Domain Name Purchasing Explained
You know how your website needs a cool and catchy name to stand out from the crowd? Well, that name is your domain name! Think of it like your website's street address, except instead of a house, your website is chillin' on the internet.
OK, now the first thing you need to do is find a domain name registrar. Domain registrars are kind of like real estate agents for the internet - they act as middle-men reserving the domain on your behalf, and keeping it safely on their register. Registrars send through handy renewal reminders for any that you’ve purchased, which means you’re more likely to keep that domain safely under your name. Most will also let you buy your domain for a 1 yearly fee, while others include discounts if you purchase them for an extended period of time (2, 5 or 10 years etc.), which can help you save some moolah!
In no particular order, we’ve listed just some of the top global domain name registrars in 2023, and where they’re based:
GoDaddy (US)
Bluehost (US)
Namecheap (US)
DreamHost (US)
Alibaba Cloud (China)
Xin Net (China)
GMO Internet (Japan)
Google Domains (US)
Discount Domains (New Zealand)
Netregistry (Australia)
United Internet (Europe)
Hostinger (Europe)
Crazy Domains (New Zealand)
HostGator (US)
OVH (Europe)
SiteGround (Europe)
DreamHost (US)
Net4 India (India)
Name.com (US)
Domain.com (US)
Once you’ve found a registrar that you like, and who fits your needs, it’s time to search for your perfect domain!
When you purchase a domain, you're basically staking your claim to a specific digital address, and just like with real estate, the domain name you’re super keen on might’ve already been snapped up by another buyer, either recently or ages ago. But fear not, with a little creativity and some good old fashioned brainstorming, you can find the perfect name for your online home. And since new domain name extensions get released pretty often, there’s a chance you could come across the perfect fit for your new venture!
If you’ve done some brainstorming and some research, and found that the domain you want isn't available, then one option is to add words that explain what your biz is all about e.g. shop, store, agency. It could even be using the domain name extension you’re able to get e.g. .shop, and moving it into the second level domain e.g. funflowersshop.com, instead of funflowers.shop.
Another option is to see if it becomes available because the current owner doesn’t want to renew their order. So if you’re super keen on a specific domain name and don't need it urgently, then you could look into this backorder option. Just check with the domain registrar that you’re keen to use, and see if they offer domain backorder services. It’s like putting your hand up to say you’d like to purchase that particular domain when it becomes available - just know that paying for a backorder doesn’t guarantee you’ll be able to buy it.
When you’re searching for a domain name, it’s best to avoid misspelling it, like using ‘u’ instead of ‘you’, or using numbers instead of words, like ‘4’ instead of ‘for’…unless of course your brand already uses these in their name, otherwise it can get confusing for any potential visitors. The last thing you want to do is have a great product or service that can’t be found easily!
Now, once you've found your dream domain, it's time to seal the deal. You'll need to make the purchase from the domain registrar of your choice. Just remember that like with any business, registrars can change in popularity and what services they offer, so it's always a good idea to do a bit of research.
Once you’ve found the registrar you want to go with and you’ve created an account with them, it’s time to get your payment details sorted, and make the purchase - and just like that, you're the proud owner of your very own domain name! It's like getting the keys to your new digital pad, but with way less moving boxes and a lot more cyber-swagger.
So go ahead, and claim your corner of the internet with that sweet new domain name, and get ready for exciting things to come from it!