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5 Tips for Buying a Domain Name:
Expert Advice for Non-Techies

By Andy Parker

If you’re starting a website one of the first steps you’ll need to cross off your list  is buying a domain name.

Here’s a simple, step-by-step guide that takes less than 5 minutes to complete.

Step 1: Choose a Domain Registrar

Head to a domain registrar website like GoDaddy.com, Bluehost.com or HostGator.com. I always recommend starting with GoDaddy.com because it’s user-friendly and makes it easy for me, your web designer, to access your domain and start building your site. 

Domain names are relatively inexpensive, typically ranging from $10 to $20.

Step 2: Search for Your Domain Name

Once you’re on a domain registrar website, you’ll see a large search bar. Use this search bar to check the availability of your desired domain name.

Here's what you need to know:

Why Search: You need to see if the domain name you want is actually available. If it’s already taken, you’ll need to come up with an alternative.

If It’s Unavailable: If the name you want is already registered, the registrar might suggest similar available names. Try experimenting with different variations of your desired name.

Here are some tips for choosing the perfect name:

  • Go for .COM: If available, choose a .com domain. It's the most recognized and trusted. If you’re a nonprofit, .org is a great option.
  • Keep It Short and Simple: A domain like JackAndSonsProfessionalPlumbing.com is too long. Look for shorter variations that are easy to remember and spell.
  • Consider Your Business Email: Your domain will be part of your business email. A shorter domain like @JackPlumbing.com works better for email addresses.
  • Localize Your Domain: If you're a local business, include your city or region in the name. For example, try TampaPlumbing.com or TPAplumbing.com.
  • Avoid Symbols: Don’t use dashes, underscores, or numbers. A name like TPA_Plumbing.com is prone to misspellings.

Step 3: Purchase Your Domain

Now that you’ve chosen your domain, here are some tips for purchasing:

1. Skip the Extras

Depending on your agreement with your web designer, you might not need hosting or other add-ons. We host and manage 99% of our clients’ websites, so they don’t need to buy hosting. Always check with your designer first.

2. Privacy Add-On

This add-on hides your personal details from the public WHOIS database, protecting you from spam and potential scams. While it adds a layer of privacy, it comes with an additional cost, which you may choose to forgo if privacy isn’t a concern for you.

3. Buy Similar Versions

Consider purchasing common misspellings or other extensions (like .net or .biz) of your domain. For instance, we own both bungalowwebdesign.com (two w’s) and bungalowebdesign.com (one w) so that people who misspell our name will be redirected to our site.

4. Set Auto-Renew

Always set your domain to auto-renew. You can even buy multiple years at once for a discount. 

Just don’t let your domain expire! Scammers and bots will scoop it up the moment it expires and try to sell it back to you for loads more than you paid for it.

5. Monitor Your Email

Ensure you receive renewal notifications. If your credit card expires and you miss notifications, you might lose your domain, and someone else could claim it and charge you a premium to get it back.

Checklist for Buying a Domain Name

  • Choose a name that is short and easy to remember.
  • Avoid using symbols or numbers.
  • Incorporate your local area if applicable.
  • Consider buying similar versions and other extensions.
  • Ask your web designer if you need to purchase hosting.
  • Set your domain to auto-renew and keep an eye on notifications from your registrar.

See, that wasn’t so bad, right? And it took less than 5 minutes! Now you own your domain and you’re ready to design your new website.

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