The first domain proper noun in history was Symbolics.com, which was registered on March 15, 1985. Today, there are more than 300 million domain names, with millions more added each year. A domain name is substantially the address that visitors volition type into their browser address bar to arrive at your website.

Domain names allow users to easily connect to other computer IP addresses by typing in an accost like "Google.com" instead of Google'due south numerical IP address of "74.125.239.116." In other words, domain names make our lives a lot easier.

Google's IP address could be used instead of a domain name.

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Your domain name is an important part of establishing your brand. No two domain names can be exactly alike, although they can exist similar. Ideally, your domain proper name will be unique and distinctive, so users don't misfile information technology with other domain names or dissimilar businesses.

You might be wondering — isn't a domain name, then, but a website? Although they are similar, domain names and websites take of import differences. Your domain name is the address for your website; it is what people utilise to find your website, which consists of pages, images, and other files.

Choosing and registering a domain name is often the get-go footstep when building a website. Read on to learn how to register a domain proper noun.

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GoDaddy's home page, a site where you can register your domain name.

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ane. Find a domain name registrar.

The not-profit Net Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) oversees the entire organisation of domain names, and it allows exterior companies, called domain registrars, to sell and manage domain names. You lot will need to annals your domain proper name through a registrar.

Some of the nigh popular domain registrars include GoDaddy, Bluehost, and Domain.com, although in that location are many more to choose from. Exist sure to carefully consider pricing and policies for each one before choosing your domain registrar, as information technology will be managing your domain name.

2. Search for your domain name'south availability.

Once you have found the right domain registrar for yous, you'll need to search for your domain name using the registrar'south search bar. There are millions of domain names out there, with thousands more added daily.

If you have your heart set on a domain name earlier doing a search, you lot might be disappointed to find information technology is already taken. Proceed an open up listen and comprise important keywords into your domain when appropriate.

3. Finalize your domain name choice.

Once you've brainstormed several domain options, consider which ones are available and choose the one that fits your brand best and volition also exist like shooting fish in a barrel for users to find.

4. Choose a domain proper noun suffix, such as .com or .net.

After settling on the domain name, consider the suffix. The most pop suffix is .com, although .net and .org are likewise popular. These are considered to be top-level domains, or the highest-level domain suffixes in the domain naming system.

At that place are besides other varieties to consider, such as country code peak-level domains. These domain names finish in a suffix that is particular to a specific country. A website in Germany might end in .de, for example.

Finally, there is some other class of domain name suffixes called "sponsored, elevation-level domains," which are sponsored by a specific community related to the domain name. For example, .gov is for the U.Southward. regime and .edu is for education organizations.

For about websites, .com is the all-time suffix for its ease of utilise, just if you have a specialized website, yous might consider a country lawmaking or sponsored tiptop-level domain.

5. Purchase the domain proper noun.

When you have settled on the domain name and a suffix, you will pay to register the domain name with the domain registrar. This is not a one-time purchase, withal. Typically, yous will pay to own the domain name for one year, after which you tin renew your registration for a fee. Y'all tin expect a registration fee of virtually $x to $fifteen.

WordPress allows domain name registration on its site.

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6. Add domain ID protection.

When y'all register a domain name with ICANN, you must provide your contact information including your name, phone number, physical address, and email accost.

As before long equally your domain name is registered, this contact information becomes bachelor to the public — unless you pay for domain privacy through your domain registrar. This domain privacy will shield your information from view keeping your personal information prophylactic from spammers or worse, identity thieves.

Domain WHOIS Privacy allows domain ID protection.

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Once you've got the domain name in hand, you lot're set to discover hosting and build your website. Consider a free CMS, like HubSpot, to design your website, strategize for SEO, and create a blog.

Cost to Annals a Domain Name

According to HostGator, domain name cost ranges from gratuitous to tens of thousands of dollars, with the boilerplate domain name settling effectually $10-$12 annually. These factors volition affect what you'd pay for a specific domain:

  • The demand for the item name you lot choose (e.g. cars.com sold for $872 million because of how "valuable" that real manor was perceived to be)
  • The TLD domain extension (e.g. .com is perceived to be a more valuable TLD than less-used TLDs such as .info.)
  • The domain registrar you're purchasing from
  • Whether the domain has already been purchased past someone else (and now has it for sale at a much higher price)
  • Whether you commit to an annual payment or another payment schedule
  • Add-ons such every bit privacy

Whether you choose a free or paid domain will depend on your budget and your website's purpose. For example, you might need a basic website or something simple and temporary. In that case, a gratuitous domain name might be a good choice.

However, paid domain names look more professional and are more likely to abound with your brand. You should ultimately decide what will work best for your business and goals.

How to Register a Domain Name for Free

Looking for a gratuitous domain proper name? There are several domain registrars, website hosting providers, and website builders offering complimentary domain names, typically with the purchase of another service or with no cost but some customization limitations.

Wix, a website builder, allows domain name registration.

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one. Wix

Wix is a pop drag-and-drop website builder that allows you to annals a free domain name with the stipulation that it includes Wix's proper noun as well. This means that although y'all get your domain name for free, it volition read yourdomainname.wix.com. This is a merchandise-off to consider when registering a domain proper noun for gratuitous.

Weebly, a website builder, offers domain name registration.

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ii. Weebly

Like Wix, Weebly offers a simple website architect with a free domain proper name that will appear as yourwebsite.weebly.com. You lot will accept limited admission to the site-edifice features, but you will save annual fees for domain names. This is a great option for temporary or basic websites.

Bluehost allows domain name registration.

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iii. Bluehost

Bluehost is a spider web hosting provider that volition offering you a free domain name for one year with the buy of its web hosting plan. If you are in the market place for both a domain proper name and a spider web hosting provider to get your business online, this can aid you save money on the commencement twelvemonth'due south expenses by adding the domain proper name on for free with a purchase you lot were already planning to make.

WordPress offers domain name registration.

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4. WordPress

WordPress will besides offer a free domain proper noun, although information technology will appear as yourdomainname.wordpress.com. If you register your domain name here, you can easily build your website with WordPress, too. WordPress is the most widely used content management system, so yous'll find it easier to add together functionality with plugins and become support when yous need it.

GoDaddy offers free domain names.

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5. GoDaddy

Some other web hosting provider, GoDaddy offers costless domain names, so long every bit you buy one of its hosting plans. GoDaddy is loved for its low rates for hosting plans and its added security tools that browse for and remove malware and backup your website.

Build Your Business By Registering Your Domain

After weighing the benefits and drawbacks of free or paid domains, yous should get started on your search for the perfect domain proper noun. Domain names can go chop-chop — and at that place's a footling more contest than Symbolics had in 1985 — so it is important to register the i you want earlier information technology is as well late.

Registering a domain name is quick and easy, simply it does have some time to begin the right proper noun, select the optimal suffix, and observe the right domain registrar for yous. As such, there'due south no meliorate time than now to become started on registering your domain name.

Editor'due south note: This post was originally published in Feb 2020 and has been updated for comprehensiveness.

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Originally published December thirteen, 2020 7:00:00 AM, updated March 31 2022