Once you’ve decided to build a website, you must make an important decision even before you consult our list of the best web hosting services: What’s your domain name? It’s the [yoursitename.extension] web address by which all your visitors find you. Your domain name is, in effect, the name of your website, so you want to make sure you get a good one. Purchasing a name is a relatively simple process, but finding one that isn’t already taken can be challenging. In addition, you should make sure that you understand the contract between you and the domain name registrar. If this sounds a bit complicated, don’t worry, we’re here to help you get started.
(Credit: Namecheap/PCMag)
What Is a Domain Name?Domain names (aka top-level domain names) put a friendly face on hard-to-remember numeric internet addresses. Every computer on the internet has a unique internet protocol (IP) number. A domain name represents this IP number. For example, the IP number for the White House’s website is 104.109.178.94. However, no one wants to remember that. A domain name lets you key whitehouse.gov into a browser to visit the site without learning a number string.Where Is the Best Place to Buy a Domain Name?Anyone can buy a domain name. The most straightforward way to do so is to visit a domain name registrar, such as A2, GoDaddy, Google Domains, or Namecheap, key in the domain you want to buy, and pay a fee. The first two mentioned companies are web hosting services (more on that in a bit), while the last two are dedicated domain sellers.You can’t buy just any domain—only one that isn’t already registered by another person or business and bears a valid domain suffix. In general, you’ll want to buy something catchy and short so that it’s easy for people to remember to type into a browser or search engine—like “PCMag,” for example. This is good for search engine optimization (SEO). It’s also common sense. You might also want to research key terms for your business. If you can get a good one into your site’s name, that’s all the better, from an SEO perspective.
Recommended Domain Name Registrars
Domain.com – Web Hosting from $3.75/month
You might find that many of the shortest, catchiest names are taken already, especially if you’re entering a space already well-represented on the web. To make matters worse, cyber-squatters often scoop up these attractive names as an investment to resell them later to legitimate would-be site owners—more on this later.If you’re having trouble finding a domain name (because of crowding or cyber-squatters), check for a help facility on each registrar’s site. Domain registrars typically house listings featuring available names similar to the one you want. When you search for a domain name at Namecheap, for example, you get the status of that name and a list of available suffixes. Maybe [Sitename].com isn’t available, but [Sitename].biz or .org is.The suffix identifies the name as belonging to a specific top-level domain (TLD). Numerous TLDs are available for general purchase, including .com, .edu, .game, .green, .hiphop, .net, and .org. The most popular of these is .com, which is supposed to indicate commercial sites but has come to include almost everything.How Much Does It Cost to Register a Domain Name?Depending on the domain name and suffix, you can expect to pay anywhere from $1 per year to Scrooge McDuck bucks. In fact, if you’re searching for a highly desired domain with a popular suffix, you may have to pay in a big way because someone else already has it registered. For example, the SEO-friendly Carinsurance.com (and the associated website) sold for nearly $50 million. As mentioned, there’s also a thriving industry of squatters looking to flip domains (even those less obviously important than carinsurance.com) for profit.
The Best Web Hosting Services We’ve Tested
Can You Buy a Domain Name From a Web Host?You don’t always need to go to a dedicated registration service to buy a domain name, though this is the most direct approach. Many top-tier web hosting services, such as DreamHost, HostGator, and Hostwinds, offer a free domain name when signing up for a web hosting package.However, remember that free domain names are usually free only for one or two years, after which the registrar bills you for the annual or biennial fee. In other words, the web host only pays for the first billing from the registrar. Also, note whether the web host charges a fee for setting up a domain name. Most services offer to transfer an existing domain name to their servers at no cost, but sometimes, you’ll find a setup fee over and above the registrar’s fee.Not all web hosts give you the option to register a domain name. Cloudways, for example, is a dependable web host that requires you to purchase a domain name from elsewhere. Registrars offer various registration durations—one year, three, five, and even ten. Be careful about registering for more than a year, though. First, there might be restrictions on your ability to transfer the domain name should the registrar give poor service. Second, the registrar could go out of business, leaving your domain name without a host. Closely check the policies.What’s in a Domain Name Contract?We’d all like to think that a domain name is ours forever. This is not necessarily the case. Be absolutely certain to research what you’re getting before you pay. The contract you sign with the registrar could affect you in several ways.Many registrars reserve the right to revoke your domain name for specific reasons, typically if you use the domain for illegal purposes or purposes deemed unacceptable (such as spamming). Many contracts contain a clause letting the registrar delete your domain name for no apparent reason. The implication, of course, is that the domain name is the registrar’s, not yours.
Recommended by Our Editors
Furthermore, practically all registrars reserve the right to change the registration agreement whenever they wish without letting you know. Therefore, every registrar must be carefully examined.
5 Things You Need to Know About Web Hosting
How Soon Can You Use a Domain Name After Signing Up?You may not be able to use the domain name for several hours or even a few days after you register and pay for it. The domain must propagate, meaning that the official domain name registry must be updated with your website’s Domain Name System information. That’s something that occurs on the backend without any input from you.Some registrars promise to have the name up nearly immediately, but the delay could be as long as seven days. Typically, you should expect to see the domain name up and running on the web within 48 hours.You can also transfer your domain name from one registration service to another. You’ll want to do this if you’re not satisfied with your current domain hosting service, if you find a better deal when your current registration is coming due, or, most likely if you’ve signed up with a web hosting service that will also transfer your name to its site. Expect to get the transfer for free, but if that isn’t offered, search for another domain hosting service.Under no circumstances should you pay more money to transfer a name than to get a new one. Check what the transfer requires. Does the new service handle the task completely? Or do you have to go to your current registrar’s site and change the technical details manually? Finally, check the registrar’s transfer policy before registering your domain name.Generally, you can’t transfer a name during the first 60 days after registration, but the period could be much longer. Don’t expect any registrar to refund money you’ve paid for months of service you won’t use, either.For more on the basics of getting your website up and running, check out how to build a website, 7 things you need to know when building an e-commerce site, and how to get started with WordPress.Neil Randall contributed to this story.
Get Our Best Stories!
Sign up for What’s New Now to get our top stories delivered to your inbox every morning.
This newsletter may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. Subscribing to a newsletter indicates your consent to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe from the newsletters at any time.
About Jeffrey L. Wilson
Managing Editor, Apps and Gaming
Since 2004, I’ve penned gadget- and video game-related nerd-copy for a variety of publications, including the late, great 1UP; Laptop; Parenting; Sync; Wise Bread; and WWE. I now apply that knowledge and skillset as the Managing Editor of PCMag’s Apps & Gaming team.
Read Jeffrey L.’s full bio
Read the latest from Jeffrey L. Wilson
About Gabriel Zamora
My career has taken me through an eclectic assortment of fields, and connected me with people from all walks of life. This experience includes construction, professional cooking, podcasting, and, of course, writing. I’ve been typing up geeky takes since 2009, ultimately landing a freelancing position at PCMag. This blossomed into a full-time tech analyst position in 2021, where I lend my personal insight on the matters of web hosting, streaming music, mobile apps, and video games.
Read Gabriel’s full bio
Read the latest from Gabriel Zamora
