How to Buy a Website Domain in 3 Steps

When you are going to start a website or online business, you will need to have a domain name for your website. This includes choosing a domain registrar, figuring out the best URL, and choosing the right extension for your needs. Fortunately, it’s not a complicated process and it’s something that can be done by just about anyone. In this guide, we’ll talk about domain registration, how to buy a website, and how to get started on building your site for success. 

What’s in a domain name?

Every single website on the Internet has a domain name and an IP address. The IP address is difficult to remember, which is why the Domain Name System (DNS) was created. This was designed to attribute URL names to IP addresses so that people aren’t forced to remember obscure strings of numbers. 

For example, a site’s IP address might look something like: 312.54.61.190. Who’s going to remember that? It’s like trying to count the library filing system but without physical “books” or files to look at. However, if that site is registered to “https://www.website.co” that will be much easier to remember for users. It’s also much easier to index and makes online navigation simple. And, having a worded URL can improve organic SEO. 

In order to choose the best domain, you need to follow three simple steps. 

Step one: Do your homework 

This is the most important step in the process. There are literally thousands, if not millions, of different websites out there today. That means that people have already registered tons of domains in every industry. It also means that you may have a more difficult time getting the domain that you want. If you research ahead of time and use that insight to brainstorm ideas for a good URL, you won’t have to worry about your choice. 

Feel free to investigate the URL that you choose at various extensions. Make sure no one else has registered the same URL with a different extension (.com instead of .co, for example). If they have, consider revising your URL so that it’s unique and speaks only to your business. Taking the time to research and plan ahead can ensure that your website domain purchase is smooth and simple. 

Step two: Choose a reputable domain registrar

Now that you have a better idea of what you want and what you can get, it’s time to look at the different domain registrars that are available. There are dozens of sites selling domain names and registrations these days, but they are not all created equally. It’s usually recommended that people try to work with one of the top five domain registrars out there:

1. GoDaddy
2. Bluehost
3. Hover
4. HostGator
5. NameCheap

These sites are all reputable and they offer things like 24/7 support, giving you the peace of mind that your site will always be up and running. And, if it’s not, you can get the help that you need right away. 

There are different features and options from each of these registrars. They will also have their own pricing for domains. Take the time to compare the options, including multi-year registration costs, because that can boost your credibility as an online business in the eyes of the search engines. 

Check things like uptime, customer satisfaction, reviews, any potential complaints or issues people have had, and so forth. Ultimately, you want to make sure that you are getting a reputable source to host your website so that you don’t have to worry about a thing. 

Step three: Decide on the registration details 

Now that you have a domain registrar and an idea of what you want, it’s time to fill in all the details. Choose and finalize your URL and extension, then consider how long you want to purchase a registration for. This is also where you will be able to consider investing in additional services, like hosting solutions.

You don’t have to get your domain purchase and hosting from the same place, but if you can, it might save some time and hassle on your part. Check out the best domain registrars listed above and see what kind of hosting solutions they offer. After all, buying a URL is only the first part of the process. 

Tips and insights for buying a website domain

The three steps above should make the process painless for those seeking a reputable website domain. In order to make sure that you get what you deserve, keep the following tips in mind:

• Check the competition and make sure that you know what other companies are doing. Consider their URLs, the existing websites that you need to compete with, and so forth. This will all help you create a better strategy. 
• Choose a URL that’s easy to remember and type. 
• Avoid slang, pop culture references, and other things that might not make sense to the average user. 
• Always go shorter when you can. 
• Check out social media handles and listings so that you can correlate your website properly. 
• Consider other options besides “.com”—today you can choose from just about any extension you desire, take advantage of that. 
• Avoid trademarks and make sure that you protect your own brand when choosing and registering a website domain. 
• Watch out for hidden fees and costs as some domain registrars aren’t as reputable and might try to get you with different added charges that are unnecessary. When you work with reputable companies, that’s not usually a problem, though. 

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With a new website comes new leads—are you ready?

Partner with the virtual receptionists at Smith.ai to field all those incoming leads and you’ll get a 24/7 answering service to ensure you never miss a thing. Plus, you’ll also have a dedicated team to handle lead intake, appointment scheduling, and even the outreach campaigns that you’re working on to get the leads in the first place. 

Plus, it all comes with a customized, scalable plan to manage all the details. To learn more, schedule a consultation to discuss what the virtual receptionists at Smith.ai can do for your business, or reach out to us at hello@smith.ai. 

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