How to Buy a Domain Name: Process of 6 Web Domain Providers Explained

July 30, 2024
|
14 Minutes
Modified on:
July 29, 2024
|
Written by:
Swati Bucha
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How to Buy a Domain Name: Process of 6 Web Domain Providers Explained

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The first thing you need before starting a blog or online business is a domain name. A custom domain name that matches your website’s name is proven to increase your credibility and compels the consumers to trust your business. Moreover, a domain name also helps you create a uniform brand identity through all your communication channels and company resources, including email, social media, and website. Therefore, it serves as a powerful branding tool. 

Fortunately, the process of how to buy a domain name is much simpler than you would expect. In this comprehensive guide, we will help you pick the best 6 domain providers and explore how to buy a website and email domain without any complications. Are you looking to learn more about this process? Then continue reading this blog!

Understanding a Website Domain

A domain is a unique string of text that aligns with an alphanumeric IP address related to your website and email. It is like your virtual address and helps you access a specific website from any kind of client software. For instance, google.com is the domain name for Google, while wikipedia.org is for Wikipedia. It is made of two parts, the name and the extension, such as .com, .biz, .in, and so on. 

In a similar fashion, you can purchase a domain name for your business (e.g., yourbusiness.com) and use it to create your website. Furthermore, you can look for a website and email hosting services for an integrated branding solution. 

Who Purchases a Web Domain Name?

Anyone can purchase a web domain. Whether you want to create a website to track and share your hobby, own a small business, have a large organization, or want to build a portfolio, learning how to buy a website domain can be beneficial to all. Here are some examples for whom a web domain name can be useful:

  • Budding entrepreneurs
  • Creative professionals
  • Brands building their online visibility
  • Business email seekers
  • Nonprofit organizations
  • Students
  • Members of communities or clubs
  • People with personal blogs and other hobbies

Why is a Website Domain Name Important?

A custom domain name for your official website increases your branding and marketing value. Besides that, its additional benefits include: 

  • You can create a unique online identity for your brand that helps customers remember and recognize your business.  
  • An official domain name reflects your professionalism and credibility, which inspires consumer trust.
  • It helps you establish consistent branding across all the online platforms, ensuring your consumers can recognize you swiftly. 
  • You can create a uniform communication platform for your team interaction, collaborations, operations, and management.
  • Search engine optimization becomes easier with targeted keywords in the same domain.

Buying a Domain Name from the Top 6 Web Domain Providers

Now that we know how a domain name forms a crucial part of your business enhancement strategies let’s understand how to buy a web domain. Here is our curated list of the top 6 web domain providers and their associated processes for buying the domain name. Take a look at the subsequent steps to understand how to buy a website domain from these providers. 

1. Neo

Neo enables you to create a business email and use additional services, such as email marketing, a free one-page website, and a secure email hosting infrastructure. It is also a user-friendly platform with an easy-to-use control panel. However, its most attractive feature is the .co.site web domain, which is free for a year. Follow these steps to learn how to buy a web domain with Neo. 

Step 1: Access the Website

  • Visit Neo's official website and click on Get Started. 

Step 2: Review The Plans

  • Check out Neo’s domain pricing plans and select the pricing option of your choice. 

Step 3: Choose a new website domain. 

  • Choose ‘I need a new domain name’ to purchase a domain. 

Step 5: Search for Domain 

  • Search for the .co.site web domain that you wish to get by clicking on the ‘Search' button. 
  • Neo offers a free .co.site extension for your website, which allows you to set up your desired domain name. It is free for 1 year, after which you must pay an annual fee for its renewal. 

Step 5: Account Creation

  • Create your Neo customer account to proceed with buying your desired domain. 

Step 6: Set up Your Account

  • Configure the mailbox for your business and complete your purchase. 

You will receive the mailbox at no cost. Along with the domain, you will also receive a free one-page website. Pay the required amount to start your domain-based website and enhance your online presence. 

2. GoDaddy

GoDaddy is an acclaimed domain registrar providing web hosting and email services. The platform helps you lock down your preferred web domain name and store it online with free security privacy protection for a lifetime. Check out the following steps to learn how to buy a domain name from GoDaddy.

Step 1: Navigate to the Website

  • Visit the official website of GoDaddy.com and look for the search bar where you can type the domain name to get started with the homepage. 

Step 2: Type the desired domain name that you want for your business. 

Step 3: Check Domain Availability

  • Hit the search button to check if the domain name of your choice is available for use.
  • You will be redirected to the ‘Buy Now’ button if the domain name is still unregistered. Clicking on it will add the domain name to your cart. 
  • Alternatively, GoDaddy will offer other alternative domain names that are very close to the specific name or other extensions if the specific domain name is not available. 

Step 3: Explore Alternatives

  • You can search for other alternatives by repeating the process or selecting an available name suggested by GoDaddy that is closely related to your desired domain name. 

Step 4. Purchase the domain name and set it up. 

3. NameCheap

NameCheap is another platform that offers domain registration and hosting services. Its simple installation process and intuitive interface make it perfect for anyone who wants to design their websites. Moreover, it also offers email hosting services with its custom domain for an integrated experience. Here are the steps you need to know about how to buy a website domain name with Namecheap:

Step 1: Sign Up

  • Open Namecheap's official website and sign into your account using your username and password. The sign-up link is at the top of the page in the header section.
  • If you don’t already have an account, you can sign in.

Step 2: Access Domain Option

  • Place your cursor over the ‘Domains’ link at the top of the page. Click on ‘Marketplace’ from the drop-down menu. 

Step 3: Choose the Domain

  • Visit the ‘Buy Now’ page and type your desired domain in the search bar. Then, click on ‘Add To Cart.’
  • In case you don’t find your desired name, choosing Namecheap will help you choose a similar name. 

Step 4: Purchase the Domain

  • Click the ‘Checkout’ button to go to the payment section after choosing your desired premium web domain. 
  • Pay for your domain and create your website. 

4. Hostinger

Hostinger is famous for its website, WordPress hosting, and domain registration services, which are available at affordable prices with strong service support. Several businesses already rely on Hostinger to maintain the optimality of their web domain services, as well as simplified email setup and website builder tools. Here are the steps you need to follow to buy a domain name from this platform. 

Step 1. Navigate to Hostinger

  • Visit the domain option on Hostinger’s official website
  • This tool allows you to check the availability of your web domain name. Type the name you are interested in and click on ‘Search.’

Step 2: Purchase Available Name

  • If your desired domain name is available, add it to the cart and purchase it from Hostinger immediately.

Step 3: Choose the TLD

  • Hostinger offers you multiple TLDs to promote brand image and visibility. 
  • Click the domain names that you may want to buy and add them to your shopping cart. 
  • You can also choose the renewal term for your plan in this section. 

Step 4: Find Alternatives

  • If the specific domain name is already owned, you may decide to choose a different TLD or search for other domain names. 
  • Check out your cart and purchase the domain name. 

5. Bluehost

Bluehost is one of the best platforms on which to purchase your web domain and a website or WordPress hosting plan. The platform also offers its webmail service to streamline your operations. Moreover, with some of its hosting plans, you can use a domain without cost for a year. The following steps will help you learn how to buy a web domain from Bluehost. 

Step 1: Access The Website

  • Go to the official website of the BlueHost and navigate to the domain option.

Step 2. Search The Domain

  • Enter the name of your desired domain name and click on the Search button. 
  • You can choose a different domain extension if you don’t want a .com web domain name. 

Step 3: Purchase The Domain

  • If you find the domain name you want, you can add it to the cart and purchase it. 
  • You can choose any alternative domain names if your main preference is unavailable. 
  • Once your domain name is added to your cart, purchase the domain and set up your website. 

6. Hostgator 

Hostgator is another prominent web domain provider that offers you efficient hosting services. You can take advantage of the website, VPS, and reseller hosting plans along with affordable domain registration plans. The steps for the same include:

Step 1: Seach For Domains

  • Visit the official website of HostGator and go to the domains option. 
  • Then go to the ‘register domains’ option to type your desired business name. 

Step 2. Checkout Your Cart

  • You will be redirected to another page with pricing plans if the domain name is available. 
  • Click on the proceed option to pay and get started with your new domain name. 

Comparison Table

Now that we know about the top six web domain providers let us compare them in the table below. Our rating is based on the 

Provider Rating Review Key Features
Neo 4.8/5 While Neo is relatively newer than the other web domain providers, its advanced features can be advantageous. Free one-page website
Email Hosting
GoDaddy 4.5/5 Renewal prices of the GoDaddy domain hike from time to time, which may add to the total expense Easy to use
All-in-one platform
Namecheap 4.3/5 Namecheap is a great option it may not have efficient customer service. Affordable domain hosting
A robust domain name search tool.
Hostinger 4.5/5 Hostinger offers an integrated system with a vast option of domain names. Various hosting plans
Several domain extensions
Bluehost 4.7/5 Bluehost’s customer support is comparatively average, and the hosting platform has a slower response time. WordPress friendly
Free SSL certificate
Hostgator 4.2/5 Hostgator’s domain search options are more robust, with limited-period free domains and some hosting plans. Better storage options
Free domain for 1 year with some hosting plans

Wrapping Up

Having a website domain name has become an indispensable part of your business and online branding activity. From creating your business identity to establishing a common space to interact with your team, a web domain is an important factor. Unfortunately, the process of purchasing a domain is straightforward. You can always buy such web domain names with platforms like Neo. 

It does not matter if you are running a business or planning to start one soon; a website domain is an important investment when starting your journey. If you want a streamlined and integrated email domain service with email marketing tools, Neo is your best tool. So, head to Neo and buy your chosen domain to start your business soon. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1. How can I buy a domain name permanently?

Unfortunately, you cannot buy a domain name permanently. Domain registration is like a leasing or rental service, and a website domain provider will allow you to register your domain for up to 10 years. These providers usually offer an auto-renewal service so you do not lose your domain upon its expiration date.

Q2. What do I need to do to buy a domain name?

To learn how to buy a domain name, follow the steps discussed in this guide. The most straightforward way is to visit a website domain provider, like Neo, GoDaddy, Google Domains, or Namecheap, pay a fee, and get the domain instantly. 

Q3. Is it possible for me to get a domain name for free?

Yes, you can get a domain name for free from service providers that offer you such complimentary services. Platforms like Neo enable you to search for a domain that matches your brand, add the .co site extension to it, and start working with it immediately.

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