You’re thinking of building a website and you have a great idea which may be a portfolio, a blog, or maybe even an e-commerce store. That is great but before everything, you will need something known as a domain name.
This guide contains notes on how to get a domain name registered. I will cover everything from how to register a domain to the best way of purchasing one and protecting your name.
Are you planning on purchasing a domain? If yes then you can look for reputable domain registration services, such as Google Domains, GoDaddy, or Hostinger. Make sure to search for available domain names in order to get a good offer. Buy the name from the registrarโs website and complete all the measures necessary to secure the domain.
Content
- 1 What’s a Domain Name?
- 2 Why Do You Need One?
- 3 Where to Buy Domain?
- 4 Choosing the Perfect Domain Name
- 5 Understanding Different Domain Extensions
- 6 How to Register a Domain Name?
- 7 FAQs
- 7.1 How will I know Which Domain Name Is Right for Me?
- 7.2 Is It Possible to Own a Domain Name To Eternity?
- 7.3 What if Someone Else Already Owns the Domain Name I Want?
- 7.4 What about the Other Services that Come with Purchasing a Domain Name. Should I Get Them?
- 7.5 Can I send my Domain Name to a Different Registrar if I Find One Better than My Current Registrar?
- 8 In conclusion
What’s a Domain Name?
A domain name works similarly to your address so a domain name can be thought of as your address on the internet. It is what users type into the URL bar to reach your website. For instance โgoogleโ in โwww.google.comโย is simply the domain name.
When getting a new domain name, there are options such as Namecheap, Hostinger, Bluehost, and Dynadot. Consider checking for the pricing, availability of the name, and privacy policy for these registrars. For security reasons, ICANN-accredited registrars should be used. Do not forget to check if your domain name has already been taken and come up with some good representation. The name should not be common and should reflect your business or personal use.
Why Do You Need One?
Having your own domain name is like a step up, from having a small makeshift lowest to having a robust properly built house around a great location. The following situations might arise which makes having a domain name very important:
Professionalism: Using a custom domain name(like yourname.com) makes your site look more serious and professional compared to using any free website address.
Recognition: Your domain name falls under your brand. A cool name makes it easier to find and never forget you.
Power: Having your own domain means you control and change how things work, like configuring a custom email address.
SEO Benefits: Good domain names are often given a lot of weight by search engines favoring websites which makes a website appear higher in search results.
Where to Buy Domain?
There is the need to visit a domain registrar whenever one feels that there is a need to secure a good domain name, especially for a website. These are the entities that assist one in purchasing as well as managing his or her domain name. Here are some popular ones:
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GoDaddy
This company can be referred to as a household name. They have been in the market for quite a while and have effectively assisted clients in registering and recording their domain names. They are straightforward to deal with including the fact that their assistance is just a button away.
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Namecheap
Never at any time have I heard that Namecheap is quite tough to work with and isn’t cost-effective. Their prices for domain names are quite reasonable and even when customers seek assistance, the support is up to standard. Namecheap is for people who need good service and good prices.
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Google Domains
This is an extension of Google, so it integrates very well with other tools such as Gmail which narrows down the target market. It is simple and easy to use by most Google users.
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Bluehost
The company focuses on web hosting services, however, domain registration is also offered. This company is a good deal for someone who intends to host with them because one can easily get both the hosting and the domain with them.
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Domain.com
Managing domains can be quite a task, but domain.com makes it easy and reliable to get things done. Not only do they provide several services related to domain registration but also make the overall lifecycle of managing the domain hassle-free. We recommend them whether you are a seasoned professional or a beginner.
Choosing the Perfect Domain Name
While youโre registering a domain for your new website, keep the following simple guidelines in mind:
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Make Sure It is Short
Make it a point to keep your domain name short; it will make it easier for your customers to recall as well as to type the desired URL.
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Stay True to Your Business
It is important to note that the domain name you select should be in line with your business and should ideally represent what you do. This improves the user experience and allows the website to be easily browsed.
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Consider the Significance of Keywords
When constructing the name of your domain, donโt overlook to include in your selection words connected to your company. Such titles aid in SEO and bring more relevant clients to your website.
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Be Aware of the Desired Nameโs Availability
You may easily do a search to determine whether or not a domain name is available to you. The majority of registrars have such functionalities.
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Avoid Numerical or Hyphenated Domains
Consider making numerals and hyphenated domains quite simple. Simply use words that can be remembered without difficulty.
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Take it For All Your Changes Down The Line.
Itโs best to choose a domain name that can stay with you, irrespective of how you go about your business and grow over time in the future.
Understanding Different Domain Extensions
Any domain name contains a part, which is known as the domain extension, and it is located after the dot. Some popular extensions include .com, .net, and .org. Here are some common domain extensions and what they are used for:
.com
This extension is popular and very well known. It applies to all sorts of websites and is frequently adopted by typical businesses and organizations.
.net
Originally, it was intended to be used mainly by websites relating to networks, but now it can be coursed throughout different types of websites. It is a great alternative when the .com version of your domain is already occupied.
.org
Usually, this domain extension is assigned to non-commercial organizations foundations charities and community units. It is appropriate for the sites that focus on altruistic and community-oriented activities.
.info
The extension .info is intended for websites that are informational. This is a good choice if you have information that is beneficial to your users.
.blog
If you want to write thoughts and share your experience with people, then the .blog extension is ideal for you as an aspiring blogger.
How to Register a Domain Name?
Below is a simplified explanation of how to register a domain name:
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Check Availability: Search on the domain registration authority’s website if the domains are still available or not, If it says it is taken, then you may wish to select different names or endings.
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Select a Registrar: Choose your registrar based on their pricing and features, as well as how helpful their customer care desk is.
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Register Your Domain: Add the necessary details using the particular domain authority’s instructions to register your desired domain along with payment.
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Establish Your Domain: after completing the registration procedure, there may be a few basic procedures that you have to complete which may include website domain linking with a builder or web hosting services.
Bonus Tip: Once you receive your domain, think about starting a new brand. A logo, social media accounts, and an email address can all be created with the use of your domain name.
FAQs
How will I know Which Domain Name Is Right for Me?
While picking a domain name, bear in mind to choose something that would be easy for the audience to remember and would relate to your brand or website. Try to add words or terms that relate to your business. Please refrain from using any special symbols, digits, or hyphens. If possible get a “.com” extension.
Is It Possible to Own a Domain Name To Eternity?
Unfortunately no. This is due to the costs involved because of the fact that it has to be paid on an annual basis. Ideally, you should be able to maintain ownership of your domain name by making payments every year. In some cases, it is also possible to make a payment for several years at once.
What if Someone Else Already Owns the Domain Name I Want?
In situations where someone else has the domain name you wanted, if that happens donโt lose heart, you have a few options. You can try different versions of the name, like adding more characters, and numbers to the name or changing the domain extension. You might also start thinking of a new direction that is achievable.
What about the Other Services that Come with Purchasing a Domain Name. Should I Get Them?
This is all up to you and that will depend on your purposes. However, it goes without saying that domain registration is a necessity, these other services are optional, and mad up of website hosting, email domain hosting, security, etc. Always consider your requirements and budget before making any of these purchases.
Can I send my Domain Name to a Different Registrar if I Find One Better than My Current Registrar?
Absolutely, if you are not satisfied with your current registrar and want to change the registrar you can. In such a scenario, what you will need to do is unlock the domain, request a code of authorization from the current provider, and start the transfer thereafter with the domainโs registrar. The transferring process might sometimes incur expenditures.
In conclusion
It’s time you started understanding how to purchase domain names now! Whenever you want to set up a business, develop a blog, or simply set your space on the internet, a good domain name is vital. Therefore, go on, choose the ideal domain, and establish your online presence!