Trying to know ‘How to register a domain name? Thanks! In order to register a new domain name, first of all, you have to conduct a search on the desired word that you like to register in order to check whether it is available for registration or not. But before it, you have to take a decision as to which kind of business you want to start. Because the domain name is the most important part of your site address. When visitors visit your site, they, first of all, look at your site title aka domain name. If the domain name somewhat relates to your business, it will be a good choice for you. In other term, in such kind of case, looking at your site title, they can guess what types of service it offers.
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Why to Register a Domain Name?
As usual, a simple question may appear in your mind about why I should register a domain name. To register a domain name is a must-to-do if you intend to host a website. Because when you are going to create a site, you need two things—(1)a domain name and (2) a WebHost. A domain name is the most important part of a website. To speak in a more definitive way, a Domain name is a part of a website that remains in between double slush(//) or www and post title. It consists of a second-level domain and a TLD. Suppose you have a site like www.example.com. When you create it through a web hosting provider and a site builder, you give a title to your website. Here, your site title is your second-level domain and the last part of the site address such as .com is a TLD. The domain name represents both the second level domain and the TLD.
You cannot own and use a custom domain name unless you register it. When you register a domain, it becomes your own property. Every day thousands of domains are registered at domain registrars who are accredited by ICANN. Once a domain is registered, its registered data go to the Whois database that you can see if needed. However, not the sensitive data you can see if you are not the actual registrant of a domain, rather as a third party, you can see some non-sensitive data like creation date, update date, expiry, registrar, registrar’s country, name servers, etc.
Aside from these restrictions and privileges, when a webmaster goes to register a domain, he does his work properly. He checks the domain names, avoids the registered domains, and registers only the available domains which are not been registered before. That said, it helps the whois database store data on registered domains and helps the registrants to register only the available and non-registered domains. So, if you don’t know how to register a domain name, then follow this article till the end and you can learn what you need to do.
Also, the second prerequisite that you need to have for making a new website is to purchase web hosting. A Webhosting provider gives you an IP address to which you should map your domain. A matter of fact is that your WordPress site is installed on the webserver to which you host your site. Now, in order to connect your site to the IP address provided by the hosting server’s DNS, you need a registered domain. Because the IP address provided by the DNS Manager of the hosting server should be connected with the domain. If you do have not a registered domain, your website will not be provided IP addresses.
That’s why if your web hosting and domain stay at two different companies, you have to point your domain to the name servers provided by the hosting server. Also, you have to verify domain ownership. So, we can say that domain registration is a must in order to use it to build a website and create a custom email based on a domain.
How to Choose a Domain Name?
Want to register a domain name? Do you know what you should do before registering a domain name? Before registering a domain, you have to find out an exact match keyword that relates to your business or service. The domain name being an essential part of your website, you have to take into consideration a number of factors while you are going to choose it. So, a good domain name should contain the following features:
- It should be short, and easy to type and remember. If it becomes too long, it may be hard to remember and takes more time to type on the browser’s tab or search field in the search engine. Generally, it is better if it consists of less equal to or less than fifteen characters. So, try to choose a domain name that is short, meaningful, and easy to spell.
- If possible, use the keyword-based domain. If you use such kind of domain, it will boost your site’s ranking because of its appearance and popularity in search results. From this aspect, a keyword-based domain increases your site’s performance in SEO.
- Do not include a hyphen or number in your domain name. Using such kind characters very often leads to typos.
Do you like to know more about selecting a domain? Take care as you are going to know how to register a domain name. You can read our article on how to choose the best domain name.
Search for a domain name to Check its Availability
Now, you have to find out the desired word that you like to register as a domain name. In order to check its availability, you can use domain name generator tools like Nameboy or domainwheel. Such kind of tool gives a lot of domains with the same word having suffix, prefix, and alternative TLDs. So, go to one of the domain name suggestion tools, put your desired word in the search field, run a search, and pick a domain name that you like most.
While you choose a domain, add the best TLD. I recommend to take .com, .org or .net. Your first priority will be .com, if it is not available for registration, you can pick up .org or .net. If you don’t like these domain suffixes, you can choose other TLDs that match your business.
Once you have chosen a domain name, the next step is to choose a good domain registrar in order to register your domain properly.
Choose a Domain Registrar Providing Good Service
Now, choose one of the best domain registrars that provide good customer services to its users. A good domain registrar provides you active customer support, domain privacy or WhoisGuard, domain renewal at a regular price, strong security like two-factor authentication(2FA), etc. There are many domain registrars out there like Namecheap, Domain.com, Godaddy, etc.
Select the Domain Name
Now, go to any one of the domain registrars and locate the domain search field which is located on the domain search page. However, in most cases, it is located on the homepage of every domain registrar. It may look like this.
Now, put the domain name in the search field and click on the search icon located on the right side. Once you clicked on it, it will display the domain names available for registration.
Click on ‘Add’ located in front of your chosen domain in the same line. Once you clicked on it, it will take you to the next page that may look like something as follows.
Select Domain Privacy or WhoisGuard
Now, select Domain Privacy or WhoisGuard. When you register a domain with a domain registrar, you have to provide your address including your contact number and email. Once registration is completed, the submitted data are stored in the Whois database that anyone can access as per the ICANN rule. Enabling WhoisGuard protects your sensitive information like contact address, username, email, etc, and instead provides only the non-sensitive data like registration date, expiry, registrar company, etc.
If you don’t enable WhoisGuard, you may be flooded with the unwanted call, junk email and even the third-party companies may sell your data for commercial purposes. That’s why check the button provided for Domain Privacy aka WhoisGuard for enhanced security.
Select Other Add-ons if Needed
In the next step, you can choose other addons if you like such as custom email, premium DNS, etc. However, you can skip these or choose later on if needed.
Fill Out the Form to create Your Account and Pay the Charges
Now, click on the button labeled ‘Checkout’, and in no time, it will take you to the next page. It may look like something like this. This is a form that you have to fill out properly in order to communicate with the domain registration provider. Write your name, email address, and communication address including state, city, postal address, etc. Choose a strong password for your account. When the form is filled out properly, click on the button that contains the service agreement or terms and conditions located at the end of the page.
So far, you have filled out the form. So click on the ‘ Create Account button. It will take you to the payment settings page. You have to set up your payment options like Paypal, credit card, etc. When this option is set properly, go ahead and pay the charge to register the selected domain properly. Once the payment process succeeded, you will receive a message of confirmation.
Also, they will give you a link to verify your email if it is not verified before.
On the other hand, if you had an account with the domain registrar, then no need to create a new account. You can use that account to register your domain name.
Can I Purchase a Premium Domain or Registered Domain Held by Others?
Yes, you can purchase a premium domain or registered domain held by others. As usual, every day thousands of domains are registered with domain registrars accredited by ICANN. All the registrants don’t register domains for web hosting, some registrants do this for hosting sites for business purposes and others do this for selling. There are many domain sellers in the market like Sedo, Godaddy, etc.
Should I Renew a Domain Name before expiry?
Yes, you should renew your registered domain name before it gets expired. Generally, while you register a domain, you should configure the renewal as automatic or manual. Setting it as automatic is recommended and if you do that your domain will be renewed automatically before expiry. Also, you can renew it manually some days before its expiry. Another important setting you should care about in your domain is setting up notification. Setting this gives you an email notification before your domain gets expired.
What Happens if My Domain Gets Expired?
Usually, once your domain gets expired, you can’t access your site, as it becomes inactive. Visitors too will not be able to access your site if it is connected to a live site. Besides, after a grace period, it is available for sale in the market if you don’t renew it. Some companies give a grace period of 12 to 15 days while others may give a maximum of 30 days.
Is it Necessary to Host a Site if I Want to Register a Domain Name?
No, you can register a domain with any domain registrar accredited by ICANN. Once you register a domain, it becomes your own property for that period. Within that period, you can transfer it, list it for sale with domain brokers or use it to host a site. Domain registration and web hosting are not the same things, however, if you want to host a site, then you need to have a registered domain or register a new custom domain.
Can I Register a Domain forever?
No, as per ICANN’s rule you can’t register a domain forever. However, if needed, you can register a domain for a maximum period of ten years for a minimum period of one year. Once it reaches the end of the registration period, you should renew it again.
Can I Sell a Domain Name?
Yes, you can sell your domain. once you register a domain, it becomes your property. You can sell it directly to any buyer or through domain sellers or domain brokers. There are many domain broker services like Afternic, Godaddy, etc. When you sell a domain through a domain broker, the company takes a certain percent of the selling price and you get the rest.
Can I Register a Domain with one Registrar and Host a Website on Another Web Hosting Provider?
Yes, you can register a domain with one domain registrar and host a website on a different web hosting provider. Here, the domain registrar and web hosting provider are separate. So, in such kind of case, you have to update nameservers, namely, you need to point your domain to your web hosting provider’s nameservers in order to connect your site with the domain name. Once you point your domain to your web hosting provider’s nameservers, your domain gets connected with the DNS Records provided to your domain section in the DNS Zone. When your domain is properly pointed and updated to the nameservers, your site becomes connected to it and it becomes accessible.
On the other hand, if you register a domain and host a website on the same company or web hosting service, you don’t need to update nameservers. Everything gets right automatically. There are many web hosting service providers in the market out there and Bluehost is a top-notch web hosting provider recommended by WordPress itself. You can choose it. It gives you a free domain and a free SSL Certificate.
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