When it comes to building a website, the first step is to choose a domain name and register it with a domain registrar. If you’re new to the space, it can be overwhelming to navigate the various options out there. After all, what difference does it really make which company you choose?
Well, as it turns out, quite a lot.
In my experience, domain registrars vary in terms of customer service, user-friendliness, and pricing structures. Some even offer extra features like website builders or privacy protection for an additional cost, while others include them for free in their basic package.
To help make the decision easier for you, I’ve compiled a list of the six best domain registrars on the market today so you can find the perfect fit for your website needs.
- Bluehost – High-quality provider that offers great value on hosting bundles
- Hostinger – Affordable option with excellent hosting options
- Domain.com – Simple, user-friendly platform with competitive pricing
- GoDaddy – Big name hosting provider with a wide range of services
- Namecheap – Great value for budget-conscious customers
- DreamHost – Popular hosting provider offering domain registration bundles
Now, let’s dive into the specifics of each registrar’s pros, cons, and pricing.
Bluehost
If you have done any research into hosting providers, chances are you’ve come across Bluehost. They are a veteran in the industry, known for their reliable hosting services and competitive pricing. However, they just so happen to be one of the best domain name registration providers around.
Bluehost sells a wide variety of TLDs (top-level domains), including the commonly used .com and .org, as well as country code TLDs like .co.uk and .ca. If you prefer, you can also opt for a more unique TLD that is more specific to your business needs (there are plenty of options available).
One of the major pros of Bluehost is that they offer great deals on hosting packages if you want to bundle your domain registration with website hosting. They also offer a free domain for the first year when signing up for certain plans, making it a cost-effective option for new website owners.
Bluehost also offers integrations with popular website builders like WordPress, making it easy for those without coding experience to build a professional-looking site.
The downside of Bluehost is that their customer service can be hit or miss, with some users having negative experiences with getting help for technical issues. However, if you are a relatively tech-savvy user, this shouldn’t be too much of a problem.
Pros
- Wide range of TLDs
- Trusted and reliable
- Great value on hosting bundles
- Free domain name available
Cons
- Customer service can be inconsistent
- No refunds on purchases
Pricing
Bluehost seems to offer various deals and discounts throughout the year, so it’s worth checking their website for current pricing. However, a .com domain will cost around $12.99/year when not on sale.
Privacy and protection are auto-enrolled at $11.88 per year but can be turned off if not needed.
Hostinger
If budget is a concern for you, Hostinger might be the perfect fit. They offer lower prices for domain registration compared to some of the bigger providers, with a .com name costing around $9.99 per year.
Like Bluehost, Hostinger offers a wide array of TLDs, as well as website hosting packages if you want to bundle your domain registration with a hosting plan (you get a domain for free). Some of the most popular TLDs include .com, .net, .org, .info, and even misc TLDs like .photography and .online.
In fact, some of the more obscure TLDs only cost $0.99 per year (such as .shop, .online, and .store).
Hostinger also offers one-click WordPress installation and a website builder, making it easy for new website owners to quickly set up their site. You also get SSL certifications and unlimited subdomains included in their basic hosting plan.
If I had to give a downside, it would be that the single shared hosting plan is a little basic and may not have enough features for more advanced website owners.
Pros
- Affordable pricing
- Wide range of TLDs
- Free domain included with hosting plans
- Website builder and one-click WordPress installation
Cons
- The shared hosting plan may not be enough for advanced users
Pricing
As mentioned, Hostinger offers affordable pricing with a .com domain costing around $9.99/year. Alternative domain extensions (such as .shop and .online) only cost $0.99/year.
Domain.com
Domain.com does what it says on the tin – it offers a wide variety of domain names for registration, with hundreds of TLDs to choose from. If you are looking for a simple and easy-to-use interface for registering your domain without the added frills, Domain.com is the provider for you.
Simply head to the site, use the domain search tool and purchase the name you want. Domain.com even gives you the option to purchase your domain name for the next five years at once, which can save you some money in the long run and give you peace of mind that your domain won’t expire in the near future.
As with many of the others on this list, Domain.com also offers web hosting packages if you want to bundle your domain registration with hosting services.
They also provide a variety of website builder tools, email and email marketing services, and security features. Due to all of this Domain.com is one of the most versatile options on this list.
One downside is that Domain.com does not offer monthly payment options for its web hosting plans. This may make it a less attractive option for those on a tight budget, who only want to pay month-to-month rather than committing to a yearly plan.
Pros
- Straightforward purchasing of domain names
- Easy-to-use interface
- Option to purchase a domain for five years
- Wide selection of added tools
Cons
- No monthly payment options for web hosting plans
- A lot of upselling
Pricing
Domain.com offers competitive pricing, with a .com domain costing around $9.99 per year. Alternative domains start as low as $3.99 per year.
GoDaddy
GoDaddy is one of the biggest and most well-known domain registrars on the market, with over 21 million customers worldwide. Thanks to its wide range of tools, features, and services, GoDaddy is the platform I would recommend to those looking for a one-stop shop for their website-building needs.
However, what you gain in convenience, you may lose in terms of pricing. While some of the headline offers for domain names may appear to be cheap, the actual price you pay tends to be quite a bit higher, at least in the long term. For example, the prices you are quoted are for the first year of registration only, and renewal prices are significantly higher.
With that said, GoDaddy does offer some great cost-saving options as well. There are domain bundles available that allow you to purchase multiple TDLs at once such as .com, .UK, and .org (for 60% off).
If you notice that your preferred domain name is taken you can use GoDaddy’s Domain Broker Service which pairs you up with an agent who will help you negotiate a deal to buy it from the current owner.
Finally, there is a nice privacy feature that GoDaddy offers its customers for free (that is typically charged for by other registrars), in which your personal information is hidden from public view on the WHOIS directory.
Pros
- One-stop shop for website building needs
- Domain bundles
- Broker service available
- WHOIS privacy is included for free
Cons
- More expensive
- Lots of upselling
- Can get stung on renewal fees
Pricing
GoDaddy offers some excellent prices for the first year. For example, at the moment you can pick up a .com domain for $0.01 but then the subsequent years are billed at $20.00. The prices for alternative domains start at $0.99 per year but beware of the renewal fees.
Namecheap
As the name suggests, Namecheap is all about offering competitive prices for domain names – and they definitely deliver on that front. In my experience, Namecheap also offers one of the fastest and most straightforward purchase processes in the industry.
Simply head to the site, find your domain, and quickly add it to your cart. Along with their competitive prices, Namecheap also offers a variety of deals and discounts, making it even more affordable to purchase your preferred domain name.
Currently, a .com domain will set you back $9.58, but if it’s your first time buying with Namecheap then it’s only $6.98. And unlike other registers, there are no strings attached, no hidden fees, and very limited upsells.
In terms of security, Namecheap also offers its customers WhoisGuard as standard, adding a layer of privacy to your personal information on the WHOIS directory.
Pros
- Competitive prices
- Straightforward purchasing process
- No hidden fees
- Limited upsells
Cons
- Fewer additional features and services compared to some other registers
- The back end can get a little complicated
Pricing
A .com domain from Namecheap will cost as low as $6.58 per year, with alternative domains starting at $1.30 per year. WhoisGuard privacy protection is included for free.
DreamHost
Last but not least, we have DreamHost, which is a popular option for those looking for reliable hosting as well as domain registration. And in fact, it may be worth considering purchasing both services from the same provider to streamline your website-building efforts and save some money.
The company offers access to over 400 TLDs and the purchasing process is fairly straightforward. As for pricing, .com domains start at $8.99 per year, and alternative domains from $1.99 per year – making them one of the cheapest options on the market.
On top of this, Dreamhost offers free WHOIS privacy protection with each purchased domain, as well as the ability to easily manage multiple domains through their intuitive dashboard.
Overall, it’s a great all-around solution and a strong contender for those looking for both domain registration and hosting.
Pros
- Competitive prices
- Ability to easily manage multiple domains
- Free WHOIS privacy protection
Cons
- Domain transfers are pricey
- Support is lacking
Pricing
.com domains start at $8.99 per year and alternative domains from $1.99 per year. WHOIS privacy protection is included for free. Transfers start at $9.95 (plus the cost of a one-year renewal).
How to choose the right domain registrar
The best place to purchase a domain name ultimately depends on your unique needs and preferences. If price is your top priority, then Namecheap is probably going to be your best bet. But if you’re looking for a one-stop shop for both domain registration and hosting, then GoDaddy may be worth considering.
With that said, there are some other factors that you need to keep in mind other than price, let’s explore a few of them below.
Security
In terms of security, it’s important to make sure that your chosen registrar offers some form of WHOIS privacy protection. This will keep your personal information hidden from the public WHOIS directory, preventing potential spam and protecting your online identity.
As we have shown with our list of providers, some offer this as standard, while others may charge an additional fee. To be honest, there is no real extra benefit for paying for this service as it’s not like a higher level of security is offered. So if you can get it for free, go for that option.
Additional features and services
Since you are buying a domain name, it’s pretty likely that you will also be setting up a website. So you may want to consider registrars that offer additional features and services such as hosting, website builders, and email accounts.
Every single option in this list does provide some form of hosting, but some may offer more robust packages and deals if you bundle them with your domain purchase. However, some are better than others for different things.
For example, many people prefer BlueHost’s WordPress integration over Namecheap, since it is much easier to set up and use for beginners. So if you know what type of website you want to build, it may be worth doing some research on which registrar offers the best features for your needs.
After all, the best website to buy a domain name may not be the best place to go for your hosting needs.
List of available TLDs
Back in the day, the only TLD that was really worth considering was .com. But now, there are so many options available from .club to .photography to even more obscure ones like .pizza.
Some registrars may have a limited selection, so if you are looking for something more unique or specific, it’s worth checking out their list of available TLDs before making a purchase. In my opinion, the best website for domain names across various TLDs is probably Domain.com or Namecheap.
In particular, Namecheap offers a domain search service called “Beast Mode” which helps you find domain names across 1157 possible TLDs.
Buying in bulk
If you are buying for a business or a brand, you may be interested in purchasing multiple domains or even just the same domain with various TLDs (such as .com, .net, and .org). This has become common practice in many industries as a way to protect your brand and prevent cybersquatting.
On top of this, if you own multiple TLDs for the same domain, it can also help direct more traffic to your website as some users may accidentally type in the wrong TLD.
In terms of bulk purchasing, Namecheap (once again) and GoDaddy both offer competitive pricing options for buying multiple domains. GoDaddy even offers a discount when you purchase additional TLDs with your .com domain.
Customer support
It’s always a good idea to consider the customer support offered by your registrar. While it may not be a daily necessity, there may come a time when you need help with something technical or have a question about your account. This is especially important if you are not particularly tech-savvy or knowledgeable about domain names.
For instance, if you purchase a domain name with one company but have hosting with another, you will need to access your DNS settings in order to properly connect the two. In this case, it’s helpful to have a registrar with knowledgeable and responsive customer support who can assist you with any issues.
In my experience, Hostinger’s customer support has been excellent in terms of both speed and helpfulness. They have a 24/7 live chat feature that is very convenient for any urgent issues that may come up.
Final thoughts
So, where is the best place to buy a domain name? Well, as you can see, this all depends on your individual needs and preferences. The best domain name registrar for an eCommerce store owner may not necessarily be the best for a photographer or blogger.
With this in mind, do some research on what features and services are important to you, and then consider whether or not a particular registrar offers them. And of course, don’t forget to watch out for those pesky renewal fees. It’s easy to get enticed by a cheap initial price, only to get stung by high renewal fees later on.
And finally, always remember that you are not limited to just one registrar – you can always transfer your domain to another company if needed. Happy domain hunting!
