Do you want to start a blog or a new online business in 2023? If so, you need to register a domain name.
The first step in creating a website is to find a good domain name and register it. In this article we will show you step by step how to register a domain name. We also give a tip on how to register a domain name for free.
Reading: How to create an business email
Since this is a comprehensive guide to registering a domain name, we’ve created a table of contents so you can easily jump to the section, you are most interested in:
- What is a domain name?
- When is the right time to register a domain name?
- How to choose I pick the best domain name?
- How do I register a domain name (free)
- How do I register a domain at Domain.com (25% discount)
- So register a domain name with Network Solutions
- How to register a domain with GoDaddy
Before we start, let’s cover the basics so we’re on the same p tand.
What is a domain name?
A domain name is the address of your website that users type into their browser to visit your website. For example wpbeginner.com.
In simple terms, if your website was a home, then your domain name is its address.
The entire Internet is a vast network of computers. Each computer is assigned a number called an IP address, which looks like this:
66.249.66.1
Well, this address is not easy to remember or memorize. Imagine if you had to use this type of address to visit your favorite websites.
Domain names were invented to solve this problem.
Domain names can contain letters and numbers , which is helpful Business owners create brand names for their website address.
To learn more about domain names, read our beginner’s guide to domain names and how they work.
When must to register a domain name?
In 2020, an average of more than 56,500 .com domain names were registered every day.
There are currently over 151.8 million .com domain names registered. 366.3 million domain names are registered across all TLDs.
That means all good domain names are being registered as we speak. Chances are someone will register a domain name you have in mind, so it’s smart to register a domain name as soon as an idea comes to mind.
That’s why all smart entrepreneurs are proactive in registering domain names before you do Start a business.
Domain names are cheap and you can register them for a year. If you decide not to pursue the online business idea, you can let it expire.
The bottom line is that if you are serious about starting a business, you should register a domain name immediately.
It will help you protect your brand identity, your company name and even future business ideas.
How much does a domain name cost?
Typically, a . com domain name $14.99/year. The cost of a domain varies depending on the ending or TLD (top-level domain). Some are even more expensive.
We don’t recommend using anything other than .com domains because everyone remembers a .com domain and your smartphone keyboards have a pre-made key for .com.
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See our expert guide to how much a domain name costs and tips on avoiding hidden fees for more details.
Do I need a website to register a domain? Name?
No, you do not need a website to register a domain name. You can register a domain name and later create a website. You can also register a domain name and set up a temporary website or soon-to-be page with SeedProd.
Many entrepreneurs treat domain names like digital real estate, so register a good domain name and keep it with the right buyer to keep it profitable to buy from them.
How to choose the best domain name?
Domain names play a very important role in the identity and success of your website. That’s why it’s important to think carefully about which domain name you choose.
But it’s also important not to think too much or you’ll never get past the research phase.
Below are some general tips to keep in mind when looking for a domain name.
- Make sure your domain name is easy to pronounce, easy to spell and as short as possible.
- Stick to the .com extension as most users find it easier to remember than other domain extensions.
- Use your keywords and brand name when searching for domain names . For example, stargardeninghouston.com is more SEO friendly than stargardeningcompany.com
- Don’t use numbers or hyphens in your domain name.This makes them harder to pronounce and harder to remember.
Need more advice? Check out our expert tips to find the best domain name for your website.
You can also use a domain name generator like Nameboy to speed up your search.
Video- Tutorial
If you prefer written instructions, just read on.
How to register a domain name (step by step)
You can register a domain name from any of the register top domain registrars authorized by ICANN to register domain names.
Because there are so many different registrars out there, we’ll cover the three most popular methods of registering a domain name so you can choose the best one for you requirements.
- How to register a domain name for free
- How to register a domain at Domain.com
- How to register a domain name at Network Solutions
- How to register a domain name with GoDaddy
1. How to register a domain name for free
If you want to register a domain name to start a blog or create a website, this is the best option for you.
Usually this is the best option for you. A domain name costs $14.99/year and website hosting plans start at $7.99/month. This is a lot of money when you’re just starting out.
Luckily, Bluehost has agreed to offer our users a free domain name, an SSL certificate, and 60% off internet hosting.
Basically, you pay $2.75 per month for web hosting and you get a free domain name so you can start your website without spending a lot of money.
→ Click here to get a free domain available from Bluehost ←
Bluehost is one of the largest web hosting companies in the world. They have been in business since 2003 and host more than 2 million websites. Not to mention that they are officially recommended by WordPress.
To get started, you need to visit the Bluehost website and click the Get Started button.
See also: How to Buy a Domain Name: Domain Registration Guide
Get there to the price page. Their Basic and Plus plans are popular with our users.
Click the Choose button under a plan to continue.
The next page will prompt you to choose a domain name . Simply enter the domain name in the “New Domain” field and this will give you a free domain name.
If the entered domain name is available, you will be redirected to the login page. From here you need to enter your account information such as name, address, email etc.
Below the account information you will notice some hosting extras. We don’t recommend buying them, so you can safely disable them for now. If you feel you need them, you can always add them later.
You can then enter your payment information to complete the purchase.
Bluehost will now register your domain name, Set up your hosting account and email you with a link to your hosting control panel.
Since you need both a domain name and web hosting to launch any type of website , it makes a lot of sense to buy them together so you can get the domain name for free.
If for some reason you don’t want to use Bluehost to get a free domain name, you can use Hostinger, HostGator, Dreamhost or GreenGeeks . All of these companies also offer our readers a free domain name with web hosting.
Related: Check out the difference between domain and web hosting to understand why you need both to build a website.
2. How to Register a Domain Name at Domain.com
If you just want to register a domain name right now without creating a website, then Domain.com is your best option.
It offers an easy way to manage your domain name without creating a website.
Once you’re done, you can simply point the domain name to your favorite WordPress hosting company.
First , you need to visit Domain.com website and search for your desired domain name.
If your desired domain name is available, it will be automatically added to your shopping cart.
You can change the registration period to 1 adjust year. You can either keep or remove privacy. Removing it will reduce your domain registration costs.
Domain.com offers a 25% discount to WPBeginner readers, and our domain.com coupon should apply automatically.
Click the “Continue” button to proceed to checkout.
On the checkout page you can review your order and click Proceed to Billing button.
Next you will be prompted to enter your account and payment information to complete the domain purchase.
Domain.com will now register your domain name and send you an email with the link to yours Domain Control Panel.
3.How to register a domain name with Network Solution
Network Solutions is one of the oldest names in the domain name business, registering domain names since 1993 and was the only registrar for all popular ones back then Domain name extensions.
Today they are one of the largest domain registrars with over 7 million domains registered with them.
They offer domain name registrations with a much simpler control panel and tools to manage your domain names.
WPBeginner users get 25% off new domain names by using our Network Solutions coupon.
How to register a domain name with Network Solutions.
True, you must visit the Network Solutions website From hi From here you need to type the domain name you want to register in the search box.
If the domain name you are looking for is available, it will automatically be added to your shopping cart. You will see a success message and proceed to checkout by clicking the checkout button.
During checkout you will be prompted to log in if you are a returning customer or continue as a guest.
Next, you will receive offers to enable domain privacy add-on. We recommend skipping it now and adding it later if needed.
You will then be offered to add other products to your shopping cart. Skip them by clicking Next under the Domain Only field.
Finally, you will be offered to enable domain protections such as premium DNS and anti-malware add-ons. You can skip them for yourself now and add them later if needed.
Finally, you will arrive at the checkout page. From here you can redeem our network solutions coupon to get your 25% discount and then make a purchase.
After that, you can proceed to checkout to make the payment and complete the domain registration.
4 . How to register a domain name with GoDaddy
Godaddy is the largest domain name registrar in the world. They currently manage over 77 million domain names for 18 million users from around the world.
They provide a simple domain control panel that allows you to point your domain to any hosting provider when you’re ready to create a website.
How to register a domain name with GoDaddy (step by step).
First you need to visit the GoDaddy website and enter the domain name you want to register in Enter the search field.
If your domain name is available, you will see a success message with your domain name at the top. You can now proceed and add it to the cart.
Next, click the “Proceed to Cart” button to proceed to checkout.
GoDaddy will now show you some additional services that you can use your domain name. You can skip these by selecting “No thanks” and clicking the “Next” button.
See also: How Long Does It Take To Build A Website?
On the next page you will see your domain name and registration period.You can change the registration period up to 10 years if you wish.
However, we do not recommend this. You can renew your domain name at any time before it expires. So if you want to save money, you can only choose a registration period of 1 year.
You must create a Godaddy account to continue.
After you create an account, you can enter your billing address and a Make payment for your domain name.
GoDaddy will now register your domain name and send you an email with a link to your domain control panel.
Pro Tip: You should ensure that auto-renewal is enabled for your domain so that Godaddy can automatically charge your account and renew your domain name. That way you won’t lose your domain if you forget to renew it.
Related: Check out 7 Best GoDaddy Alternatives That Are Cheaper and More Reliable.
Domain Name Registration FAQ
Having helped over 200,000 people start a website, we’ve gotten just about every question you can think of. Below are the answers to some of the most common domain name questions:
What is the best domain name registrar?
We believe that Domain.com is the is currently the best registrar because it has the features you need and it offers a 25% discount.
However, it is a smarter money decision to buy a free domain with web hosting like Bluehost, because it saves you time and money.
You can always transfer your domain name to another popular domain name registrar if you are not satisfied with your current provider.
Which domain extension should I buy?
You should always stick to .com domain names. They’re the easiest to remember, and most mobile devices have a dedicated .com key on their keyboards. For more details, see our article on the differences between domain name extensions.
Should I register new domain name extensions?
Apart from the most common . com, .net, and .org, dozens of other domain name extensions are available. However, these new domain extensions are difficult to remember and hard to brand. For more information, see our article on choosing a new domain extension for your website.
How do I buy a domain name permanently?
You can’t buy it a domain name permanently. Domain names are registered annually. However, you can pay up to 10 years in advance, which guarantees you will have a domain name for 10 years.
What happens to my domain name when its registration expires?
If you do not renew your domain name, it will automatically expire after the registration period you have paid for. Some domain name companies offer a grace period to renew your registration, but this is not guaranteed and you may lose control of your domain name if you let it expire.
How do I renew? Domain names?
You can renew your domain name through your domain control panel. We strongly recommend that you turn on the auto-renewal feature to automatically renew your domain name. You can turn it off at any time if you decide not to keep a domain name.
Even though your domain registrar would remind you to renew your domain registration before it expires, you could use these emails miss and lose control of your domain name.
How can I reserve a domain name without buying it?
There is no way to reserve a domain name without buying it. You have to buy it if you want to reserve it. Considering the low cost of a domain name, this is a small investment for a business.
Is there a way to buy an existing domain name?
Yes , you can use brokers like Sedo.com to potentially purchase an existing domain name. However, there is no guarantee that you will get the domain name you want as the seller may not want to sell it or may charge an outrageous price.
You can also purchase premium domains from a premium domain broker such as BuyDomains .
For more details, check out our 9 expert tips for buying a registered domain name.
Also, if you’re looking for a way to contact an existing domain owner, see our tutorial on how You can find out who actually owns a domain name (3 ways).
Can someone steal my domain name?
Yes, domain name theft can be devastating for small business owners. For this reason, it is important that you choose a well-known domain registrar with a good reputation.
Hackers can steal your domain name by gaining access to your domain registrar account. It is important that you use a strong password and set up 2-factor authentication.
In addition, we always recommend small business owners to use an identity theft protection service to get near real-time alerts on identity fraud, as domain theft and ransomware in general are a by-product of another hack.
Can I buy a domain name anonymously?
No, although you cannot buy a domain name anonymously due to ICANN regulations that require the registrar to have your contact information , you can ensure that your personal information remains anonymous from the public.
You can also appoint a registered agent or other person to register the domain on your behalf. For more details, see our guide to buying a domain name anonymously.
Have other helpful tips about domain names?
Yes, here are some other helpful tips on domain names:
- What is a subdomain – full explanation along with a step-by-step guide on how to create your subdomains
- What is the difference between domain names and web hosting – simply explained
- Which domain extension should I choose? Here is a .com vs. .net comparison and our list of the top domain extensions
- How to Get a Free Email Domain (5 Quick and Easy Methods)
- How to check domain name availability (simple search tools)
- How to move a WordPress to a new domain (without losing SEO)
We hope this article will help you helped to learn how to create a domain name for your website. You may also want to see our tips on how to make money online with your new domain name and/or how to create a professional email address with your domain.
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See also: Top 11 Website Builders for 2023
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