If you’ve decided that it’s time to make that leap and purchase a domain name, then bravo! A domain name is an essential part of your website and it can do wonders for your business, including improving your search engine rankings, reinforcing your brand identity, and making your website more easily accessible. We definitely recommend jumping on the domain name bandwagon as soon as you can. But how do you get a domain? Keep reading to find out!
What’s a domain name and why do you need one?
Wondering what a domain name is? Don’t worry – it’s pretty simple. In a nutshell, a domain name is the address of your website. This address is made up of the name of your business, blog or store, as well as a domain extension such as .co.uk or .com. Starting your online journey begins with buying a domain name. Associating your brand and your business with a domain name will help you to carve out an online presence. This means that your customers will be able to remember your domain and revisit your site over and over again.
Not only is choosing a domain name important for branding, but it’s also a vital part of the Domain Name System (DNS). The DNS is essential to the internet’s functionality – without it, internet services such as websites and emails would be unreachable. Domain names are a key part of the DNS because they translate human-friendly domain names into computer-friendly IP addresses, and vice versa.
Every single website domain is linked to a unique IP address, which is a long string of numbers. Servers need IP addresses to locate and connect users to the sites they request, but if users had to type in each IP address manually, it would be impossible for people to remember the IP addresses of multiple sites. But, since each IP address is linked to an easy-to-remember domain name, users only have to memorise these simple domains instead.
How much does a domain name cost?
Generally, domains vary in cost depending on which name you select, and which extension you opt for. You can expect the cost of an average domain name to range from £10 to £40 annually, which is well worth it for the benefits.
Choosing a more popular domain extension – also known as a top-level domain or TLD – like .com can sometimes be more expensive because of the higher demand. If you’re on a budget, you may find it more affordable to choose a new TLD that doesn’t have the same level of demand. However, this could have a negative impact on your website’s branding and memorability, as most internet users automatically try ‘.com’ when searching for a website.
On the other hand, some newer TLDs can be a lot more expensive than tried-and-true favourites like .com if they’re hyper-specific to a particular niche. For example, the .car domain extension will cost you a whopping £2000 per year – this is because it includes a keyword for a lucrative industry. These keyword-rich domain extensions related to specific niches will instantly tell users exactly what your site is about and also improve search engine rankings, but these benefits can come at a steep cost.
Most users will opt for popular extensions like .com or .co.uk – which cost £15.82 and £11.99 per year respectively here at Fasthosts – but if you want something a bit different, make sure you check the renewal prices on our website. You can also check out our domain name deals, including FREE .com domains for the first year!
Already have a domain name in mind? Use our domain name search tool to help you manage and map out your domain budget for the next few years. If you already have a Fasthosts account, you can also check domain availability via your Control Panel.
How do I purchase a domain name?
Purchasing a domain name is a step in the right direction for every business looking to connect with customers virtually. But did you know that you can’t technically ‘buy’ a domain name?
Domain names cannot be bought permanently – you have to renew your domain name at the end of your registration period (usually 1-10 years) and pay a renewal fee. However, many domain hosting providers or domain registrars allow you to auto-renew your domains so you can keep them indefinitely, as long as you pay your renewal fees. If you don’t set up an auto-renew process, you’ll need to remember to manually renew your domain. Your provider should send you reminders, but if you miss the deadline, your domain name could end up back on the market – putting your brand at risk.
But before you can even think about renewals, you need to know how to purchase a website domain first. We’ve broken down the process of purchasing a domain name into three simple steps. So let’s get started.
Step one: Choosing a domain name and extension
It’s possible that you already have a domain name in mind, but if you don’t then this step is for you. Should you opt for a long or a short domain name? Should you consider an SEO-friendly domain name? Choosing the right domain name is key, as it’s what your customers will remember you by and it’s what will keep them coming back for more. So make sure that you brainstorm a few different names before deciding, rather than making a snap decision.
Here are some general guidelines to help you choose a high-quality domain name:
- Stick to short domain names – these are easier for people to remember and type, making it more likely for them to correctly locate your website.
- Pick a domain name that includes keywords relevant to your brand – this can improve your rankings in search engine results and therefore reach more customers.
- Stick to standard spellings, as this will minimise the risk of domain name typos.
- Avoid special characters so that your domain is simple and easy to remember.
If you already have a brand name, it’s easy to pick a domain – you’ll simply choose your brand name and a domain extension like .com. However, if this is already taken, check the availability of different extensions. You can also add prefixes and suffixes to your brand name relating to your location or products.
Picking a domain extension
An essential part of any domain is the domain extension or TLD, which is the .com or .co.uk section. There are many different types of domain extensions to choose from, including generic TLDs like .com or .net, country code TLDs (ccTLDs) like .uk or .fr for the UK and France, and new TLDs like .xyz and .biz, which offer something a bit different from the widely used generic TLDs and ccTLDs.
With more and more TLDs appearing every year, from .blog to .shop, your domain extension options are endless. But, how can you choose the right TLD? Well, for example, if you’re a British business and you want to show your Britishness, a.co.uk TLD is a great choice. Or maybe you’re setting up an online shop, and a .shop TLD is more up your street. Pick whatever works best for your website.
Step 2: Picking a domain name provider
There are lots of domain name providers – also called domain name registrars – on the market, but that doesn’t mean they’re all for you. Each provider will offer different packages with various features and prices, so make sure to spend some time looking into all of your options. Don’t rush into anything you’re unsure of; it’s better to be safe than sorry when spending your money on a domain.
When looking for a domain hosting provider, here are some key things to consider:
- The domain extensions on offer – Not all providers offer the same TLDs, so if you have a specific one in mind, make sure you choose a domain registrar that has what you need.
- Initial prices and renewal costs – Some providers offer very cheap initial prices but much higher renewal costs, which could be out of your price range. Always check all costs before proceeding, and only choose reputable providers with no hidden fees – like us!
- Do they offer auto-renewals? – This is a brilliant feature if you’re worried about forgetting to renew your domain name on time.
- Flexible registration – Some domain registrars offer flexible registration options to suit a wider range of customers, including one-year or multi-year registration deals (which can result in cost savings in the long run).
- ICANN accreditation – Reputable domain name registrars should be accredited by ICANN (The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers), which is the organisation responsible for IP address, domain and DNS management.
- Customer service – Do they offer 24/7 support?
- Customer reviews and testimonials – Are there plenty of positive, genuine reviews?
Step 3: Using a domain name search tool
Now that you’ve chosen your domain name, and the provider you want to lease it with, it’s time to check if it’s available. Using your provider’s domain name search tool, you will be able to see if your chosen name and extension is available to purchase. Sometimes, the one you wanted is unavailable, but don’t worry, it’s just a momentary setback. We will talk a bit more about how to get a domain name that isn’t currently available later in this post.
Step 4: Buy the domain
Now you can go ahead and purchase the domain through your chosen provider. During the purchasing process, you’ll be asked to set up an account with your new domain registrar. Make sure you provide up-to-date contact information, because if you haven’t selected auto-renewals as part of your deal, you will need to receive renewal reminders and act on them before your domain is put back on the market.
Once you have a Fasthosts account, it’s super easy to purchase your chosen domain. First, you need to head to ‘Hosting & Domains’ in the menu and select ‘Domain Names’.
Then, click the tab called ‘Register’ in your dashboard.
From here, you can search for your domain and add it to your basket if it’s available.
Finally, you can customise your package by choosing additional services (like web hosting) and choosing the length of your registration period, usually between 1 year and 10 years.
Step 5: Confirm your domain name registration
Congratulations – you now have a domain name! To ensure everything runs smoothly from now onwards, you should check your emails for a verification request from your domain provider. This is why it’s essential that you always provide up-to-date contact information.
Note: Remember to renew your domain name on time to avoid losing it to someone else.
Bonus step: Registering multiple domains
For many businesses, it’s best to register multiple domain names rather than sticking to one. For example, you could register domain variations with different TLDs, so if you already had a .co.uk domain, you would register the .com version. You could then redirect visitors on the second domain back to your main domain, helping you reach customers who’ve accidentally typed the wrong TLD.
Similarly, you should register domain name typos to capture traffic that’s currently lost to domain misspellings. This is a common tactic used by well known brands such as Google, who have registered misspellings like gogle.com to make sure all traffic makes its way to the proper domain.
Another key benefit of registering multiple domains is that this thwarts cybersquatters and typosquatters. These are cybercriminals who deliberately register domain variations (or misspellings) of existing brands in order to hold these domains to ransom, selling them back to the brand at a highly inflated price. In even more nefarious cases, these cybercriminals can create websites on these domains that mimic the brand’s real websites, encouraging users to enter their personal information into the fake site or to click on links. This allows them to steal data and infect people’s devices with malware, and if these incidents are linked to your brand through cybersquatting, this can be extremely damaging to your brand reputation.
How to find out who owns a domain
Did you decide on the perfect domain name only to find that it was already taken? You’re not alone. With thousands and thousands of domains registered every single day, it’s no wonder that it’s getting harder to find available domain names. However, you may still be able to purchase the domain you wanted after all.
There are tools online which help to locate the current owner of a domain name, and it’s possible to get in touch with them and purchase the domain from them. For example, you can use the public database WHOIS to find the contact information of the person or organisation that owns a particular domain. However, we always recommend getting a third party involved in these transactions to avoid any mishaps.
Check out our blog post ‘how to find out who owns a domain’ to find out more about tracking down your desired domain. Or, if someone else has contacted you through a domain you own, check out our blog post on how to sell a domain name to find out how to sell it safely.
Transferring your domain name from one provider to another
Some domain owners come to the conclusion that the provider they’re with isn’t the right one for them. Whether this decision is based on pricing or package features, it’s a choice many people make. Luckily, you don’t have to stick with the same provider. Transferring your domain name to Fasthosts is quick, simple and free, and there are no hard feelings involved in the move.
Frequently asked questions about domain registration
How can I get a domain name for free?
Here at Fasthosts, we offer amazing deals on a wide variety of domain extensions, including popular options like .com and .co.uk. In fact, you can currently buy a .co.uk domain with us for just 49p for the first year, or you can get a .com domain name for FREE for the first year! Plus, if you’re one of our Web Hosting customers, you’ll get up to 5 free domain names included in your hosting plan, making it easier than ever to build a website.
How do I purchase a domain name permanently?
Wondering how to buy the domain permanently instead of renewing it every year? Unfortunately, it’s not possible to permanently buy a domain name. The maximum registration period for most domains is 10 years, but after your registration period expires, you’ll need to renew your domain – unless you’ve enabled auto-renewals with your provider.
When should I buy a domain name?
The sooner the better! More and more domains are snapped up each day, so if you’ve got your eye on a particular domain name and TLD, make sure you check the availability and make a purchase as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
How long does it take to register a domain name?
Registration should be completed within 24 hours, although web server issues may cause a slight delay in some cases.
How do I manage my domain names?
Registering a domain means you’ll need to spend time maintaining DNS and WHOIS records, keeping up with renewal reminders, monitoring security threats and more. This can be even trickier if you’ve registered multiple domains, so it’s important that you familiarise yourself with the basics of domain name management before you get started. Luckily, you can check out our complete guide to domain management to learn everything you need to know!
If you’ve decided to opt for a domain name with us, check out our available domain names today or discover our free domain transfer service. Looking for something more specific, such as a .co.uk domain? Why not browse our collection?
Our sales team is also available to offer any domain-related advice you might need or to answer any questions you have regarding our other products and services.
