You need to buy a domain name from a Top domain registrar for webiste to start your website. Choosing the right domain registrar is an important step to creating any website.
Before purchasing a domain name review these tips to make sure everything goes smoothly.
Steps to choose perfect domain registrar for a website
Research before buying a domain
Research online before shifting to a domain registrar for a domain name. Make sure the company provides everything you need for a domain. Read the small print before you buy a domain name. Also read the reviews thoroughly left by customers.
Preferred domain name and TLD availability
Not all registrars have access to every type of domain name (e.g. ‘.com’, ‘.net, ‘.org, ‘.biz, etc.). While maximum provides support for .com extension, Some domain providers give support for only country specific or geographical domains.
All good domain providers have domain search tools to search preferred domain name and extensions availability.
Starting and renewal pricing
Fare pricing is important. Find a domain registrar that allows you to register your domain within your budget with reasonable options you need.
Some registrars provide a low price or discount for the first year on domain name registrations, but their renewal prices can be different, even if it can be bundled with some add-ons that you don’t need at all.
Prices vary among domain extensions, too, so a registrar that offers top notch value for a .com domain might come up with a high price in terms of .org extension.
Also it is better to check for any additional charges for domain renewal, transfers, and other fees.
You can chat or contact for pre purchase support with domain providers for more clarification.
Domain transfer policy
Domains can be moved from one domain registrar to some other. Normally it doesn’t need to transfer a domain name. But if you are unhappy with your current domain registrar then this option should be available.
Most registrars offer a very easy to transfer option without any additional charges. Some domain providers may have a very minimal transfer fee.
Note: You cannot transfer your domain within the first 60 days of the registration. This initial holding time is decided by ICANN.
Check their expiration grace periods
Domains are registered for a specific duration – 1 year (minimum), 2 years, 5 years.
The grace duration after expiration can help clients who missed the expiration date. Although most of the domain registrars have auto renewal option by default. However, if you disable auto renewal and forget to renew your domain name, then it will be available for sale again and anyone can register it, locking your business out.
Even if you have auto renewal enabled, but your credit card expired, and your domain registrar doesn’t have any grace period, then you may fail to renew it. So domain registrars having grace periods are extremely useful.
Add-on services and price of each add-on
Along with domain registration, most domain providers may even sell WordPress managed hosting service, email hosting and marketing, website builders, email marketing services, and more.
Some domain providers may include others add-on services like domain privacy, domain parking, extended expiration protection.
Some providers include these add-ons with every domain registration by default, while others require you to add, and pay extra for each service individually.
In other cases, some non-profit organizations may want to show their domain contact information.
Domain privacy + protection
Anyone who owns a domain is required by ICANN (and also by registries not governed by ICANN) to provide full contact information for their domain. This information is publicly available online in the WHOIS database.
Choose a domain provider that has an ICANN accreditation.
Adding domain privacy will keep all your information private. Your domain ownership information will be anonymous and it will show a placeholder information in place of yours.
Domain Privacy + Protection protects you from:
- Domain hijacking
- Spam and other unwanted emails.
- Identity theft.
- Malware and SEO blacklists
Security and domain lock
Best domain registrars have tight account security. Domain lock helps against unauthorized domain transfers and changes. So it is best to leave a domain name locked unless you are about to transfer it to another registrar.
Check existing user experiences
User experience is the most important benchmark to consider in a domain provider. A registrar’s website and dashboard should be easy to navigate and configure. Actions like updating DNS records, and transferring domains, should be intuitive. Good companies provide clear documentation for every step.
Support system
Before buying any domain from the registrar, try to get in touch with their support staff to see how responsive and helpful they are. Try their pre-purchase support. Companies which respond quickly are more likely to have a better support system in place to deal with any issues which might arise.
Most non-tech people always need support from company staff if there are any problems.
Good domain registrars provide excellent customer service on both live support, knowledge center and phone.
For a simple solution, keeping waiting for days is the worst customer service.