The showtime 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 than added each year. A domain proper name is essentially the address that visitors will type into their browser address bar to get in at your website.

Domain names allow users to hands connect to other computer IP addresses past typing in an accost similar "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.

Image Source

Your domain proper noun is an important part of establishing your brand. No two domain names tin can be exactly akin, although they tin be like. Ideally, your domain name will be unique and distinctive, so users don't confuse it with other domain names or different businesses.

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

Choosing and registering a domain name is often the outset step when edifice a website. Read on to learn how to register a domain proper name.

Free Download: 77 Examples of Brilliant Web Design 

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

Image Source

1. Find a domain proper noun registrar.

The non-profit Net Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) oversees the entire system of domain names, and it allows outside companies, called domain registrars, to sell and manage domain names. You lot volition need to register your domain name through a registrar.

Some of the most popular domain registrars include GoDaddy, Bluehost, and Domain.com, although in that location are many more than to choose from. Be sure to advisedly consider pricing and policies for each one earlier choosing your domain registrar, as it volition exist managing your domain proper name.

2. Search for your domain name'southward availability.

Once you accept found the right domain registrar for you, you lot'll need to search for your domain name using the registrar's search bar. There are millions of domain names out in that location, with thousands more added daily.

If y'all have your heart prepare on a domain name before doing a search, yous might be disappointed to notice information technology is already taken. Keep an open mind and incorporate important keywords into your domain when advisable.

3. Finalize your domain name selection.

In one case you've brainstormed several domain options, consider which ones are available and choose the ane that fits your brand best and will also be piece of cake for users to discover.

4. Choose a domain proper name suffix, such every bit .com or .net.

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

There are as well other varieties to consider, such as state code summit-level domains. These domain names end in a suffix that is particular to a specific country. A website in Deutschland might terminate in .de, for example.

Finally, there is another class of domain name suffixes called "sponsored, pinnacle-level domains," which are sponsored by a specific community related to the domain name. For example, .gov is for the U.S. government and .edu is for instruction organizations.

For most websites, .com is the best suffix for its ease of use, but if yous have a specialized website, you might consider a country code or sponsored top-level domain.

5. Purchase the domain name.

When you have settled on the domain name and a suffix, you will pay to annals the domain proper noun with the domain registrar. This is not a one-fourth dimension buy, withal. Typically, you will pay to own the domain name for one year, afterward which yous tin can renew your registration for a fee. You tin expect a registration fee of most $10 to $15.

WordPress allows domain name registration on its site.

Image Source

6. Add domain ID protection.

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

As soon as your domain name is registered, this contact information becomes available to the public — unless you pay for domain privacy through your domain registrar. This domain privacy will shield your data from view keeping your personal data safe from spammers or worse, identity thieves.

Domain WHOIS Privacy allows domain ID protection.

Image Source

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

Toll to Register a Domain Name

Co-ordinate to HostGator, domain proper name cost ranges from free to tens of thousands of dollars, with the average domain name settling around $ten-$12 annually. These factors volition bear upon what you'd pay for a specific domain:

  • The demand for the particular name y'all choose (e.g. cars.com sold for $872 one thousand thousand considering of how "valuable" that real estate was perceived to be)
  • The TLD domain extension (e.k. .com is perceived to be a more valuable TLD than less-used TLDs such as .info.)
  • The domain registrar you lot're purchasing from
  • Whether the domain has already been purchased past someone else (and at present has information technology for sale at a much higher price)
  • Whether you commit to an annual payment or another payment schedule
  • Add together-ons such as privacy

Whether you cull a free or paid domain volition depend on your upkeep and your website's purpose. For case, you might need a basic website or something simple and temporary. In that instance, a costless domain name might be a good option.

All the same, paid domain names await more than professional and are more than likely to abound with your brand. You should ultimately decide what will work all-time for your business organisation and goals.

How to Register a Domain Name for Free

Looking for a free domain proper noun? There are several domain registrars, website hosting providers, and website builders offering free 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.

Image Source

i. Wix

Wix is a popular drag-and-drop website builder that allows yous to register a free domain proper name with the stipulation that it includes Wix's name as well. This ways that although yous go your domain proper noun for gratuitous, information technology will read yourdomainname.wix.com. This is a trade-off to consider when registering a domain name for free.

Weebly, a website builder, offers domain name registration.

Image Source

2. Weebly

Like Wix, Weebly offers a simple website architect with a free domain proper noun that will appear every bit yourwebsite.weebly.com. You will accept limited admission to the site-building features, just you lot will salve annual fees for domain names. This is a great option for temporary or basic websites.

Bluehost allows domain name registration.

Image Source

3. Bluehost

Bluehost is a web hosting provider that will offer yous a free domain name for 1 yr with the buy of its web hosting plan. If you are in the market for both a domain proper name and a spider web hosting provider to go your business online, this tin assist you save money on the first year'southward expenses by calculation the domain proper noun on for free with a buy y'all were already planning to make.

WordPress offers domain name registration.

Epitome Source

iv. WordPress

WordPress will as well offer a gratuitous domain name, although it will appear as yourdomainname.wordpress.com. If you register your domain proper name hither, you lot can hands build your website with WordPress, too. WordPress is the most widely used content management organization, and so y'all'll find information technology easier to add functionality with plugins and go support when you need it.

GoDaddy offers free domain names.

Image Source

5. GoDaddy

Some other web hosting provider, GoDaddy offers complimentary domain names, so long as yous purchase one of its hosting plans. GoDaddy is loved for its low rates for hosting plans and its added security tools that scan for and remove malware and backup your website.

Build Your Concern By Registering Your Domain

Later weighing the benefits and drawbacks of free or paid domains, you should get started on your search for the perfect domain proper noun. Domain names can go chop-chop — and there'southward a piffling more competition than Symbolics had in 1985 — so it is important to register the ane yous want before it is too late.

Registering a domain proper noun is quick and easy, but it does take some time to brainstorm the right proper noun, select the optimal suffix, and detect the right domain registrar for you. As such, there's no better time than now to become started on registering your domain proper noun.

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

examples of brilliant homepage, blog, and landing page design

New Call-to-action

Originally published Dec 13, 2020 7:00:00 AM, updated March 31 2022