When you want to start a new online business or go online with your existing business, you first need to register for a domain name, the name of your website. Getting the right domain per your needs might sound technical initially, but the process is quite simple.
Every website on the internet has a specific IP address, which is generally a set of numbers like 216.27.61.137, which marks each internet-connected device. These addresses point to a website’s location, like the GPS coordinates.
However, it is very challenging to remember all those numbers in exact order to navigate a website. That is when the domain name comes in and lends a helping hand.
DNS, an acronym for Domain name system, was introduced by the internet engineering task force (IETF) to overcome this challenge as it translates those complex IP addresses into simple names that are easy to remember. Those names are called Domain names.
The website’s domain is what people type into the address bar on the browsers to point it toward your website. Users use your digital address to visit your website, for instance, google.com.
The process of selecting and buying the perfect domain name may seem daunting initially. However, this guide will help you understand how simple it is if you follow some best practices.
In this article, we will cover everything that you need to have complete knowledge about the entire process of buying a domain name so that you can register your domain name with ease.
Also read: 7 Best Domain Name Providers For 2023
Let’s begin!
How To Choose a Domain Name?
Since the domain name has a major impact on your online presence and plays a significant role in brand building, it becomes vital to select a domain name that can help build the brand quickly.
Creative and memorable domain names are always better than general ones as the domain name only helps users find, remember and spread the word about your business on the internet.
It is advised to use a domain name that aligns with your business rather than having a domain name that is made up of a bunch of random keywords.
In addition, it is recommended to have a memorable domain name. It would help if you tried to keep it simple enough for anyone to spell and type. Each popular website is short and easy to spell; for instance, google, yahoo, etc. if you choose poorly, there is a reasonable probability that many of the visitors will end up on some other website.
A domain name will become the anchor of a brand or business for years to come. That is why it becomes essential to work up front to ensure that it meets your needs in the long run before registering a domain name.
Also read: Google to Display Real World Names of Site Instead of Domain Name in Mobile Search Results
How To Purchase a Domain Name That is Already Taken?
Suppose you have a great new business idea and the perfect name to match. But when you enter the address in the browser, you come to know that someone already owns the domain. The process through which you can buy the domain from the owner is as follows:
Step 1- Identify the Owner, and Find a Broker
You need to visit the website and find the owner’s contact details. Generally, there are three possible situations here:
- Someone possesses the domain and is actively using it.
- Someone possesses the domain, but they don’t use it or have parked it.
- A domain trader owns and registers, and sells the domains for money.
Once you find out your situation, hire a broker to act on your behalf and ensure the seller does not take advantage of you. Some brokers charge a flat or hourly fee, while others take a percentage of the money you pay for the domain.
You will need a broker when you need to know who owns the domain or if someone is using the domain. Brokers help you efficiently lock the deal as it is very challenging to convince the owner to sell if they actively use the domain.
Also read: Expired Domains: Buying Guide + Top Marketplaces
Step 2- Express Your Interest
You must approach the domain owner and express your interest in the domain. The owner may:
- Ask for a genuine offer, in which case you can go to the next step
- Refuse to sell; you must walk away from the sale and look for another domain name.
Step 3- Make an Offer
If the domain owner is ready to sell the domain, you should make a formal offer in writing which includes the following:
- The domain you want
- The price you are offering
- Your contact details
- The tentative date if the seller accepts the offer
- The terms of the contract
For best results, ensure that you:
- determine a price range and give yourself an upper limit
- always Offer below the price that you can afford so that you are in a position to barter
- avoid making a verbal offer over the phone only without following it up in writing
- Prepare for a counteroffer
The domain name owner would negotiate the price and the terms of the contract until you both agree. It is recommended to confirm your final price in writing.
Also read: Domain Authority and its impact on Google’s search results- SEO RESEARCH SERIES-Part 2
Step 4- Sign a Contract
Once the buyer and seller, i.e., you and the domain owner, agree on a price, you must sign a contract to formalize the deal. The contract will protect both parties and ensure that both parties mutually benefit.
Using a secure payment platform is recommended to protect yourself from semesters.
Step 5- Transfer the Domain to Your Name
It would help if you found an ICANN-accredited registrar for the new domain to transfer ownership to your name. The registrar processes the transfer and notifies both parties once the transfer is complete. The transfer process usually takes up to 60 days, and you must pay a certain amount as their fee.
If the old owner bought the domain less than 60 days ago, then the domain may be subject to a Registrant Lock change. You have to wait until this period passes to transfer the ownership of the domain to your name.
Also read: Domain Name
How To Buy a Domain Name Permanently?
It is easy to secure a domain name if it is free. Here are the steps to understand the process efficiently:
Step 1- Choose a Domain Registrar
What you need to do, at first, is to select an ICANN-accredited registrar to register your name. The registrar is not the same as your web host.
The things to keep in mind when it comes to selecting a registrar are as follows:
- Fee Structure: Each registrar has its fee structure. Select the one that you can afford.
- Any additional services that the registrar is offering: These additional services may include domain privacy and domain parking. Domain privacy hides your contact and business details from the website’s public listing.
- The registrar’s expiration policy: You need to check your registrar’s expiration policy to ensure that your domain has a long term.
- The registrar’s transfer policy: you need to check your registrar’s transfer policy to ensure the flexibility to change registrars, if needed, or sell your domain later at some point in time.
- Whether the registrar provides a secure socket layer certificate: This digital certificate lets you encrypt your website connection and protects visitors.
Also read: How To Choose An SEO Friendly Business Name
Step 2- Follow the Registrar’s Checkout Process
Use the registrar’s tool to determine if it can sell you the desired domain. If you can buy your domain, choose a plan that suits your purpose and follow the registrar’s checkout process.
When you reach the checkout process, you need to provide your registrar with your:
- Name
- Address
- Organization Name
- Contact details
- Payment information
You can purchase domain privacy if you don’t want your contact information to be public.
Choosing a shorter plan to start enables you to switch if you are not satisfied with your registrar’s service, speed, security, or other things.
Step 3- Register Your Domain and Verify Your Ownership
You need to register your domain and do much of the heavy work for you behind the scenes.
You must confirm your details to ensure your registration is done. Depending on your registrar, you need to verify your contact details, i.e., email address or phone number.
In addition, you need to follow the registrar’s instructions to verify your identity if you want to purchase Top-level domains like .edu.
Step 4- Set Up Website Hosting
It is generally recommended to find and hire a professional website host capable of making websites that are easy to build, fast, and protected with hardware firewalls, uptime monitoring, SSL support, and distributed denial of service (DDoS) detection.
In addition, you should prefer a web host that can offer an expert opinion so that you can have the best result.
Also read: Effect of Parked Domains Without Content
Points to Keep in Mind Before You Buy a Domain Name
Key points that you should have in mind before you buy a domain name are as follows:
1. Check the Competition
Keeping an eye on the other players in the business has always been considered a matter of great importance. It is advised to glance at the domain names of the leaders and competitors in the business.
Note any keywords they include and their domain extension, anything to the right of the dot. Once you develop something that suits your requirement, check for its availability.
2. Make It Easy To Type & Remember
It is essential to have a web address that users can relay via word of mouth. It becomes difficult to remember and visualize such domains with multiple hyphens or characters or with the odd spelling of words.
That is why it is a must to have an accessible domain name, as users should know how to type it correctly as soon as they hear about it.
In addition, try to use words with only one common spelling sparingly, as it creates unnecessary confusion.
3. Avoid Slang & Pop Culture
It is recommended to avoid using slang or pop culture words in your domain name. For the long-term success of your brand, you should pick a web address with traditional words, not something whose popularity can fade within a few years.
In addition, you should avoid using slang or only universally recognizable slang. Your domain name should be accessible across the globe.
Also read:
4. Shorter Is Better
If your domain name consists of multiple words, the users must remember them in the correct sequence and order. They also need to type it correctly for better results. That is why keeping the domain name short and straightforward is recommended, as it enables the users to remember it correctly.
It would help if you had a proper strategy for finding a short domain that fits your business needs.
5. Avoid Using Hyphen or Numbers
You may find it tempting to add hyphens in the domain name if it has more than two words for readability. The problem is that users might need to remember the hyphen and wind up at another website. Thus you should avoid using hyphens in the domain name that you want to have.
The same problem emerges when you have numbers in the domain name, as it will create a dilemma in the user’s mind. They would need clarification about whether they should spell the number or use numerals, which would redirect them to another website.
Also read: 10 Best Startup Name Generators
Therefore, avoiding using hyphens or numbers in the domain name is recommended for better results.
Conclusion
Selecting and buying a domain name are necessary for the entire website creation process. Domain names have a vital role as it enables website owners to launch their websites on digital platforms and make users easily access the website.
Always remember to have a domain name that is simple and short, easy to memorize, and future-proof. You can check the name on the trademark database to avoid copyright infringement. Using a domain name generator is recommended to help you find possible domain names that are the best for your business needs.
This article lets you quickly understand selecting, buying, and registering a domain name.
