How Do You Buy A Website Name
Once you've decided to build a website, you must make an important decision, even before you consult our list of the best web hosting services: What's your domain name going to be? You know, it's the [yoursitename.extension] web address by which all your (hopefully) many visitors find you. Your domain name is, in effect, the name of your website, so you want to make sure you get a good one.
how do you buy a website name
Purchasing a name is a relatively simple process, but finding one that isn't already taken can be a challenge. In addition, you should make sure that you understand the contract between you and the domain name registrar. If this is starting to sound a bit complicated, don't worry: We're here to help you get started.
Domain names put a friendly face on hard-to-remember numeric internet addresses. Every computer on the internet has a unique internet protocol (IP) number. A domain name represents this IP number. For example, the IP number for the domain name whitehouse.gov is 104.109.178.94. The purpose of a domain name is to give users an easy-to-remember handle so that when sending an e-mail to, let's say, the President of the United States, you can type [email protected] instead of the more unwieldy [email protected]
Anyone can buy a domain name. The most straightforward way to do so is to visit a domain name registrar, such as A2, GoDaddy, Google Domains, or Namecheap, key in the domain you want to buy, and pay a fee. The first two mentioned companies are web hosting services (more on that in a bit), while the last two are dedicated domain sellers.
If you're having trouble finding a domain name (because of crowding or cyber-squatters), check for a help facility on each registrar's site. Domain registrars typically house search engines that return a listing of available names similar to the one you want. When you search for a domain name at Namecheap, for example, you get both the status of that name and a list of suffixes available for that name. Maybe [Sitename].com isn't available, but [Sitename].biz or .org is.
The suffix identifies the name as belonging to a specific top-level domain (TLD). There are numerous TLDs available for general purchase, including .com, .edu, .game, .green, .hiphop, .net, and .org. The most popular of these by far is .com, which is supposed to indicate commercial sites, but in reality has come to include almost everything.
You can expect to pay anywhere from $1 per year to Scrooge McDuck bucks, depending on the domain name and suffix. In fact, if you're in search of a highly desired domain with a popular suffix, you may have to open your wallet in a big way, because chances are someone else already has it registered. Carinsurance.com, for example, sold for nearly $50 million(Opens in a new window)! As mentioned, there's also a thriving industry of squatters who look to flip domains (even those that are less obviously important than carinsurance.com) for profit. Some of them ask you to make an offer, suggesting that anything less than $500 will be ignored.
You don't always need to go to a dedicated registration service to buy a domain name, though this is the most direct approach. Many top-tier web hosting services, such as DreamHost, HostGator, and Hostwinds routinely offer a free domain name when you sign up for a web hosting package.
Keep in mind, however, that free domain names are usually free only for one or two years, after which the registrar bills you for the annual or biennial fee. In other words, the web host only pays for the first billing from the registrar. Also take note of whether or not the web host charges a fee for setting up a domain name. Most services offer to transfer an existing domain name to their servers at no cost, but sometimes you'll find a setup fee over and above the registrar's fee.
We'd all like to think that, once bought, a domain name is ours forever and under all circumstances. This is not necessarily the case. Be absolutely certain to research what you're getting before you pay. The contract you sign with the registrar could affect you in a number of ways.
Many registrars reserve the right to revoke your domain name for specific reasons, typically if you use the domain for illegal purposes or purposes deemed unacceptable (such as spamming). Many contracts contain a clause letting the registrar delete your domain name for no apparent reason. The implication, of course, is that the domain name is the registrar's, not yours.
You may not be able to use the domain name for several hours, or even a few days, after you register and pay for it. The domain must propagate, meaning that the official domain name registry must be updated with your website's Domain Name System information. That's something that occurs on the backend without any need of input from you.
Some registrars promise to have the name up nearly immediately, but the delay could be as long as seven days. Typically, however, you should expect to see the domain name up and running on the web within 48 hours.
Note that you can also transfer your domain name from one registration service to another. You'll want to do this if you're not satisfied with your current domain hosting service, if you find a better deal when your current registration is coming due, or, most likely, if you've signed up with a web hosting service that will also transfer your name to its site. Expect to get the transfer for free, but if that isn't offered, search for another domain hosting service.
Under no circumstances should you pay more to transfer a name than to get a new one. Check what the transfer requires. Does the new service handle the task completely? Or do you have to go into your current registrar's site and change the technical details manually? Finally, check the transfer policy of the registrar before registering your domain name.
As a general rule, you can't transfer a name during the first 60 days after registration, but the period could be much longer. Don't expect any registrar to refund money you've paid for months of service you won't use, either.
For more on the basics of getting your website up and running, check out How to Build a Website, 7 Things You Need to Know When Building an E-Commerce Website, and How to Get Started With WordPress.Neil Randall contributed to this story.
The first step towards building a website is to find a good domain name and register it. In this article, we will show you how to register a domain name, step by step. We will also share a tip on how you can register a domain name for free.
No, you do not need a website to register a domain name. You can register a domain name and make a website later. You can also register a domain name and setup a temporary website or coming soon page with SeedProd.
Network Solutions is one of the oldest names in the domain name business. They have been registering domain names since 1993 and at that time were the only registrar for all common domain name extensions.
You should always stick to .com domain names. They are the easiest to remember, and most mobile devices have a dedicated .com key in their keyboards. For more details, see our article on the difference between domain name extensions.
Apart from the most common .com, .net, and .org, there are dozens more domain name extensions available. However, these new domain extensions are hard to remember and difficult to brand. To learn more, see our article on choosing a new domain extension for your website.
You cannot buy a domain name permanently. Domain name registration is done on a yearly basis. However, you can pre-pay for up to 10 years which guarantees that you will have a domain name for 10 years.
Unless you 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 it is not guaranteed, and you can lose control of your domain name if you let it expire.
You can renew your domain name from your domain control panel. We strongly recommend that you turn on auto-renew feature to automatically renew your domain name. You can always turn it off if you decide not to keep a domain name.
No, while you cannot buy a domain name anonymously due to ICANN regulation which requires the registrar to have your contact information, you can most certainly keep your personal information anonymous from the general public.
We hope this article helped you learn how to register 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 free business email address.
Editorial Staff at WPBeginner is a team of WordPress experts led by Syed Balkhi with over 16 years of experience building WordPress websites. We have been creating WordPress tutorials since 2009, and WPBeginner has become the largest free WordPress resource site in the industry.
If I buy a domain name.1. Is automatically registered?2. If I then put the domain name on my product can I stamp it with a T in a circle behind it to show the world it is a registered Trade Mark?
I have a blog on wordpress.com and pay around $70 per year. Am I able to switch to wordpress.org and retain my domain name that is through wordpress.com? I love my domain name and do not want to give it up. Thanks.
Learning how to buy a domain name and how to come up with one are some of the most important steps in creating a website. This is because a good domain name makes it easier for people to visit and remember your site.
We will explain what to consider before buying a domain name, how to buy a domain name, and how to purchase a domain name that is already taken. Additionally, we will offer information on domain name pricing and guide you on what to do after buying the domain name.
Choose a catchy domain name that is easy to read, spell, type, and pronounce. A short and memorable domain helps lower the risk of people mistyping or forgetting the address. These types of domain names also make for easier word-of-mouth promotion and look more professional on both offline and digital marketing materials. 041b061a72