domain name, your contact information becomes publicly available in the global ICANN registry. Domain privacy protection hides this information. Some providers include this feature for free, while others charge an additional fee.
- Domain name extension availability: While all domain name providers offer .com domain names, if you’re interested in a region-specific domain name extension (such as .ca, .eu, or .au) or a niche extension (like .shop or .store), ensure your chosen provider offers it.
- Additional services: Many domain name registrars offer additional services like ecommerce hosting, website building tools, and email hosting. Sometimes, domain names are offered at attractive price points, but only when bundled with other services. Consider whether you need these additional features when making your decision.
4. Purchase and Register a Domain
Once you’ve chosen a registrar and decided on your domain name, you’re ready to make a purchase. Let’s walk through the process with a few popular domain name registrars.
Registering a domain name: If you’re building an online store, the quickest and easiest way to register a domain name is to purchase it directly through your platform.
This method provides automatic setup and allows you to manage your domain settings, subdomains, and email forwarding addresses in one place—right where you manage your ecommerce store.
To register a domain name:
- Log in to your administrator and go to Settings > Domains.
- Click “Buy new domain” and enter your desired domain name.
- Click “Buy” next to the domain name you want to register.
- Add a payment method if you haven’t already.
- Review your personal contact details, auto-renewal options, and the domain registration agreement.
- Click “Buy domain” to complete your purchase.
- Check your email for a verification link and click on that link to finalize your registration.
Once you’ve finished setting up your domain name, you’ll be able to edit your domain settings, set up subdomains, and create email forwarding addresses in the Settings > Domains section of your administrator.
Note that it can take up to 48 hours for your new domain name to become fully functional.
Registering a domain name with GoDaddy: GoDaddy is one of the oldest and most well-known domain name providers, offering integration with many third-party services.
Registering a domain name with Namecheap: Namecheap is another popular option for businesses looking for domain name security.
5. Review Your Domain Name Contract
Before finalizing your domain name purchase, carefully read the registrar’s terms and conditions. The domain name contract is a legally binding document that outlines:
- Who has full ownership of the domain name
- Renewal terms and associated fees
- Additional costs for services like domain name restoration or privacy protection
- Conditions for transferring the domain name to another provider
- Payment terms, including consequences for missed payments
Ideally, your business should have full ownership of the domain name throughout the agreement. Look for flexibility in the transfer conditions and fees, giving you the freedom to switch registrars if needed.
6. Renew Your Domain Name
When you purchase a domain name, you are securing it for a fixed period, typically one year. While some providers offer longer terms (like GoDaddy’s 10-year option for .com domain names), registration is never permanent.
To maintain ownership of your domain name, you’ll need to renew it when your term expires. Most domain name providers offer an auto-renewal feature, which is generally recommended. Even with auto-renewal enabled, providers typically notify you when it’s time to renew.
Keep in mind that if your payment information changes, you’ll need to update your settings with the domain name provider so they can charge you for the auto-renewal.
If you fail to renew your domain name, it will no longer lead to your website and could be purchased by someone else.
