How to purchase a domain name
Buying a domain name can be confusing and overwhelming. We'll walk you through the process step by step, so that you know exactly what to expect during your purchase.
If you're looking for help buying a new domain or want clarity on any of the steps involved in the process, keep reading. This article explains how domain name purchases work. It covers everything from how to buy a domain name with confidence, to paying for it and transferring it over to your registrar.
Choose the right address
A domain name is the website address that people type in the browser URL bar. Simply put, if a website was a house, the domain name would be the address.
There are so many options out there, trying to choose the right one can be overwhelming. You need something that's memorable, easy to spell and pronounce, unique...the list goes on! Here's some helpful tips: What to look for in a domain name.
Find a Reliable Domain Registrar
Once you have a name in mind, check to see whether the domain is available at your favorite registrar (we recommend NameBright.com). If the domain is available, you're in luck. Simply register the domain names and it's yours.
If the domain name you want is already registered and active – and for sale – then you're also in luck. It means that you can own the domain once you settle upon a price with the seller. Many domain resellers offer escrow services to make the transaction run smoothly. To learn more, read our article How the buying process works.
A domain name registrar is the company that registers domains for customers. Registrars sell domains at wholesale prices-normally around $10-$15 (for .com extensions) per year with some additional fees.
There are plenty of choices, but not all of them are equally good at what they do. Some offer great prices and customer service while others provide top-notch security for your domains. Learn more about registrars.
Turn On Whois Privacy
Whois Privacy is a service that allows you to keep your personal contact information private when registering domain names or requesting Whois searches. By using Whois Privacy, no one will be able to see the true owner of any domain name or Whois search request.
You have the option to keep Whois private or public when you register a domain.
Remember to pay the yearly registration fees
Domain ownership is a lot like real estate: Registration fees equate to property taxes. Even if your mortgage is paid off in full, you still need to pay property taxes to avoid losing it.
Remember that nobody owns a domain name outright. You only get to lease the names. To maintain the rights to a domain name, you must pay yearly registration fees to the registrar. These fees typically run about $8 to $20 per year for a .com domain.
At most registrars, you have the option to keep your registration active for up to 10 years.
Get your domain today
Finding a domain name is the first step in starting your website. Without one, you can't create an online store or blog and it's difficult to grow an audience for either of those things without a web address that people know how to find.
If you've been thinking about creating a website of your own, it may be time to take the leap. We can help make this process as easy and accessible for you as possible by providing domain names that are available through the search tool on our homepage. Try it out and browse through some popular domains before settling on one! What will your new site be called?
