How to Buy a Domain Name in 5 Simple Steps and What to Consider When Purchasing a Domain
A domain name serves as your web address and a powerful branding tool for building first impressions. If you want to build an online presence, you’ll need a perfect domain name for the job.
This article will guide you through the steps of buying a domain name, as well as tips for choosing one. We will also discuss domain name prices to help you budget and what to do if your first option has already been taken.
How to Buy a Domain Name in 5 Simple Steps and What to Consider When Purchasing a Domain
A domain name serves as your web address and a powerful branding tool for building first impressions. If you want to build an online presence, you’ll need a perfect domain name for the job.
This article will guide you through the steps of buying a domain name, as well as tips for choosing one. We will also discuss domain name prices to help you budget and what to do if your first option has already been taken.
How to Buy a Domain Name in 5 Simple Steps:
1. Brainstorm Your Domain Name
As a web address and vital marketing tool, your domain name should be unique and align with your branding. So, let’s start by searching for an available domain name and matching it with the right extension.
Also known as top-level domains (TLDs), domain extensions are placed at the end of a web address. For instance, Hostinger.com has Hostinger as the address and .com as the domain extension.
To decide on a suitable extension, consider the purpose of your site.
For example, .com, .biz, and .store domain extensions are perfect for an eCommerce business. On the other hand, using a .me or .online TLD is an excellent option for personal blogs or online portfolio sites.
2. Choose a Reliable Domain Registrar
A domain registrar is a company responsible for registering and managing domain names. It must also follow the rules set by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), the organization that governs domain registrations worldwide.
Different domain name registrars have different features, pricing, support quality, and security levels. Some registrars, like Hostinger, also offer complementary services like website hosting and email hosting.
How to Buy a Domain Name in 5 Simple Steps and What to Consider When Purchasing a Domain
A domain name serves as your web address and a powerful branding tool for building first impressions. If you want to build an online presence, you’ll need a perfect domain name for the job.
This article will guide you through the steps of buying a domain name, as well as tips for choosing one. We will also discuss domain name prices to help you budget and what to do if your first option has already been taken.
How to Buy a Domain Name in 5 Simple Steps
Before we discuss the steps, let’s talk about the possibility of getting a free domain name. With Hostinger, you can get a free one-year domain registration by purchasing an annual hosting plan. What’s more, once you become our customer, you’ll have a chance to get a Domain Bundle deal, which will include domains with the same domain name but different extensions – a great way to future-proof your branding.
As a web hosting provider, Hostinger simplifies everything by providing both domain name registration and web hosting services on one platform.
The following steps will guide you through the process of buying a domain without relying on web hosting companies.
1. Brainstorm Your Domain Name
As a web address and vital marketing tool, your domain name should be unique and align with your branding. So, let’s start by searching for an available domain name and matching it with the right extension.
Also known as top-level domains (TLDs), domain extensions are placed at the end of a web address. For instance, Hostinger.com has Hostinger as the address and .com as the domain extension.
There are different types of domain extensions available:
- Generic Top-Level Domain (gTLD) ‒ the most common type of TLD for general purposes. Popular examples include .com, .org, and .net. Newer extensions like .xyz, .club, and .online also belong to this category.
- Country Code Top-Level Domain (ccTLD) ‒ two-letter top-level domains representing a particular country or geographic location, such as .us and .uk. Since local authorities regulate them, the registration process may have specific requirements and restrictions.
- Sponsored Top-Level Domain (sTLD) ‒ designed for specific entities. For example, EDUCAUSE sponsors .edu for educational organizations, while .gov is reserved for government bodies.
To decide on a suitable extension, consider the purpose of your site.
For example, .com, .biz, and .store domain extensions are perfect for an eCommerce business. On the other hand, using a .me or .online TLD is an excellent option for personal blogs or online portfolio sites.
Hostinger even has an AI-powered domain checker tool that can suggest domain names based on your brand description.
2. Choose a Reliable Domain Registrar
A domain registrar is a company responsible for registering and managing domain names. It must also follow the rules set by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), the organization that governs domain registrations worldwide.
Different domain name registrars have different features, pricing, support quality, and security levels. Some registrars, like Hostinger, also offer complementary services like website hosting and email hosting.
Consider these factors when making your choice:
- Registration period ‒ look for domain registrars that offer discounts for longer registration periods.
- Domain transfers ‒ check whether your preferred registrar has flexible transfer policies with reasonable fees.
- Value for money ‒ some domain registrars offer free WHOIS domain privacy protection, while others waive the domain registration cost for the first year when buying an annual web hosting plan. Make sure you get the most out of your money.
- Extensions ‒ since each domain registrar has its own set of extensions, choose the one that supports your preferred domain extension.
- Ease of use ‒ a good domain registrar should have a clean layout with user-friendly features.
- Customer support ‒ pick a domain registrar that offers 24/7 support and a well-maintained knowledge base to help you quickly resolve any issues.
- Renewal process ‒ choosing a domain registrar with an auto-renewal feature ensures you won’t lose your domain if you forget to renew it manually.
3. Purchase Your Domain
After confirming that your preferred domain name is available, it’s time to purchase it.
Here’s how to register a domain name with Hostinger:
- After running a domain name search, select Add to Cart next to your chosen domain. Consider registering other TLDs for your domain to prevent misuse by competitors and boost brand awareness. For instance, we have hostinger.com as our primary domain, along with hostinger.in and hostinger.fr for local outreach.
- On the shopping cart window, choose a registration period. Register your domain for at least two years for the best deal.4. Verify Domain Name Ownership.
4. Verify Domain Name Ownership
The final step is to verify your contact information. Check your inbox for an email from the registry and verify it within 15 days. Failure to do so can result in a temporary domain suspension by the registry.
If the email doesn’t arrive, resend the request from the Domain Overview page as soon as possible. Alternatively, change your contact information before resending the verification email
5. Protect Your Domain
When you register a domain, your contact information becomes publicly available through the WHOIS database for transparency. As a result, you’re prone to spam messages and cyber attacks.
Getting domain privacy protection reduces the risk of fraud and identity theft by keeping your personal information hidden. Your domain registrar will replace your contact information with their own in the WHOIS database, ensuring privacy while still complying with ICANN’s rules.