Congratulations! You just made a concrete decision of starting your blogging journey.
Now what?
You need to take the first action step: purchasing a domain name from the best registrar.
Now, as you come along, you might be wondering, “how can I purchase a domain name from any registrar?”
Don’t bother.
In this article, you’re going to learn the step-by-step process of buying a domain name from start to end.
So, stay tuned!
What is a Domain Name?
In case you don’t know, a domain name is a textual name of a complex figure given to each website.
That unique numerical is separated by a full stop and consists of four different numbers. That is called an IP address.
Yes, this is your address to your virtual working station – your website.
However, these numbers are hard to remember and to provide a great user experience, the domain name system (DNS) has been discovered.
The benefit of DNS is that it connects the IP address and to the internet. Now the computer and its administrator both are happy. Life becomes easy.
So, a domain name is your site address made by combining your business name and an extension.
For example, alimohammad.me (alimohammad is your business name, and .me is an extension).
A domain name, along with some additional information, creates URLs (Uniform Resource Locator).
For instance: alimohammad.me/about
Previously, you had to type the numeric IP address to reach your desired website. But after the DNS, you can utilize a domain name to find a web page.
It’s simple. Isn’t it?
How to Finalize a Perfect Domain Name?
It is essential to know how thoroughly you should think about your domain name.
If the quality of your website or business is excellent, then people visit your site. A domain name is the crucial element of the website. Then it is a tough step to choose the perfect domain name for the site.
Here are some tips which will assist you to choose the perfect domain name. Check out these tips and select the ideal and suitable domain name for your website. Follow the below mentioned tips for choosing the perfect domain name without any problem.
1. Make it easy to remember or type
Finding a domain name that is difficult to type should not be selected. If you use slang or words with numerous spellings (express versus Xpress), it may be more earnest for clients to discover your site.
2. Keep short and attractive
The most important and necessary step is the length of the domain name. It is vital to keep the domain name short and straightforward. It is very easy for customers. If you are choosing the long and tough domain name, then it is complicated for the customer while typing your website.
You must keep the URL short and easy to remember.
3. Use the main keywords
Always try to use keywords in the domain name. It provides many benefits for your business and also helps in generating business. It describes your services and provides knowledge to the customers about the services you are providing. For example, if your company offers glass repair services, then select domain as glassrepair.com or glassreplacement.com.
Following these practices will also help to increase your website ranking in the search engines.
4.Target the area
If your business is nearby, consider remembering your city or state for your URL name to make it easy for local clients to discover and reach out to you.
5. Avoid using hyphens and numbers
Numbers and hyphens are frequently misconstrued — individuals who hear your site address don’t have a clue whether you’re utilizing a numeral (5) or it’s illuminated (five) or they lose or overlook the scramble. If you need it in your space, register the various varieties to be sheltered. Avoid using hyphens and numbers.
6. Be important
There is a vast number of enlisted area names, so having a space that is snappy and critical is fundamental. When you’ve thought of a name, share it with dear companions to ensure that it sounds engaging and goes well to other people.
7. Exploration it
Ensure the name you’ve chosen isn’t reserved, copyrighted or being utilized by another organization. It could bring about a huge legitimate wreck that could cost you a fortune, just as your domain!
8. Utilize a suitable domain name augmentation
Augmentations are postfixes, for example, .com or .net, towards the finish of web addresses. These can have explicit utilizations, so make a point to pick one that works for your business. The .com domain expansion is by a wide margin the most mainstream. However, it tends to be challenging to get a short and noteworthy .com area name since it’s been around from a very long time.
9. Secure and manufacture your image
To secure your image, you should buy different space augmentations, just as incorrectly spelt forms of your area name. It keeps contenders from enlisting various ways and guarantees that your clients are coordinated to your site, regardless of whether they mistyped it.
10. Act quick
Area names sell rapidly. Fortunately, they’re likewise modest, so register your preferred area names at the earliest opportunity. In case you’re experiencing difficulty finding an available name, area enlistment centres like GoDaddy will propose exchange names during your space search to assist you with finding the ideal area name.
Stick to these tips for choosing the right domain name for your website and make your website easy to remember.
How to Register a Perfect Domain Name?
Now you know what a domain name is. So, let’s take you through the action steps and purchase your domain name without wasting time.
1. Decide on your domain name registrar
Domain name registrars are those organizations that allow you to register a domain name for your business.
You can register a domain name of your choice for one year to 10 years at a time. But you can’t purchase it permanently.
Before choosing the registrar, you need to keep a few things in mind:
- If the domain registrar is trustworthy or not.
- What is the pricing of your preferable extension at different points?
- What are the additional features you will get for free?
- What are the add-ons available for future expansion?
- If the domain transfer facility is available?
- If you can get technical support in each step?
And likewise.
Answer these, and you will find your favourite one. Some of the best domain name registrars include Namecheap, namesilo, Godaddy, network solutions, Bluehost, domain.com, name.com, etc.
You can check out our best domain registrar guide to get a clear idea.
2. Check if your domain name is available
You can check the availability of your domain name at any registrar. Let me show you a clear step-by-step process.
Let’s assume I want to blog about hosting reviews, and I got a good domain name idea, “hostingtear.com”.
Now we need to check it on a different registrar.
You can directly type your domain name on the search box or go to the domain tab and click on the “domain name search” tool.
Now, if it’s showing “the domain name is available”, then add it to the cart. We’re going to learn how to purchase it in a bit.
3. Lock your choice
If you are successful at finding the domain name of your choice, move it to the cart. Otherwise, brainstorm another name and check it for availability.
Repeat the cycle until you finalize your decision.
You can check for multiple available options so that you could lock your choice later after considering some other points.
Once you find 3-4 available domain names, now think which one is easy to find and represents your business perfectly.
Sometimes, business owners purchase multiple extensions with their domain name for protecting their brand identity.
You can check the availability of other extensions such as .org, .net. Or you can purchase country-specific options too for targeting particular geolocation.
Another good practice is purchasing the commonly misspelt names as alternatives to your domain name.
So that when your audience mistakenly types your name, they would redirect to your website.
It’s a choice, but not mandatory.
4. Buy your domain name
Now that you’ve decided on the name, the only step you need to do is buy it. There is a little different procedure for buying domain names from separate registrars. Let me show you the best possible options.
How to buy a domain name from Namecheap?
After you finalize the domain name, click on add to cart.
With Namecheap, you’ll get domain protection completely free forever. However, if you want to choose any other additional services such as SSL or professional email, you can add them.
Else if you have a tight budget, leave that now and click on checkout.
Now choose the duration of domain registration from the drop-down menu. Check the auto-renewal option if you don’t want to lose your domain after the expiry date.
If you have a promo code, you can apply that for an additional discount. Otherwise, click on “confirm order”.
Now you’ll be asked to log in or register. Fill in your information and continue.
After filling in your contact information, you’ll reach a page where you need to confirm the Whois information. Cross-check and click on continue.
Then you’ll be redirected to the payment page. Here you have to fill in the credit card details or PayPal, then choose it and checkout.
After successful payment, your domain will be registered for your chosen period successfully.
How to purchase a domain from Namesilo?
Add and continue to the checkout option.
Now you’ll be able to use this page. Check the information and apply for a coupon if you have one. Otherwise, click on continue.
Login or Register.
Now the final step here is to choose your payment option and all the details. Then it will ask you to make the payment, and you’re all set.
The process is similar in other domain registrars as well.
5. Verify Ownership of Your New Domain
Now, as you’ve registered a domain name for your blog or website, you need to inform google about the ownership.
That means you need to verify the ownership of your domain name.
You might be thinking, “how?”
Well, let’s do it!
Step-1: Move to Google webmaster central.
Step-2: Click on “add a property”.
Step-3: Enter your domain name into the search bar and click continue.
Step-4: Choose the alternative methods tab and click on the “domain name provider” option.
Step-5: Follow the instructions of google webmaster central and add a text record or CNAME record to your DNS record of domain registrar.
Step-6: After adding, click on the verify button.
And now you can see the success message.
How to Get a Domain Name for Free?
If you are wondering how to purchase a domain name for free, then here I’m going to answer your question.
It’s simple. You need to purchase a web hosting service.
However, there are limited options.
Some hosting providers, such as Bluehost, provide a domain name of your choice as a bonus for one year.
Another option is hostinger. Now, let’s see how you can get a domain name for free from these providers.
How to get a domain name for free from Bluehost?
Visit the official site of Bluehost.
Go to the hosting tab now and click on shared hosting.
Now you can see different choices from basic to pro.
If you have a very tight budget, then click on the basic option. Otherwise, we recommend you select the plus one.
Click on select, and you’ll be redirected to the domain page. Enter your domain name in the search bar.
If it’s showing as available, that means you’re all set. Otherwise, enter an alternative one. Then click next.
Now you need to fill in your details. First is your account information, second is the package information, third is package extras (keep the domain privacy on and you can select or deselect others), and payment information.
Check the declaration and then click on submit.
It will take you to another page and ask you to complete the payment. After successful payment, you can start building your blog with the hosting you purchased along with a FREE domain.
The process is similar if you want to purchase hosting for a free domain from hostinger.
If you can’t invest now but still want a domain name of your choice, then you can consider some self-hosted platforms like blogger.com, medium.com, wix.com, weebly.com or wordpress.com.
Here you will get a domain name with their branding. For example, yourdomain.wordpress.com.
FAQ:
How much does a domain name cost?
The cost of a domain name depends on the type of extension you are choosing and sometimes the keywords used. It varies from around $1 to $30.
Some extensions like .org, .net, .com, .co and .io are quite popular among people and have a high price tag as well.
If you purchase the domain name with a hosting service from providers like Bluehost, you’re eligible for a free domain name.
Likewise, some provide coupon codes for special discount offers to their audience.
However, the price and benefits always differ from one registrar to another for a domain name.
Do I Need a Website to Register a Domain Name?
No. You don’t need a website to register a domain name.
But, after registration, you can either create your website (by joining your domain with hosting and installing the wordpress software) or connect your domain name with self-hosted platforms like blogger.com.
However, you can’t build a website without a domain name and hosting service.
What is a TLD?
TLD stands for Top-level Domain. TLDs are nothing but the extensions like .com, .de, .org, etc.
There are different parts of a domain name. We can understand this with a clear example.
Let’s say your domain name is “en.example.net”
Here, “.net” is a TLD. “Example” is a 2LD that means Second Level domain. And “en” is 3LD which stands for the third-level domain.
In other words, you can say, TLD is the top and most generic part of a domain name.
Which is the best domain name registrar?
In our experience, the domain name that suits your business purpose is the best for you.
However, if you want a cheap rate and free bonus materials, then “namesilo” is the perfect choice.
If you want to purchase hosting along with a domain name, then Bluehost is the best option for you.
And if you want a cheap cost along with privacy protection for free, then “Namecheap” is perfect for you. Choose what seems best according to your scenario.
How do I renew my domain name?
The renewal process varies from registrar to registrar.
Most of the time, you need to check if your domain name expiry date exceeds.
Then you can either click on the renew button and make the payment to continue it or contact your registrar to ask for the renewal process or any discount offers available to reduce the renewal cost.
If you don’t want to lose your domain name, keep the auto-renewal option on. If your card information is not added to your domain provider, you must keep it updated.
However, if your domain name is already expired, you need to check the WHOIS record first. For this, you can visit whois.icann.org. Check your current registrar, and then contact the support team.
They will tell you about the possible ways to renew your domain name back. Then follow the steps to restore it.
When the initial expiry date exceeds, your domain name is usually marked as expired but remains active for about 30 days. So, you have some time to post expiry time to save your website.
After that period, your website stops working, and your domain name is stored under expired domains.
