What Domain Extensions Should I Register If I Cant Get .com

Are y'all looking to annals a domain proper name, but don't know where to beginning?

Part of creating a website is ownership a domain proper noun that has to exist unique.

In this step-by-stride guideline, we're going to testify you several options on how to register a domain proper noun and also cover some commonly asked questions that might pop up in your heed while registering a domain.

Table of contents

Why a Good Domain Name is Of import?
How to Register a Domain Proper noun: iv Options
Domain Registration FAQs
To Conclude: How to Register a Domain Proper name

Set? Let's first start by explaining why is it crucial to choose a good domain name.

Why a Good Domain Name is Of import?

A domain proper name is your unique identifier among billions of other websites on the web. That's why having a memorable and easy-to-type name is essential for having an online presence.

Your domain proper noun serves as an extension of your personal or business proper noun. In that sense information technology:

Improves recognition and sensation.
Adds extra credibility to your venture.
Eventually boosts visitors' think.

Also, choosing a skillful domain proper name is important for SEO. Several years agone verbal lucifer domains (EMDs) were all the rage, but today nigh people choose brandable domain names.

Memorable domain names get typed to Google more frequently. Algorithms keep track of that and assign more authority to your website. As the branded search volume grows, your domain name earns extra authority points, then that information technology gets easier to rank for related keywords.

With that existence said, let's move on to the how-to part.

Good to know: The first step earlier registering a domain name should be choosing a website platform that y'all're going to build your site on. Hither is our step-by-step tutorial on how to brand a website with WordPress.

How to Annals a Domain Proper name: iv Options

Using Domain.com
Using GoDaddy.com
Using Namecheap.com
Using Bluehost web hosting (offers free domain for one twelvemonth)

To get a domain proper noun, you'll need to 'phone call dibs' with ICANN. ICANN is a global not-profit authorization that maintains records on which domain and IP address belongs to whom and manages access to them.

But ICANN doesn't provide registration services, it only maintains records. That'due south where domain name registrars come into play.

The principal office of a register is to:

Coordinate claims on different domain names.
Match specific domain names with Domain Name System (DNS) nameservers.
Ensure that at that place are no duplicate domain names.

Technically speaking, y'all are not buying a domain name from a registrar company, simply reserve its usage for a specified time. Y'all can pay to reserve a domain for i-x years at a fourth dimension, depending on the registrar. After your initial subscription expires, you'll need to renew information technology and pay a fee again. You can re-purchase your domain proper name over and over again.

When registering a domain name, you sign a long-term lease of your domain (without the ability to buy it out for good). Yous can read more nearly the domain costs here.

In practise, all of the in a higher place is much simpler than you retrieve equally nosotros will evidence below.

i. How to Go a Domain Name from Domain.com

Domain.com is a reputable domain registrar, launched in 1998. Over 1.ii meg websites are registered with them.

Domain.com features the almost popular top level domains (TLDs) such as .com, .cyberspace, .org, .co, forth with over 25 county-specific domain extensions (.fr, .au, .co.britain, and more than).

They are more often than not selling affordable domain names with almost names priced in the $ix.99-$12.99/year range. If y'all are lucky, you lot can besides steal a bargain and buy your domain name for as depression as $2.99/year.

For that price you get:

one-year domain ownership.
Gratis SSL certificate for actress security.
Automatic email forwarding to your domain.
DNS registration and direction tools.

Besides, you tin purchase extra Domain Privacy+Protection for your domain (costs $eight.99/year). In this case, your personal details will not be displayed publicly in the WHOIS/ICANN directories. Plus, the registrar will as well run extra security checks.

Sounds sugariness? Hither'due south how to register a domain name on Domain.com.

Step one: Run a quick search to verify that the domain proper noun you are eying is available.

Step 2: Pick your domain extension. Become for .com since information technology's the well-nigh familiar option among users and thus, people, tend to type .com earlier trying anything else.

Your option gets automatically added to your cart with a 2-year privacy protection subscription. This i'southward optional, then you can remove it during the next step. Also, you can modify your domain renewal catamenia from one year to five years.

Moreover, you lot tin can pick some add-on services such equally:

A professional e-mail address, matching your domain name.
Access to a drag & driblet website builder.
A spider web hosting programme (don't rush to take hold of it!).
SiteLock website security tool.

Footstep 3 : Provide your billing and payment information in one case you lot are done with your selections. Add a coupon code "WEBSITESETUP25" to get 25% off of the commencement payment, review your choice(s), and keep with checkout.

Utilise this coupon code when registering to go 25% OFF – "WEBSITESETUP25"

Note: Re-check your domain spelling before hitting "Buy Now". Domain.com doesn't let y'all modify your domain name postal service-purchase if you misspelled it.

2. How to Register a Domain on GoDaddy.com

GoDaddy is also known equally a web hosting provider, but you can as well buy a domain proper noun from them.

Step 1: Wait up a new domain proper name showtime. If yous haven't come upwards with a good name yet or are assessing different options, GoDaddy has a nice fix of extra features to help yous out.

You can use the Bulk Domain search to check a bunch of domain ideas for eligibility in a click. Or you lot can play effectually with their free domain name generator to go some culling suggestions if your primary choice is already taken:

Too, if yous are feeling very determined to get your desired domain for branding purposes, GoDaddy tin try to banker a deal for you with the owner. But retrieve, the original owner may name any price they deem advisable then in that case, you'll be paying:

Domain purchase fee to the seller.
GoDaddy Domain Brokerage commission.
The regular yearly subscription price for the selected domain and add-ons.

If you are running a small business organization, going into a heated negotiation with some cyber squatters may not exist the all-time investment of your time and budgets.

Expect out and meet if the other person forgets to renew their domain or abandons it and so that you could snatch it then. GoDaddy has a Domain Backordering service (starting at $24.98 per domain) where you lot can reserve your place in line for a specific domain. If there'south more than 1 heir-apparent, the domain goes on sale. If information technology's just you only, you get information technology immediately.

Stride 2: Once you've made your pick, grab all the TLDs you want to your basket and so select your renewals menstruation (i to 10 years).

GoDaddy regularly runs unlike promos, then it's like shooting fish in a barrel to get a actually affordable domain with them. Also, the annual charge per unit includes:

The ability to create upward to 100 subdomains for your website.
Basic privacy protection: your personal details will not be visible on WHOIS.
For personal name domains: free forwarding to your Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twitter account.
Existent-time domain monitoring and security tools.
Excellent customer back up.

Step 3: In one case you've finished filling your cart with domains, click proceed to checkout. At the side by side screen, you'll be given an option to pick some extra handy features such as:

Extra domain privacy and security coverage.
Free "Coming Soon" folio.
An email address to match your domain.

Step 4: Continue to your cart and carefully review your purchase summary. Pay attending to the fact that GoDaddy charges a lower rate for 1-year domains. But the price may get up if you lot sign up for 2+years.

Once again, you'd exist pitched several upsells in instance you change your mind.

Step 5: Create an accounting or sign in using your Facebook or Google Account.

Stride 6: Provide your billing information. Then add a valid payment method (remember: you lot'll be auto-billed each year, so your card shouldn't be too close to expiring). Review all the details one last time and click 'purchase' to become your new domain name(s) registered.

3. How to Get a Domain Name From Namecheap.com

Namecheap is another popular website for buying domain names and getting website hosting. Equally their domain name prompts, they often have a lot of good deals and somewhat lower annular prices than GoDaddy, for example.

And so if yous love a expert bargain, here'south how to buy a domain name via Namecheap.

Step ane: Run your desired domain name search first and review available options. Namecheap has a actually huge collection of new TLDs such as .art .digital, .luxury amidst 400+ other options.

Also, if your name isn't available or you'd like to become some more than ideas, switch to their avant-garde search view aka the Creature Mode:

As you tin can run across from in a higher place, y'all take a lot more features to play with such as price range, suffix/prefix, and so on. This tin can help you drill down to that perfect domain name that is short, memorable, available, and yet cheap!

Step 2: Afterward yous've chosen the all-time contenders, go on to your cart to beginning the checkout procedure. At this indicate, you can likewise add some extras and customize your society:

With Namecheap, y'all get a lifetime free WHOIS protection for every domain name, plus they recently added a bonus premium DNS offering (priced at $iv,88/year). When you lot enable it, your domain gets yearly protection against DNS/DDoS attacks (that are on the rise!), plus ultra-fast global DNS response. This gives you some extra leverage in terms of your website speed.

On top of that, yous tin select some affordable upwardly-sells such equally:

A yearly hosting program with a website builder included.
Dedicated managed WordPress web host.
SSL certificate for extra protection (recommended for websites processing payments).
VPN subscription.
A professional person email accost for your domain.

Likewise, you tin play around with your renewal. Namecheap provides a pocket-size discount for two+ years.

Footstep three: To confirm your society you'll need to create an account with Namecheap. However, they don't offer an option to log in with Google or Facebook, so y'all'll need to provide an email address.

Step 4: Afterward login, yous'll need to provide your billing details, add a payment method, and proceed with the buy.

4. How to Annals a Domain Name For Gratuitous (Using Bluehost)

Y'all've heard the rumor well-nigh free domain names. Is it true?

Yes! In that location are actually means to get a free domain proper noun for your website.

First, you can get a complimentary domain name for a web hosting provider such every bit Bluehost.

They offer every new user a 1-year free domain with any of their hosting plans. You can either register a brand new domain proper noun with them or transfer a domain name, registered with some other company.

Some other hosting providers who besides have a 1-yr 'free domain' policy:

HostGator
Dreamhost
InMotion Hosting

Note: The downside of getting a domain name from a hosting provider is more expensive renewals. After a free year, nigh hosting providers volition charge a higher renewal fee, compared to domain registrars.

Domain Registration FAQs

Hither are some commonly asked questions.

1. What are Domain Name Extensions?

Domain name extensions help categorize unlike domain names. It's a special bureaucracy, invented for the Net.

You can choose amongst popular top-level domain extensions (TLDs) such as:

.com
.org
.net

Or get with a local domain extension such as if you want to focus on building a presence in a specific country:

.co.u.k.
.es
.fr
.au

Also, there's a bunch of creative domain extensions, launched recently. You lot can try playing effectually with them to create a shorter, brandable name. For example:

Alchemi.st
Autu.mn
Dear.ly
Handma.de

2. How to Buy a Website Domain for Always?

As we explained, domain names are not for complete sale. Substantially, you are reserving domain name usage for a gear up menses (10-years max at a fourth dimension). But you tin can keep renewing your domain name as many times as you lot want to.

While you cannot buy it out for good from a registrar, you can hold on to your domain proper name for as long as you are paying your renewal fee.

three. What Happens If I Don't Renew My Domain Name?

If you didn't set motorcar-renewal or forgot to manually do then despite the reminders from your domain registrar, your domain name will expire. This means several things:

Your website volition no longer be accessible by anyone who types your URL.
The domain name will be available for sale again, typically in 30-days or so after expiration.
It can too be auctioned on a website domain auction.

In essence, failure to pay a renewal fee means lost access to your domain.

iv. Tin I Transfer My Domain Name?

Yes, near domain registrars can also facilitate the process of transferring a domain name from 1 person to another (if certain weather are met). For example, if you lot want to buy a premium domain name from someone, a registrar can help process the deal securely.

Also, you tin can transfer your domain name between different registrars if you establish a better deal, for example, or just need some extra features.

Below are linked assist documents for doing that with each registrar:

Domain.com
GoDaddy
Namecheap

5. How to Find Out Who Owns a Domain Name?

When you register a domain name, the ICANN (Net Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) requires you to provide personal contact data that will exist stored in the WHOIS database.

Basically, as soon as the domain name is in the database, the record is publicly available to anyone who uses the WHOIS search tool.

There are loads of WHOIS tools available on the Net, simply you can attempt out, for example, the ICANN Lookup tool.

To Conclude: How to Register a Domain Name

Congratulations! If you lot followed through with our step-by-step guide, yous should now know how to register a domain name.

What y'all need is come up with (or inquiry on the platform) a sound discussion philharmonic, decide on your domain extension, pick some handful add together-ons, and pay for your subscription. Afterward, the registrar will provide you with further quick instructions for connecting your domain name to your website, so that you can finally get visible on the web.

Have a question about how to annals a domain name for your website that is not included here? Leave us a annotate below.