Today, you can buy a domain name practically anywhere on the Internet. From dedicated domain name registrars to web hosting companies – they’re available all over the place.
Yet not all places are the same. In this article, we will explore some of the best sites to search and register your next domain.
1. NameCheap
Founded more than two decades ago, NameCheap is one of the bigger names in the industry and is an ICANN-accredited domain name registrar. It has a potent combination of affordable domain name pricing, great customer support, and a huge selection of top-level-domains (.com, .net, .uk, etc.).
Why Choose NameCheap Domain?
One of the best parts of buying form NameCheap is that they offer WhoIs Privacy Protection for free and often have domain names on sale, with prices dropping to as low as $0.50 on occasion. Do remember though, that domain name discounts are often only on the first year of registration, so pay attention to renewal rates!
NameCheap also sells value-added services for domain names such as email-only hosting at $10.88 per year, guaranteed uptime with their PremiumDNS system at $4.88 per year, and the option for SSL certificates which starts at $11 per year.
NameCheap Domain Prices
TLDs | Registration | Renewal |
---|---|---|
.com | $5.98 | $13.98 |
.net | $10.98 | $14.98 |
.org | $7.48 | $14.98 |
.ai | $69.98 | $79.98 |
.biz | $5.48 | $18.98 |
.co | $9.48 | $28.98 |
.online | $0.98 | $21.98 |
.xyz | $2.00 | $13.98 |
.uk | $6.98 | $9.48 |
.io | $39.98 | $44.98 |
Note: Listed pricing is on annual basis. Domain Privacy Protection is free for life when you register your domain with NameCheap.
2. Hostinger
Hostinger is not well-known as a domain registrar. However, they have very decently priced packages, some of which include a free domain name.
Why Choose Hostinger Domain?
Hostinger Premium and Business shared web hosting plans (which cost only $2.79 and $3.99 respectively per month) both come with a free domain name registration. If you are buying domain only, .online, .icu, .tech, and .store are sold at $0.99/year.
Hostinger Domain Prices
TLDs | Registration | Renewal |
---|---|---|
.com | $9.99 | $13.99 |
.net | $12.99 | $13.99 |
.org | $7.99 | $15.99 |
.ai | $99.99 | $159.99 |
.biz | $15.99 | $16.99 |
.co | $23.99 | $30.99 |
.online | $0.99 | $34.99 |
.xyz | $1.99 | $13.99 |
.uk | $7.99 | $10.99 |
.io | $39.99 | $49.99 |
Note: Listed pricing is on annual basis. Free Domain Privacy Protection is included.
3. GoDaddy
GoDaddy is probably one of the singular most recognizable domain name registrars in the world. It is what I consider a full-service web company since they are a one-stop-shop for anything you need to start up your own website, from domain name to hosting.
Why Choose GoDaddy Domain?
Prices on GoDaddy are more or less standard but they have a service that lets you buy some special domain names via auction. You can find some great domain names here that are already registered but whose owners are willing to let go of – for a price. Other features that they provide are WHOIS privacy, SSL certificates and of course, web hosting.
GoDaddy Domain Prices
TLDs | Registration | Renewal |
---|---|---|
.com | $0.01 | $19.99 |
.net | $14.99 | $22.99 |
.org | $20.99 | $20.99 |
.ai | $125.00 | $125.00 |
.biz | $9.99 | $26.99 |
.co | $0.01 | $37.99 |
.online | $49.99 | $49.99 |
.xyz | $0.01 | $17.99 |
.uk | $11.99 | $11.99 |
.io | $44.99 | $62.99 |
Note: Listed pricing is on annual basis. Note that GoDaddy charges an additional $9.99 per year for Full Domain Protection.
4. Hover
Hover is a domain registrar offering user-friendly domain management, various domain extensions, email hosting, and WHOIS privacy. It is praised for transparent pricing, no upselling, and excellent customer support.
Why Choose Hover?
Hover focuses purely on being a domain registrar site and you can get a domain here for as low as $5 per year. Their pricing system is extremely transparent and the cost of renewals and other facilities like transfers are indicated on the same page. There are discounts available if you’re purchasing in bulk (more than 10 domain names) at once. You can get your standard TLDs here such as .com or even some of the nTLDs like .io.
As mentioned, Hover doesn’t offer web hosting so you will need to know how to point your DNS to the right servers if you buy from them. One advantage is that they do include free WHOIS privacy protection with all their domain names.
Being a specialist in domain names also has its advantages as they have great add-on services like email forwarding to your domain name or even allowing the creation of a domain inbox for $20 per year.
Hover Domain Prices
TLDs | Registration | Renewal |
---|---|---|
.com | $14.99 | $16.99 |
.net | $15.49 | $17.49 |
.org | $13.99 | $15.99 |
.ai | – | – |
.biz | $18.99 | $18.99 |
.co | $27.99 | $27.99 |
.online | $4.99 | $34.99 |
.xyz | $11.99 | $14.99 |
.uk | $10.99 | $10.99 |
.io | $34.99 | $49.99 |
Note: Listed pricing is on annual basis; Domain Privacy Protection is included for certain Top Level Domains (TLDs).
5. Gandi
Not to be mistaken with the similarly-named Indian activist, Gandi is one of the longest-existing domain name registrars in the industry. Their forte has been a fuss-free domain name registration experience and tends not to distract customers too much by overwhelming them with options and offers.
Why Choose Gandi?
Gandi also has one of the biggest selections of domain name extensions available with more than 800 to choose from. Anything from .abogado to .zine is up for grabs here. They also have a list of top-level-domains options that gets updated regularly, along with articles that discuss new TLDs that will be upcoming.
Prices can be affordable depending on domain name extension with some going for as little as $2.99 per year. With the domain names you get free WHOIS privacy protection and email obfuscation (when available) for free and two email boxes with up to 10,000 aliases included.
Gandi Domain Prices
TLDs | Registration | Renewal |
---|---|---|
.com | $17.75 | $17.75 |
.net | $18.50 | $18.96 |
.org | $9.99 | $17.96 |
.ai | $192.10 (2 years) | $192.10 (2 years) |
.biz | $24.09 | $26.50 |
.co | $33.93 | $38.07 |
.online | $3.00 | $30.46 |
.xyz | $3.00 | $17.75 |
.uk | $9.88 | $9.88 |
.io | $39.00 | $55.00 |
How to Choose the Right Domain Name Registrar?
To register a domain name, you need to go to a domain name registrar. A Domain Registrar is the middle man in the domain registration process. It usually offers a variety of related services, including domain renewal, domain ownership transfer, and domain privacy protection.
In layman’s term, a domain name registrar is the site where we search and register a domain name. When we said “buy a domain” – what we actually meant is registering a domain name with the a registrar.
Good domain name registrars often share similar qualities that give them the edge over the competition. Ideally, you want to find a registrar which is ICANN accredited, has transparent pricing and renewal fees, offers good customer support and most importantly, has a system that lets you manage your domain name easily.
Below are the four key factors to look into when choosing a domain registrar.
1. ICANN Accreditation
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, or ICANN, is the key non-profit body which monitors and regulates the entire domain name industry. Always ensure that wherever you are planning to buy a domain name from is ICANN accredited.
These registrars must follow ICANN regulations and there are guidelines issued which ensure that those who sign up via accredited registrars are safeguarded. Not all companies which sell domain names are ICANN accredited.
2. Pricing and Renewal
I consider domain names as services rather than goods, because you must pay renewal fees in order to keep the domain name. Because of this, it is important to ensure that the registrar you are buying the domain name from has a transparent pricing and renewal structure.
Like regular consumer goods, domain names often go on sale and some registrars may offer dirt-cheap deals on domain names. Note that these sales are often only applicable to new domain name registrations and only for the length of time you buy them for. Renewals will be at regular rates.
Always keep an eye on both the purchase price as well as renewal price of any domain name you’re buying. Different registrars also have different pricing, so do shop around before you make your decision to buy.
3. Customer Support
Good customer support is a must for any company, and this applies to domain name registrars as well. Before ordering any products from the registrar, try to get in touch with their support staff to see how responsive and helpful they are. Companies which respond quickly are more likely to have a better support system in place to deal with any issues which might arise.
4. Domain Name Management
Aside from letting you buy and renew domain names registrars have to provide you with a system that allows you to manage your domain name. This includes setting the DNS for the domain name or other functions such as transferring to another registrar.
Some registrars have terrible systems and it can be difficult to use to handle your account. I recommend you sign up for an account with a registrar you are interested in to explore their system a little before you make a purchase. I once signed up with a registrar that had such a terrible system in place it was practically unusable.
Final Thought
A Good Domain Worth More Than You Think
No matter if you’re an individual looking to establish a small blog or a small business seeking to expand digitally, the domain name is much more than just a cheap name tag. Essentially, it represents you in the digital world and has all the implications that follow.
It needs to be built and nurtured, just as you would your own reputation in the real world. Choose, buy and protect your domain name carefully.