How to register a domain name in 2024
“Verified by an expert” means that this article has been thoroughly reviewed and evaluated for accuracy.
BLUEPRINT
Published 7:56 a.m. UTC Dec. 6, 2023
Editorial Note: Blueprint may earn a commission from affiliate partner links featured here on our site. This commission does not influence our editors' opinions or evaluations. Please view our full advertiser disclosure policy.
© Cody Scanlan/Holland Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK / USA TODAY NETWORK, Imagn Images
For the uninitiated, registering a domain can sound like a daunting task. But in all reality, as long as your domain name is available, the job takes mere minutes. The upfront investment for registering a domain name is minimal too, with plenty of options for under $11 per year.
Here we’ll cover how to pick your domain name and registrar, how to complete your domain registration and how much it will cost.
Featured domain registrar offers
Domain.com
Starting Price
$8.99
Renewal Cost
$13.99
Free WHOIS privacy
No
Namecheap
Starting Price
$5.98
Renewal Cost
$14.58
Free WHOIS privacy
Yes
Spaceship
Starting Price
$8.48
Renewal Cost
$9.55
Free WHOIS privacy
Yes
What is a domain name?
At the root of every URL, there is a domain name. An example of a domain name is google.com. Domains can also be found at the tail end of every email address.
Domain names replace your website’s IP address, making it easier for visitors to find your website. An organization called Internet Corporation for Assigned Name and Numbers (ICANN) oversees almost all domain registrations, ensuring there’s no duplication. ICANN also loosely regulates domain registrars.
Types of domains
There are a number of different domain types. You might see .com, .gov or .org as you’re browsing the web.
“These are just different TLDs or ‘top-level domains,’” said Grayson Bell, owner of iMark Interactive. “There are actually over 1,000 domain extensions now because they are running out of options for people to register .com, .net, etc.”
Here are some of the most common TLD options:
- .com — The most common domain type and the one your clients and customers are most likely to remember.
- .net — A variation of .com.
- .co — A comparatively modern variation of .com.
- .org — Traditionally to indicate that the organization was a nonprofit, but that’s not necessarily the case currently.
- .edu — Indicates an educational institution. In the U.S., .edu is regulated by Educause.
- .gov — Reserved for government websites. Learn more on Dotgov.
“There used to be more rules for top-level domains, but they are not really followed as much,” said Bell. “.Gov and .edu tend to be the only ones enforced. .Org used to be for non-profit organizations, but today that is loosely enforced, and anyone can use .org now with no checks.”
Steps to register a domain name
Registering a domain name may sound intimidating, but it’s truly simple in practice. In fact, we’re able to boil the process down to just four simple steps. It all starts with the fun part: picking your domain name.
1. Decide on a domain name
Your domain name is important. It tells customers and clients about your brand and is the primary way they find you online. For that reason, it’s generally good to have a domain name that’s simple and easy to remember. Ideally, it’s just the name of your business, but if you vary from this format, you’ll want to ensure it’s something memorable.
2. Check availability
Don’t get too attached to the domain name until you check its availability. An initial way to do this is by typing the domain name into your browser. If you get a message that says something along the lines of ‘we can’t connect to the server,’ it’s possible the domain is available. If you think the domain is available, you can check for sure with a domain registrar like Dynadot or Porkbun.
If you land on a website or an advertisement saying the domain is for sale, though, the domain is not available. Just because a domain name isn’t available doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t secure it. It just means you’ll need to buy it from a third party if they are willing to sell.
If there’s already a full website at that domain, it’s likely that the current owner will be unwilling to sell — or that they will demand top dollar.
As you search for the domain name, be sure to check the .com version — even if you’re not interested in the .com TLD. Even when you use a different TLD, it’s typically smart to buy the .com version, too — when that’s possible. That way, you can redirect traffic to the correct domain when people search for you under the more memorable .com designation.
3. Select a domain registrar
After you’ve determined availability, the next step is to get the domain registered. Some registrars also offer hosting services. The converse is also true — some hosting companies also offer domain registration.
Some questions to ask yourself as you consider the best domain registrar for your needs include:
- What’s the pricing structure? The price might look great for the first year, but does it spike in year two? It’s not impossible to change domain registrars after the initial registration, but it is a chore. For that reason, it’s typically best to look at the registrar with the fairest prices for your needs on an ongoing basis rather than the best promotional offer.
- How much are SSL certificates? An SSL certificate is an important security feature. It’s what turns your ‘http:// into https://. Some registrars provide certificates for free, while others charge a fee.
- Is WHOIS privacy protection available? Bell highly recommends adding WHOIS privacy protection to your domain registration. Otherwise, you end up getting spam calls and emails immediately after buying the domain.
- Is customer service available? This is especially important if you’re registering the domain and securing hosting from the same company.
Porkbun
Porkbun has one of the best pricing structures around. The price is only $10.37 per year for a .com domain — both in the first year and every year after that. While other registrars like DreamHost and Namecheap do offer lower prices during the first year, they get more expensive moving forward.
The deal gets even sweeter as WHOIS privacy protection and SSL certificates are tacked on for free. Porkbun has extensive customer service features, including phone, live chat and email.
Website hosting starts at $30 per year, though you may be offered a couple of free months depending on your package. You get three free months of email hosting with your domain registration but will be charged $24 per year after that.
Dynadot
Dynadot is cheaper than Porkbun at the time of writing — though these two do swap places for best pricing regularly. A .com registration will run you $10.19 per month per year, and the price doesn’t go up after year one.
While Dynadot offers email and live chat support, it does not offer phone support, which Porkbun does. Dynadot also charges for its SSL certificates — either $16.99 or $80.00 per year.
Your first email address with a Dynadot domain will be free. If you want to extend domain-specific emails to other members of your team, though, you will need to upgrade to the $20 per month package.
Similarly, you get free website hosting, but only up to 500 MB. If you upload a ton of videos or high-quality photos, that might not be enough. The Pro Website Builder plan gives you unlimited storage and other features but for a price of $20 per month.
Namecheap
Namecheap starts out relatively cheap with .com TLDs for $10.28 for the first year. After that, prices jump up to $15.88 per year. There is no phone support, but you can reach customer service through live chat or by submitting a ticket. SSL certificates start at $5.99 per year but can cost up to $126.25 depending on how much extra protection you want to purchase. Privacy protection is free with your domain purchase.
Namecheap’s website hosting services can cost anywhere from $1.98 to $62.88 per month, though sometimes you can score a free trial for a month or two depending on the package. Email hosting ranges from $1.24 to $5.99 per month.
4. Buy and register your domain
Once you’ve identified your registrar, you’ll interact with their website to buy and register your domain name. The registrar handles all the complicated contracts with ICANN and takes care of WHOIS registration and SSL certificates when offered. All you have to do is engage in a checkout process with a few clicks of a button.
How much does it cost to register a domain name?
At the time of writing, the best domain registrars are offering .com TLDs for $10.19 to $15.88 per year. However, the cost to register a domain name varies widely by registrar. As you compare current prices, be sure to bear in mind that the cheapest may not be the best.
First, you have to be aware of promotional periods. Otherwise, your automatic bill payment next year may be unexpectedly large. You’ll also want to consider the availability and costs of things like SSL certificates and WHOIS registration, as well as whether or not you want your domain registrar to handle your website and email hosting, too.
Featured domain registrar offers
Domain.com
Starting Price
$8.99
Renewal Cost
$13.99
Free WHOIS privacy
No
Namecheap
Starting Price
$5.98
Renewal Cost
$14.58
Free WHOIS privacy
Yes
Spaceship
Starting Price
$8.48
Renewal Cost
$9.55
Free WHOIS privacy
Yes
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Yes, domain registration is typically good for one year, at which point you’ll need to renew your domain registration. Most domain registrars will set you up on auto renewal so your registration won’t lapse.
No, you cannot permanently buy a domain name. The max term per ICANN rules is 10 years.
“Technically, all domain names are rentals,” said Bell. “If you don’t renew, it goes back into auction where anyone can purchase the ability to use it.”
In some cases, you can register a domain name for free. If you’re buying your hosting and domain registration as a package, you’ll often see promotions where you get the first year of domain registration for free. These promotions sometimes even cover ICANN fees, said Bell.
However, you have to be cautious because, if the first year is free, odds are very high that the years after will be more expensive than you’d find with a registrar like Porkbun or Dynadot.
Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
Blueprint has an advertiser disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Blueprint editorial staff alone. Blueprint adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.
-
Best WordPress hosting services in 2024
Web hosting Alan Bradley
-
GoDaddy review: Pros and cons in 2024
Web hosting Alan Bradley
-
Best cheap WordPress hosting in 2024
Web hosting Alison Kilian
