Let’s take a look at how to register a domain name at a major domain registrar. Domain registration is a simple process that involves a few simple steps. Although it is a simple process, it is important to proceed carefully and without rushing.

Whether you're publishing a blog, showcasing your portfolio online, or starting an online store, your domain is an integral part of your brand as it serves as the primary reference point for users to find your website.

You should avoid changing your domain name after your site launches. This can negatively affect your search engine rankings and make it harder for users to find your website. That’s why it’s important to consider your domain name carefully, choose one that has potential, and make sure it’s registered correctly.

How to register a domain in 5 steps

1. Choose a domain name

If you haven't decided on a brand name yet, it's a good idea to treat the domain selection process like the brand name process. Your domain name is inseparable from your brand, so if the two are similar, they will be more memorable to your customers.

If your company already has a name, your first choice domain will usually be YourBrand.com. However, if this domain is already taken, there are a few alternatives that will make it easier for users to associate your brand with your domain name:

• Use suffixes. Add words to the end of your domain name to differentiate it. For example, you can add your primary product name (YourBrand Shoes .com), your location (YourBrand Canada .com), or a generic word (YourBrand Online .com, YourBrand Store .com).
• Use prefixes. Add attention-grabbing action verbs to the beginning of your domain name to highlight your product ( Get YourBrand.com, Wear YourBrand.com, Eat YourBrand.com).
• Use a different domain name extension. A domain name extension, or top-level domain (TLD), is the suffix that appears at the end of a domain name. The most commonly used domain extension is .com, but there are also regional domain extensions (e.g. .ca, .us, .eu) and specialized domain extensions (e.g. .shop, .store). Keep in mind that specialized domain extensions are usually more expensive.

2. Check if the domain is available

When a user types a URL into their browser, the browser sends a request to a network of servers around the world to find the website using something called the Domain Name System (DNS).

DNS is a globally recognized distributed system that names websites. It allows computers, smartphones, and other devices that can access the Internet to find the webpages you are looking for.

Checking if a domain is available takes only a few seconds, and almost all registrars and hosting services have free domain name lookup tools to do this ( WHOIS , RDAP ).

Here are some tools to quickly check if a domain is available:

• Shopify
• Squarespace Domains (formerly Google Domains)
• GoDaddy
• IONOS
• Bluehost
• Domain.com
• Namecheap
• HostGator

Domain names are unique worldwide, so if a domain name is not available with one provider, it will not be available with another. The advantage of these tools is that if the domain you want is not available, they will often suggest other similar available domains.

If the domain name is in use, you may receive a message about a domain brokerage service. This means that the domain name is already registered, but the registrar offers a service to help you negotiate with the domain owner to purchase the domain.

Although securing your desired domain name may seem essential, attempting to broker a domain name carries some risks.

Brokerage fees are an additional cost to you, even if the current domain owner does not wish to sell the domain. This process can be time-consuming and can delay the launch of your store. Also, even if the current owner offers the domain, it is likely to be much more expensive than the domain you can purchase.

Depending on your circumstances and the capital you have available to invest, a domain brokerage may be the best option. However, if your budget is limited, there are a number of ways to lower your costs.

3. Choosing a domain name registrar

A registrar is a company that reserves and registers domain names on your behalf. When you purchase a domain name directly from a registrar or web hosting service, the domain is registered in the DNS.

There are over a thousand accredited registrars , but it’s best to choose the most trusted domain registrar. Using a common provider will make it easier to find domain management information and troubleshoot issues when you have trouble syncing your domain with other services.

Domains can be purchased from a number of different businesses. You can purchase them directly from a website building platform (e.g. Shopify, Squarespace, WordPress), a web hosting service (e.g. HostGator, Bluehost), or a domain registrar (e.g. GoDaddy, NameCheap).

Many registrars also offer hosting services, and conversely, hosting services may also offer domain registration. This is convenient because you can manage all your website operations in one place, but it is not necessary. You can purchase your domain from one company and use hosting from another company.

How much does it cost to buy a domain?

Domains are not sold at a fixed price. Instead, they are usually billed as an annual subscription. When considering the cost of a domain, it is important to keep in mind the difference between the starting price and the renewal price . A basic .com domain name typically costs between $11.99 and $20 per year. On the other hand, premium domains, such as four-letter domains or domains with very generic terms, can be much more expensive.

Domain providers often offer discounted prices for the first year or two, especially if you purchase the domain with another service. The starting price is usually lower than the renewal price, so when you are budgeting for the long term, you should also consider the cost of renewing the domain. In addition, the domain extension can affect the cost of the domain. Special domain extensions, such as .store, are usually more expensive than a regular .com domain.

While domain price is important, there are many other factors to consider. When looking for the right domain provider for you, ask yourself these questions:

• How easy is it to connect a domain to a website? Buying a domain from a web building platform usually has the advantage of being quick and easy to set up, since you are dealing directly with one company. Using services from different companies can involve additional steps and can be technical or confusing.
• Do you need domain privacy? When you register a domain, your contact information is published in the ICANN registry worldwide. Privacy features hide this information. Some providers (e.g. Shopify) offer privacy protection for free on all domains, but others offer this feature for an additional fee.
• What domain extension should I use? The domain extension is the last part of the domain. All domain providers offer .com domains, but if you are looking for a regional domain extension (e.g. .ca, .eu, .au) or a special domain (e.g. .shop, .store), you will need to choose a provider that offers those extensions.
• Do you need other services? Domain registrars usually offer additional services such as e-commerce hosting, website building features, and email hosting. Sometimes domains can be offered at a lower price that seems to be included with the purchase of other services.

To help you make your decision, we've put together a quick summary of the starting prices and WHOIS privacy costs for the major domain providers:

Shopify

• First year pricing: Starting at $15
• Renewal Price: $15 per year
• WHOIS Privacy Protection: Free

Squarespace Domains (formerly Google Domains)

• First year pricing: Starting at $12 (first year discount of $8 from base price of $20)
• Renewal price: $20 to $70 per year
• WHOIS Privacy Protection: Free

GoDaddy

• First year pricing: Starting at $20
• Renewal Price: $20 per year
• WHOIS Privacy Protection: Free

IONOS

• First year pricing: Starting at $1
• Renewal Price: $15 per year
• WHOIS Privacy Protection: Free

Bluehost

• First year pricing: Starting at $2.99
• Renewal Price: $19.99–$21.99 per year

• WHOIS Privacy Protection: $15 per year

Domain.com

• First year pricing: Starting at $5.99
• Renewal price: Same as first year price
• WHOIS Privacy Protection: $8.99 per year

Namecheap

• First year pricing: Starting at $6
• Renewal pricing: Starting at $9.50 per year
• WHOIS Privacy Protection: Free

HostGator

• First year pricing: Starting at $12.95
• Renewal Price: $18.99 per year
• WHOIS Privacy Protection: $14.95 per year

4. Domain Purchase and Registration

After you have decided on a domain registrar and a suitable domain name, you are ready to proceed with the domain purchase. Once you complete the purchase, the provider will reserve and register the domain on your behalf.

Register a domain name with Shopify

If you’re building an online store, the quickest and easiest way to do this is to purchase and register your domain directly through Shopify. Setup is automatic, and with a Shopify domain, you can edit your domain settings, set up subdomains, and create forwarding email addresses all from the same place you manage your ecommerce store.

To register a domain with Shopify, follow these steps:

1. From your Shopify admin, go to “ Settings ” and click “ Domains .”
2. Click “ Buy new domain ” and enter the domain name you want to purchase. An auto-generated list of available domains will appear as you type. Click the “ Buy ” button next to the domain you want to register.
3. If you haven't added a payment method, you'll be prompted to do so at this point. Once you've added a payment method, you'll be taken to a summary page where you can edit your personal information, choose whether to auto-renew your domain, and review ICANN policies and the domain registration agreement.
4. After you have reviewed the information, click “ Buy domain ”.
5. After you complete your purchase, a verification email will be sent to the email address associated with your Shopify store. Click the link in the email to verify your information and complete your domain registration.

Once you verify your domain, your registration will be complete. It may take up to 48 hours for your domain to become fully operational. Once your domain is set up, you can edit your domain settings, set up subdomains, and create email forwarding addresses in the Settings > Domains section of your Shopify admin page.

How to register a domain name with Squarespace:

Formerly known as Google Domains, Squarespace acquired this domain registration service from Google in 2023. If you purchase a domain from Squarespace Domains, you do not need to use any other Squarespace services. However, Squarespace Domains offers a variety of integrations, such as email forwarding with Google Workspace, so you have the option to take advantage of these features if you wish.

To register a domain with Squarespace, first go to the Squarespace Domains registration page.

1. Enter your desired domain name into the "Start your search here" bar to check the availability of the name.
2. Select the Add to Cart icon next to the domain you wish to purchase and register. If you wish to purchase additional domains, you may also select the Add to Cart icon next to those domains.
3. After adding all the selected domains, click the Checkout button.
4. On the next screen, you'll be prompted to create a Squarespace account. Create an account with the business email address you'll use to manage your domain.
5. Once your account is created, choose the registration period for your domain—from 1 to 10 years—then save and proceed to the next step.
6. After entering the contact information associated with your domain, save and continue.
7. Verify your billing address and enter your payment information (debit or credit card accepted).
8. After reviewing your domain decision and personal information, complete your purchase.

After receiving confirmation that your purchase was successful, your domain was reserved and registered by Squarespace Domains.

Register a domain name with GoDaddy

GoDaddy is one of the oldest and most well-known domain providers. GoDaddy allows you to integrate your domain with a variety of third-party services. To register a domain with GoDaddy, you must follow these steps:

1. Go to GoDaddy.com , enter your domain and click " Search Domain ."
2. If the domain is available, click the " Get it " button at the top of the page. Also, if there is a domain you would like to add from the suggested domains below, you can add it by clicking the shopping cart icon next to the domain.
3. After selecting the domain you wish to register, click " Continue to Cart ".
4. On the next page, you will be offered several services that GoDaddy offers in addition to domains. These services include email hosting and a website builder. If you are already using a website building service like Shopify or Squarespace, you may not want to choose this service.
5. If there are any services you would like to add, select them and click " Continue to Cart ".
6. The next page will list the services and fees you selected in detail. You can remove any items you want to delete by clicking the trash can icon. You can also choose your payment term. Domains are usually paid for annually, but GoDaddy allows you to choose up to 10 years for .com domains. After verifying that all information is correct, click the " I'm Ready to Pay " button.
7. Next, you will be prompted to create a GoDaddy account or log in to your existing account. At this step, you will need to enter your billing and payment information. After you enter your information, proceed to the " Complete Purchase " page.
8. Review the information and if everything is correct, click " Complete Purchase " to complete your purchase.

Once your purchase is complete, your domain will be successfully registered with GoDaddy.

Register a domain name with IONOS

Headquartered in Germany, Ionos is one of the oldest companies in the information technology industry, operating since 1988. Ionos also offers website hosting plans along with domain registration.

To register a domain with IONOS, go to the IONOS homepage :

1. Enter your domain name in the field above and select Check .
2. If the domain is available, click Add to Cart next to the domain. If you need additional suggested domains, you can also add them to your cart by clicking Add to Cart .
3. On the next page, IONOS offers a variety of services other than domains, such as email hosting and website building. If you do not want additional services, select Continue with Domain Only .
4. After reviewing the details on the Shopping Cart page, select Continue .
5. On the next page, you will be prompted to create an IONOS account or log in to your existing account. After you create an account or log in, click Continue to go to the payment page.
6. Enter your billing and payment information and click Continue .
7. After reviewing your order details, select Complete .

After you complete your order, your domain registration will be completed.

Register a domain name with NameCheap

Namecheap is another option for businesses looking to secure a domain. To register a domain with Namecheap, follow these steps:

1. Go to NameCheap .
2. In the search box on the homepage, type the desired domain name followed by .com, .net, .co, etc.
3. Namecheap will let you know if the domain is available. If the domain is available, click “ Add to Cart ” and complete the checkout process. If the domain is already taken, Namecheap will suggest a few additional domains for you to consider.
4. Like other domain registrars, Namecheap offers additional options for your domain, such as SSL, hosting, and VPN. You don’t have to choose any of the additional options unless you need a specific service.
5. Enter your billing information and complete the required prompts, and you're the domain owner!

Register a domain name with Domain.com

Domain.com is another option. To use it, follow these steps:

1. Go to Domain.com.
2. Enter the domain name you want. Domain.com will tell you if the domain is available for purchase.
3. Select the number of years you want to hold your domain name.
4. Choose whether to add Domain.com's privacy features, which keep your information confidential and make it harder for others to know that you own the domain.
5. Click Continue and decide whether you want to connect your domain to other services, such as Google Workspace.
6. Next, proceed to the payment step. Enter your payment information and click Purchase to complete your domain registration!

The process may vary slightly depending on the registrar you choose, but most follow a similar sequence. In other words, when choosing a registrar, it is a good idea to consider cost, brand reputation, customer support, etc.

5. Renew your domain name

When you buy a domain, you are typically buying the right to use it for one year. Some domain providers offer longer terms (for example, GoDaddy offers up to 10 years of use for .com domains). However, domain registration is not permanent.

To keep your registered domain, you must renew it at the end of your registration period. Most domain providers offer an automatic renewal option, so it is recommended that you select this option when purchasing.

If your payment information changes, you will need to update your settings with your domain provider to ensure automatic renewal fees are charged correctly.

Most domain providers will tell you when to renew, whether or not you have automatic renewal set up. However, it is important to renew your domain. If you don't renew your domain, your website will no longer be available and someone else may buy it. If you don't want to lose your domain, be sure to renew it.