[dropcap]E[/dropcap]very website needs a catchy address. And to get one, you need to know how to buy a domain name. Luckily, domain registration has become quite a simple procedure nowadays. It’s also one of the first steps you need to take when you start a blog or create a website.
Check for trademark infringement. To avoid any legal issues, it’s best not to register a domain similar to popular, well-established brands. You can use various online tools to look up trademark information and avoid such situations.
Before you purchase a domain name, consider doing some proper investigation..
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The short steps to buy a domain name are:
After all, the name of your website is one of the first things that visitors will see!
- Choose a reliable domain registrar (like Hostinger)
- Find a domain availability checker tool
- Run a domain name search
- Pick the best available option
- Finalize your order and complete the domain registration
- Verify the ownership of your new domain
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9 Best Tips Before Buying Domain Names!
- Do your research. It’s important to study your niche and to know what the user wants. Being aware of the most popular keywords and search terms will help you find a domain name that’s best suited to represent your project.
- Make it catchy and easy to remember. Don’t go for something that is absurdly long or difficult to pronounce. A catchy and short domain name will greatly increase the chances of visitors remembering your website name.
- Go with .com if possible. Currently, .com is taking a stand as the most popular domain name extension. Thus, it’s a good priority when buying a domain name, as most web users will easily recognize it.
- Check for trademark infringement. To avoid any legal issues, it’s best not to register a domain similar to popular, well-established brands. You can use various online tools to look up trademark information and avoid such situations.
- Avoid numbers and hyphens. While numbers and hyphens let you create more domain name variations, they can sometimes do more harm than good. For example, people can mistake the number zero (0) with the letter (o) or the number (2) for a word (two). Therefore omitting numbers and hyphens may be a good idea.
- Look for close alternatives. If you already have a domain name in mind, think of possible mistyped variations to make sure all the potential traffic reaches you. A great example would be amzon.com which takes you to the main Amazon website, or fb.com which goes directly to Facebook.
- Research social media platforms. Once you have a rough draft of your domain name, look it up on popular social media platforms like Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook. Even if you’re not planning to do anything with them at the start, reserving a page for your project will ensure it’s not taken by someone else.
- Think future-proof. Websites and domains are a long-term investment. Hence revolving the name around the most overhyped thing at this very moment might not be the best approach in the long run. So don’t be afraid to think outside the box.
- Discuss your ideas. If you feel like picking the right name for your website is the hardest choice of your life, perhaps you need some help. Present your ideas to friends, family, colleagues. Who knows, they might give you that golden nugget of advice that you’re looking for.
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How to Buy a Domain Name (In 5 Steps)
Now that you know how to pick a proper domain name, you might be wondering how to purchase one.
To get a domain name for your website, you’ll need an ICANN accredited registrar (such as Hostinger). Depending on your chosen domain extension, the registration fee can range between $0.99 to $92.99.
Below are 5 steps that cover the domain registration process in more depth.
Step 1 – Find a Domain Checker
The journey of buying a domain name starts with an availability lookup. In fact, we have the perfect tool to check domain vacancy here on Hostinger.
FAQ: What if my desired domain name is taken?
If the domain you wish to buy is taken, there are a few different approaches available:
- Go for another domain extension. In case .com is unavailable, you may opt for others such as .xyz, .net, .org, and many more.
- Try a longer version. Adding a simple word such as “the”, “my”, “a” and other similar words can help get the result you want.
- Reach out to the current owner. However, in most cases, you will need to offer a fairly high sum of money.
Step 2 – Run a Domain Name Search
Now enter your desired name in the search field and take it for a spin. The domain checker tool will present you with a list of available options that you can register. Use the Domain extension filter to search for the exact extension that you’re interested in.
Step 3 – Pick Your Domain
Once you locate a name that you like, proceed with the registration by pressing Add to Cart.
If you’re not planning to look for more variations, proceed with the checkout and you’ll be able to choose a payment processor and complete your transaction.
Step 4 – Complete the Domain Registration
As soon as you complete the domain payment, you’ll be redirected to the control panel. Inside, you’ll find the setup box to complete your domain name registration.
Make sure to fill in all the fields with the correct details, as they will be stored in the official domain ownership database called WHOIS.
After you submit your details, the domain registration will be processed and you’ll only need to follow one last step.
FAQ: Can I modify the domain ownership details?
Yes, you’ll be able to do it using the domain management section within your control panel. Once the changes are made, you will have to confirm them via email. Keep in mind that it may take 24-72 hours for most WHOIS databases to display the updated details.
Step 5 – Verify the Ownership of Your New Domain
The final step of your journey is to verify the domain ownership through the email address you used while registering. It usually arrives within a few minutes after finishing the domain setup.
In the case it doesn’t arrive, you can re-send the request from your control panel. We recommend doing it immediately, as waiting for 15 days or more will lead to a temporary suspension from the registry.
