How do you buy a website address? This is essential information for those wanting to start a blog or a business site. Purchasing a domain for the first time can be intimidating, but it’s shockingly simple.
Just follow the steps of how to buy a domain name, as highlighted in this article, and get started on building an online presence. Use this guide to learn everything from choosing the perfect domain name to picking the best domain registrar.
But first, let’s clear up one thing—the definition of a domain name.
Domain names are the words people enter in a search engine’s address bar to visit a website. They are translated from IP addresses by a structure called the domain name system (DNS).
An IP address is a sequence of numbers that points to the location of a website. It’s inconvenient to remember long strings of numbers, so using domain names is the better option for netizens.
Put simply, if an IP address is a website’s location coordinates, a domain name is its street address. The latter is easier to remember compared to the former, which is composed of four sets of numbers ranging from 0 to 255.
Having a domain name allows a business to reserve its space on the Internet. Domain registration is a step towards securing that space. Here are some of the perks of convincing business owners to register their domain.
A reason to spend money on a unique domain name is that it makes a business or personal website appear more professional. A free website hosting plan gives out generic URLs that can hurt a brand’s reputation. The extra cost of registering a name is worth it for an organized and reputable image.
A domain is also essential for building a brand and making customers aware that a business exists. The right domain name should match the company name and hopefully make it easier for people to remember a brand.
Another incentive to register a domain name is that it will allow a business to switch web hosting providers or transfer physical locations without starting from scratch. A domain name stays with the brand as long as you renew your domain.
Like finding the right business name, choosing the right domain name should also be a top priority. But with millions of domains available, this task is easier said than done.
Here are some tips to make the search easier.
The .com top-level domain (TLD) is still the standard when it comes to domain extensions. Google says that the TLD doesn’t affect a website’s search rank. However, it does affect a consumer’s perception of a brand.
The .org and .net extensions are good secondary options if the chosen domain name isn’t available with the. com domain extension. TLDs like .gov and .edu are also valuable but are meant explicitly for government and educational institutions.
To create a memorable brand, steer clear of generic-sounding domain names. Instead of choosing something straightforward like cheapautoinsurance.com, pick one that matches the company name, especially if it’s unique. Geico.com is a good example.
A URL address that contains generic keywords might appear spammy to customers, leading them to avoid visiting a site.
Google is partial to domain names that are short, easy to remember, and contain the content they promise. Pick a name that has few characters (6 to 14 is ideal) but still matches a brand.
Short domain names are beneficial not only for search engine rankings but also for marketing materials and for leaving an impression on customers.
The downside of a short name, though, is that they may be they’re harder to come by in the domain marketplace.
Another tip to remember when learning to buy a name is to avoid domains with numbers and hyphens. Domain names with non-alphabetical characters can confuse customers and decrease site traffic.
Those who are still undecided about a business or domain name can use domain name generator tools to get some ideas. Pick a tool, type some relevant words or phrases, and see what suggestions come up.
Choose some strong contenders and then check which of them are available to be registered.
Avoid picking dated names that are attached to a trendy phrase or a specific year. Think of the name that will make a web address future-proof. After all, they’re also a kind of investment for a business.
After finding out what makes a perfect domain name, let’s focus on where and how to buy one. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to buy a website name.
For starters, pick a domain registrar to register the domain accredited by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), the organization that oversees the coordination and maintenance of online namespaces and numerical spaces.
The good news is that there are many reliable domain name registrars to choose from. ICANN's website has a directory of accredited registrars.
Next, conduct a domain name search using a domain availability tool. Such a tool is available for free on platforms like GoDaddy, Namecheap, and Mailchimp. It can also generate a list of available and memorable domain names with different extensions for those looking for domains other than the .com option.
Often, a buyer’s first, second, and third domain name choices will be unavailable. It’s best to keep options open and be flexible when choosing. Consider other domain extensions or devising other iterations of the preferred name to find a domain when it becomes available.
Now, it’s time to buy a domain name. Purchasing a domain typically involves disclosing the buyer’s contact information and email address. Depending on their needs or preferences, they can pay to register a name for a year, a couple of years, or a decade.
Lastly, the new domain owner should verify their ownership of a domain. Doing so would allow them to use the domain name’s email and prevent other people from using it.
The buyer will typically receive an email after the purchase through which they’ll receive instructions on how to verify their ownership. This process is only done once.
If a domain is already taken, there’s still a way to acquire it.
Start by finding the domain name’s owner. The WHOIS directory is helpful for this. Just type the domain in a WHOIS domain lookup tool to see their contact information. Get in touch with the owner and see if they’re open to the idea of selling their domain.
Buyers can negotiate a price themselves or hire a broker to handle the buying process if they have the budget for one. Once a deal is made, remember to use an escrow service when paying for the domain.
After securing a new top-level domain, it’s time to create a website. Business owners can use a technology platform like Mailchimp, which has a free website builder, to get the job done. They can connect their domain to a Mailchimp account and get the ability to also connect with apps like WordPress and Squarespace.
GoDaddy is one of the biggest domain registrars and website hosting providers on the Internet. It’s also a marketplace specializing in hosting auctions of expired domains.
Let’s see what features and perks it offers when it comes to buying and registering domain names.
GoDaddy has an AI-powered business and domain name generator to help users pick the best name. It also offers a free logo for users starting to build their website after buying a domain on the site.
GoDaddy has millions of domain names for sale on its platform. So, the fact that it’s easy to search and buy similar domain names makes it an attractive choice for business owners looking to use a domain name and build their online presence.
Here’s how to use GoDaddy to find the perfect name.
1. Type the desired domain name in the search bar and consider the suggestions that appear.
2. Keep your domain name that's short and memorable. Avoid selecting one with hyphens and numbers.
3. Pick a domain extension.
4. Register different domains that have misspellings and other extensions of the chosen domain name.
5. Add to cart and proceed to checkout.
6. To keep your domain, set the auto-renew and note the domain expiration date.
GoDaddy has hundreds of domain extensions available from which to choose. Here are some of those options
Domain investors will also find additional tools and resources to help them build their portfolio at GoDaddy. They can join the platform’s Discount Domain Club, where they have the chance to get 60% off of GoDaddy’s domain name registration service and get discounts on transfers and renewals.
Another perk of buying a domain from GoDaddy is that each purchase comes with free domain privacy. This means that a domain owner’s WHOIS directory information will be replaced with proxy details to protect their privacy.
Speaking of security, GoDaddy also offers free secure sockets layer (SSL) certificates with its website hosting service.
Namecheap is a domain registrar and web hosting company specializing in selling affordable domains and related services.
Here’s a rundown of what domain buyers can expect from the platform.
Living up to its name, the domain marketplace offers new customers the .com name you want for as low as $6.49 as of 2024. If you happen to find the domain you want on another platform, you can get free domain transfers on Namecheap.
Meanwhile, those looking for a free website builder can try out Namecheap’s 14-day trials for their Site Maker service.
Namecheap often has several ongoing promos for its users. As of September 2024, it offers free trials and discounts for services like email hosting, annual web hosting plans, and VPN plans.
Choosing and buying a domain is just the start of making your website stand out from the crowd. Connect the domain name to a website and publish it for netizens to see. To do this, you’ll need a server to host the site.
Every domain on every website will expire at some point. Before expiration, owners must manually renew their domain name registration to avoid losing the domain.
A domain registration can last for a year, a couple of years, or for an entire decade.
If the owner fails to remember to renew their domain, it may end up registered by somebody else.
Some businesses will use a country-specific TLD to inform customers that they’re based in a particular country. However, the location of the owner doesn’t really matter when it comes to choosing a domain name.
Whether they’re in the United States or somewhere in Europe, the owner can register a .com domain if they want to.
Over a million domains can be bought from online marketplaces, auctions, or through direct negotiations with the domain owner. To avoid getting scammed, it’s recommended to stick to available domain names from reputable platforms like GoDaddy, Namecheap, Hostinger, and similar services.
They also tend to offer deals on web hosting plans and domain transfers with purchases.
Domains can’t be owned permanently. However, they can be registered for as long as ten years. To avoid losing a domain, enable the auto-renewal option with your registrar.
Some domain name registrars like Hostinger offer a free domain name with their hosting plans. This includes .com domains and other TLDs.
You're in! Watch your inbox for top-quality domain updates.
Something went wrong.
You're in! Watch your inbox for top-quality domain updates.
Something went wrong.
