How To Get and Register a Domain Name | 5 Simple Steps

Anyone can buy a domain name, and a domain registrar is the best place to start looking. These are companies, such as Wix or GoDaddy, that can help you find, purchase, and manage your domain name.

There are a few things to keep in mind when choosing a domain name registrar:

• Domain availability
• Affordability
• Privacy protection (for example, Wix includes WHOIS privacy protection on every domain)
• Support
• Registrar reputation
• Is the registrar ICANN-accredited?

Now that you’ve selected your domain registrar, it’s time to search for a domain name. You don’t want to be changing your domain name after just a year, so make sure you’re set on your name to avoid any confusion.

Here are some general tips when searching for and selecting a domain name:

• Keep it snappy – your domain name should be easy to remember and spell
• Use your brand name or relevant keywords – this can help boost your site’s visibility and improve brand recognition
• Avoid using punctuation or numbers – hyphens or numbers can make things complicated

There are a few types of top-level domains, including gTLDs (classic domains, such as .com), country code TLDs (two-letter domains for countries, such as .uk), sponsored TLDs (restricted use domains for select groups, such as the US government), and new gTLDs (emerging niche extensions, such as .ai and .store).

The extension you choose will depend on your website needs, and whether or not you want to target a specific geographical location. To help explore your options, Wix provides a free domain name generator, so you can enter your domain idea and see which TLDs are available.

Now you have your name and suffix sorted, it’s time to buy your domain name. Domain names generally cost between $10 and $20 per year, but this can vary depending on which registrar and TLD you choose. Some registrars will even offer your first year for free or at a discounted rate.

Website builders, such as Wix, can also offer free domain names, known as subdomains. These are included as part of free plans, instead of having the option to add a custom domain name. So, while it’s free, it’s less memorable, features a builder’s branding, and you don’t own the subdomain yourself.

To purchase your domain name, you’ll be directed to a sign-up page to enter your account information, such as name, address, and email address, as well as payment details. Additional extras, such as privacy protection, will also be made clear at checkout, so you can pay for the features you want.

Lastly, you’ll need to make sure your domain name is assigned to you, but this is an easy process. Simply sign in to your domain registrar (a very simple process if your registrar is also your website builder or web host, such as Wix), and then enter any required details about yourself. Once these have been submitted, the domain name is yours!

To get your domain name, simply visit an ICANN-accredited domain name registrar, search and choose your domain name, purchase it, and verify ownership.

Creating your first website can seem like a daunting and technical process, but once you’ve chosen your domain name, you’re on the right track. From there, you can build your brand and grow your audience!