To buy a domain name, you need to visit a domain registrar, find the domain you want to purchase, and follow the instructions to buy it.
Keep in mind that buying a domain name is one of the most critical steps of starting a blog, personal site, or online business. Without one, users would not be able to easily access your website on the internet. All of our users with paid plans are able to connect their Hemp Sites website to their custom domain name.
Luckily, the process to register a domain name is quite straightforward – even beginners can complete it in a few minutes.
What’s a Domain Name? #
Each website and server on the internet has its own IP address used to identify it. IP addresses are long strings of numbers, which can be difficult for users to remember.
A domain name acts as a user-friendly substitute for an IP address – it is the URL or online address of your website. If people want to visit your site, they will type your domain name into the address bar of a browser.
The structure of domain names consists of two main parts – a second-level domain (SLD), which is usually the site’s or brand name, and a TLD like .com or .org. As an example, our domain name is Hemp Sites.com.
How to Buy a Domain Name #
Before we go any further, it’s worth noting that it’s only possible to register an existing domain name with a valid domain extension that other people or businesses don’t already own.
Here are the five steps to buy domain names:
Find a Credible Domain Registrar #
A domain registrar is a company that is responsible for registering and managing domain names. It’s accredited by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), a non-profit organization that controls the rules and regulations of website domain name registration.
Choosing a reliable domain registrar is crucial because it can impact a project or business for years. Pick the wrong one and you might end up paying hidden fees or even get scammed. For example, there have been cases where a domain registrar pressures users into purchasing domain names similar to the ones they hold under false pretenses.
It can be challenging to pick from hundreds of domain registrars out there as they all offer similar services. Therefore, consider the following when choosing a registrar:
- Pricing. Before making a website domain purchase, make sure to read the registrar’s terms of service and check for any hidden domain costs. Also, avoid registrars that offer low upfront fees for the first registration year but charge significantly higher renewal rates.
- Domain expiration policy. It’s crucial to renew a domain name before its expiration date to prevent other people from registering it. Thus, pick a registrar with auto-renewal and reminder features.
- Add-on services. Look for domain registrars that provide other valuable add-ons such as domain privacy or domain parking.
- Domain transfer policy. It’s possible to move domain names from one registrar to another, but some of them might make the process difficult or charge extra fees. Make sure to review the registrar’s domain transfer policy before making a purchase.
To make your decision a little easier, we 100% recommend using Porkbun. Porkbun is a domain registrar who seems to put the customer first instead of nickel and diming them for every little thing, it’s super easy to use, and we’ve never had a problem with them (and we have lots and lots of domain names registered!).
Run a Domain Name Search #
Now that you have found a registrar through which to register your domain, the next step is to perform a domain name search at that registrar.
When choosing a domain name, make sure to pick the right domain extension as well – it’s the suffix at the end of a web address. Domain name extensions are also referred to as top-level domains (TLDs).
There are different types of domain extensions available, such as:
- Country Code Top-Level Domain (ccTLD). This kind of TLD represents a specific country, letting both users and search engines know that a site is designed for visitors from a particular region. An example of this is the .us domain, which is the ccTLD for the United States.
- Sponsored Top-Level Domain (sTLD). It’s a type of TLD restricted to certain types of groups and organizations. Some of sTLD examples include .mil, .gov, and .edu.
- Generic Top-Level Domain (gTLD). It’s the most common type of TLD – it doesn’t rely on a country code and can be used for general purposes. A few examples of gTLDs include .com, .org, and .net.
When deciding on the extension that is suitable for your domain, look for a TLD that represents the purpose of your website. Choosing the wrong suffix can confuse visitors and make your brand name prone to being misinterpreted.
For example, a .com or .biz extension might be best for an eCommerce business or a coaching business. On the other hand, if you plan to create a blog to keep an online journal, an extension like .me can be an excellent solution.
Pick Your Domain #
After finding the best domain name for your project, it’s time to proceed with the checkout.
During this step, you’ll also need to choose the domain registration period. Registrars offer a variety of durations – from one to ten years. Before the initial registration period ends, the registrar will alert you to renew it.
Also, domain registration companies typically require users to pay for a minimum period of one year. However, other registrars might have a longer minimum registration period, like two years.
We recommend making a purchase for one year and turning on the auto-renew option so that your domain automatically renews after that first year is up!
Best Tips Before Buying a Domain Name #
Having a good domain name is essential since it can add extra credibility to a website, spread brand awareness, and ensure that users can find you on the internet. That’s why it’s crucial to dedicate some time to research before choosing the right domain name for your site.
Here are 15 tips to review before deciding on a domain name:
- Study your niche. Being aware of the most popular keywords and search terms in a niche will help you find a domain name that fits your project.
- Aim for a short and memorable domain. A catchy and short name is easier to spell and type than a long one. It will also increase the chances of visitors remembering the website name. Thus, aim to create a name with six to 14 characters.
- Go with .com if possible. The .com domain extension is currently the most popular top-level domain, so consider starting with this suffix since most web users will easily recognize it.
- Check for trademark infringement. To avoid any legal issues, try not to claim a domain name similar to popular, well-established brands. Use a registered trademark lookup tool to steer clear of such situations.
- Avoid numbers and hyphens. URLs with numbers and hyphens are harder to remember and type. It’s also challenging to communicate a name with spaces or numbers verbally. Stick to a domain made up of a single word or a set of words instead.
- Look for close alternatives. If you already have a domain name in mind, consider buying the common mistyped variations to ensure all the potential traffic reaches you. A great example is amzon.com, which takes visitors to the main Amazon website, or fb.com, which goes directly to Facebook.
- Research social media platforms. Once you have a rough idea of your domain name, look it up on popular social media platforms like Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook. Reserve a page for your project to prevent other people from taking the name.
- Think future-proof. Domains are a long-term investment. That’s why basing the name on a catchphrase that’s overhyped at this moment might not be the best approach in the long run. Therefore, consider where your business or brand might be in five or ten years before deciding to claim a domain name.
- Avoid double letters. Try not to use double letters in the domain since it can increase the chances of people misspelling the name, resulting in lost traffic.
- Leverage a domain name generator. Find more ideas with a domain name generator. Simply enter a word or phrase that describes your project, and it will give you a list of suggestions. Also, use other tools like Thesaurus to avoid using a word whose meaning you may have misinterpreted.
- Check the domain’s history. Ensure the domain wasn’t associated with a fake website by utilizing a tool like the Wayback Machine. It will help you find information about the background of a domain and see who its previous owners were.
- Discuss your ideas. If picking the right name for your website feels like a daunting task, consider presenting your ideas to friends, family, or colleagues. They might give you the piece of advice that you’re looking for.
When Should I Buy a Domain Name? #
The best time to register a domain depends on your project and urgency. However, it’s better to purchase it right away before a competitor claims the web address.
