If you are starting an online business, or you have plans to expand your business to the online sphere, the first step that you need to take is to learn how to buy a domain name from services like GoDaddy. Without buying a domain name, you cannot build your website, publish content, list the goods that you are selling, and alike.

However, you also need to put a bit of thought into it, as your domain name is something on top of which you will start building your business identity. In other words, it needs to represent your business accurately.

So today, we will talk about what you need to pay attention to, how to buy and register your desired domain, and everything else you need to know about it.

3 Steps of Buying a Domain Name

In order to get a domain name, there are only three steps that you need to follow, and those include:

  1. Choosing a domain name registrar
  2. Choosing a domain name and checking its availability
  3. Registering the desired domain name

In other words, you need to pick a service, pick a name, and register it, provided that it is available.

As you can see, it is a rather short and relatively simple procedure, in theory. In practice, you might have to agree to a compromise, but we will talk more about that soon.

For now, let’s get on with the steps.

Step 1: Choosing a Domain Name Registrar

What is a domain registrar?

To put it simply, a domain registrar is a company that allows you to register your domain name, such as GoDaddy.

These are standalone companies that are managed by a governing body known as ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers).

When it comes to choosing a domain registrar, there are several factors you should consider. For example, you want to have:

  • Total control over your domain (not every registrar allows it!)
  • Excellent 24/7 customer support
  • Good prices
  • Rich domain options
  • Good privacy options
  • and alike.

You might also wish to choose a domain registrar based on what domain extensions they offer.

While a lot of businesses would be fine with .com, you may want to have a different one for your own reasons. If so, check which extensions are available at the registrar you are interested in.

We can recommend GoDaddy as one of the best domain registrars out there. They offer even a hosting service but in this case, you should read our GoDaddy review to understand if their web hosting is good for your project or you should check other options.

Step 2: Choosing a Domain Name with GoDaddy

Once you have found your domain registrar, the next step is searching for an available domain name that you prefer, and that would properly suit your business.

Remember: Your domain name will shape your business identity. It will also allow you to connect with your target audience. It may very well be one of the most important aspects of your business, so you need to choose it adequately.

Since it is so important for the future of your business and your very online identity — you should not put off registering it. Instead, try to buy it in the early stages of naming your business.

Now, to explain how to search for the name, we will use the world’s biggest registrar — GoDaddy — as an example. Here are the steps you need to follow.

#1 Go to GoDaddy’s website (GoDaddy.com)

GoDaddy domain registrar

#2 Enter the domain name you wish to register in the search bar and hit Search

search for a domain name with GoDaddy

#3 If your domain name is taken, you will be notified right under the search bar, and in this case, you need to choose a different one.

domain taken

#4 If your chosen domain name is available, great! You are ready to proceed to the next step.

One thing to note is that GoDaddy will provide suggestions for your domain name based on what you enter into the search field, even if the one you want is taken.

Daddy domain name suggestion

This is similar to what happens when you try to create a new email address, and the one you want is not available in its original form.

Another alternative is to purchase a domain name via auctions, as businesses often tend to sell them after closing down, and in similar situations.

Step 3: How to Register Your Domain Name

The final step is registering your domain name. You can do it with GoDaddy, or another register that you prefer to use.

Once again, we will present you with steps for doing it on GoDaddy.

Here is what you need to do:

#1 Enter the domain name into the search bar

#2 If available click to “Add to Cart”

add domain name to cart

#3 You may also want to register alternative extensions to secure your brand.

#4 Hit “Continue to Cart”

Continue to cart

#5 Select or ignore a domain privacy plan

#6 Before proceeding with the purchase you need to create an account

How to create an account with GoDaddy

#7 Review your order and select the payment method

How to buy a domain name with GoDaddy

#8 Click “Complete Purchase”

Tips for Choosing Your Domain Name

As you can see, searching and registering a domain name is rather simple and straightforward when it comes to the procedure itself.

However, you still need to find the name that will suit your business, and do it early on so that you can have enough time to adapt if something needs changing.

There are also plenty of mistakes that could happen, which you could avoid if you are aware of them. You should NOT:

1) Fart

The term comes from a metal artist, Frank, who signed his work with F. He created his business, naming it F Art Gallery. However, his domain, fartgallery.com, took on a different meaning.

2) Try too hard

You should always keep in mind that you want people to be able to find your website easily. In other words, do not try to be overly clever when naming it, and don’t use wordplay.

It might be fun when you realize the deeper meaning, but it won’t make it easier for people to find you.

3) Corner yourself

If you only have one product to offer at the beginning of your career, do not allow it to define your business by putting it into your domain name.

That will limit you forever, and if you ever start offering more, you might need to make another website and start from scratch.

4) Be anti-social media

Social media is a huge place and perfect for marketing. Whether you like it/use it or not, you should use its potential.

Choose a domain name that mirrors your social media handle, if you have it. It will be easier for marketing, and people will be able to remember your site.

5) Make it too long

Obviously, you need your domain name to be memorable, so keep it simple, short, and to the point. Do not make it an entire sentence, as people will easily forget it.

Conclusion

Choosing a domain name is a crucial aspect of your business, and you need to register it as soon as possible. You should also keep in mind that it does matter where you register it, as there are plenty of different aspects that may be different from one register to another, as mentioned before.

Other than that, make sure to choose a sensible name that is available, and that will represent your business well. Also, allow yourself room to grow in the future, and you will cover some of the most obvious (and yet most common) errors that people tend to make.

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