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How to Register a Domain Name

Learning how to register a domain name properly is important. Many will rush the process and regret their decision. If you have ever wondered, “How do I register a domain name?” or maybe you already know how to get a domain name but are just unsure of what the best way to go about it is then this guide is for you. Take some time, do your homework, and read our comprehensive domain registration how to guide so that you can learn how to register a web domain name the right way.

Choosing A Good Domain Name

The first thing that you need to do is choose a domain name. This seems obvious but many people will just haphazardly throw different ideas around when choosing a domain name and just register a domain name that happens to catch their fancy without really thinking things through. Being creative when choosing a domain name is a great thing but it is important to first decide what you want to register the domain name for so that you can channel that creativity properly. While domain name registration will only cost around $10 per year you still want to think things through carefully before you begin your domain name search. To find an absolutely great domain then use our free domain finder tools. To read more domain name choosing tips then read the how to choose a domain name guide.

Checking the Availability of a Domain Name

Once you have gotten a couple of ideas for domain names that you would like to register then it is time to check the availability of your desired domain name(s). To instantly check the availability of a domain name then try out our instant domain search tool.

Choosing a Domain Registrar

Ok, so you have chosen a domain name, you have checked to make sure that the domain is available to register, and now the next step is to choose a domain registrar to register the domain with. Here are the most important things for you to keep in mind:

1. Quantity of Domains – If you are planning on purchasing a lot of domains (say 50 or more) then you will probably want to choose a registrar like GoDaddy or Moniker because they have tools that will allow you to very easily perform bulk management tasks with multiple domains. If you are planning on registering less than 50 domains then you have other great registrar options like 1and1.

2. Privacy – All registrars offer the option for you to add private domain registration to your domain. However, the price for private registration can vary widely from one registrar to the next. 1and1 offers free private registration with each domain, while GoDaddy offers free private registration on domains as long as you register 5 or more domain names on your order. Many other registrars charge anywhere from $5 to $15 extra per year to add private registration to your domain. If you are considering registering your domain privately then your best option is probably 1and1 or GoDaddy.

3. Price – Finding cheap domain registration is of course something that we all want. If you have narrowed down your registrar choices to those that will meet your domain quantity needs and your domain privacy needs then everything else being equal go with the cheapest domain name registration that you can! However, while price is important be careful to still choose a legitimate registrar that has a proven track record of good customer service. The last thing you want is for something to cause a problem with your domain name registration years down the road and you not be able to get help when you need it from your registrar. Some of the cheapest domain name registrars that are reputable companies with strong customer service include GoDaddy and 1and1.

For in depth registrar advice then read the how to choose a domain name registrar guide.

Buying the Domain Name

All registrars will accept payment in the form of a credit card and most will accept payment via PayPal. You can expect to pay approximately $10 per year to register a domain name. Some registrars will allow you to register your domain name for longer than 1 year although you will be charged for the entire amount up front so many people choose to simply register a domain for the 1 year minimum time period. When it comes to renewing your domain name registration annually then if you tend to be forgetful about these types of things you should take advantage of the “auto renew” domain registration option that most registrars will offer so that you do not let your domain name registration lapse unintentionally.

After the Domain Name Registration

After the domain name registration process is complete then your next steps should be learning how to choose the best hosting plan for your domain(s). After you have chosen a hosting provider then you may also need to learn how to set up nameservers for your domain.

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