Ultimate Guide: How to Buy a Domain Name for Your Website

A domain name is your website’s address and a key branding tool. This guide will help you buy the perfect domain name!

How to Buy a Domain Name in 5 Simple Steps

Before we dive into the steps, let’s talk about the possibility of getting a free domain name. With Hostinger, you can get a free one-year domain registration by purchasing an annual hosting plan. Moreover, after you become our customer, you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy a Domain Bundle deal, which includes domains with the same name but different extensions—a great way to future-proof your branding.

As a web hosting provider, Hostinger simplifies everything by providing both domain name registration and web hosting services on one platform.

1. Brainstorm Your Domain Name

Your domain name should be unique and align with your branding. Start by searching for an available domain name and matching it with the right extension. Also known as top-level domains (TLDs), domain extensions are placed at the end of a web address. For example, Hostinger.com has Hostinger as the address and .com as the domain extension.

There are different types of domain extensions available:

Generic Top-Level Domain (gTLD) – the most common type of TLD for general purposes. Popular examples include .com, .org, and .net. Newer extensions like .xyz, .club, and .online also belong to this category.
Country Code Top-Level Domain (ccTLD) – two-letter top-level domains representing a particular country or geographic location, such as .us and .uk. Since local authorities regulate them, the registration process may have specific requirements and restrictions.
Sponsored Top-Level Domain (sTLD) – designed for specific entities. For example, EDUCAUSE sponsors .edu for educational organizations, while .gov is reserved for government bodies.

To decide on a suitable extension, consider the purpose of your site. For instance, .com, .biz, and .store domain extensions are perfect for an eCommerce business, while using .me or .online TLD is an excellent option for personal blogs or online portfolios.

Hostinger even offers an AI-powered domain checker tool that can suggest domain names based on your brand description.

2. Choose a Reliable Domain Registrar

A domain registrar is a company responsible for registering and managing domain names. It must adhere to the rules set by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), which governs domain registrations globally.

Different domain name registrars have varying features, pricing, support quality, and security levels. Some registrars, like Hostinger, also offer complementary services like website hosting and email hosting.

Consider the following factors when selecting a registrar:

Registration period – look for registrars that offer discounts for longer registration periods.
Domain transfers – check if your preferred registrar has flexible transfer policies with reasonable fees.
Value for money – some registrars offer free WHOIS domain privacy protection, while others waive the domain registration cost for the first year when buying an annual web hosting plan.
Extensions – since each registrar has its own set of extensions, choose one that supports your preferred domain extension.
Ease of use – a good registrar should have a clean layout with user-friendly features.
Customer support – pick a registrar that offers 24/7 support and a well-maintained knowledge base.
Renewal process – a registrar with an auto-renewal feature ensures you won’t lose your domain if you forget to renew it manually.

Check out our list of the best domain registrars to narrow down your options. We also include in-depth tips on how to choose the right registrar for your needs.

3. Purchase Your Domain

After confirming your preferred domain name is available, it’s time to purchase it. Here’s how to register a domain name with Hostinger:

After running a domain name search, select Add to Cart next to your chosen domain. Consider registering other TLDs for your domain to prevent misuse by competitors and boost brand awareness.
On the shopping cart window, choose a registration period. Register your domain for at least two years for the best deal.
Create a new account with your active email address or log in to your existing Hostinger account.
Pick a payment method and enter your payment information.
Review the invoice, then click Submit Secure Payment to complete the checkout process.
After making the payment, the page will redirect you to the Domains page in hPanel. Click Setup next to the domain you just purchased.
Review the domain details and edit your contact details if needed. Select Finish registration to confirm.
If the process is successful, you will be redirected to the Domain Overview page, where you can manage and customize your domain settings.

4. Verify Domain Name Ownership

The final step is to verify your contact information. Check your inbox for an email from the registry and verify it within 15 days. Failure to do so can result in a temporary domain suspension.

If the email doesn’t arrive, resend the request from the Domain Overview page as soon as possible. If you’re having trouble, reach out to our Customer Success team via hPanel; they’re available to help you 24/7.

5. Protect Your Domain

When you register a domain, your contact information becomes publicly available through the WHOIS database, which can expose you to spam and cyber attacks. Getting domain privacy protection reduces the risk of fraud and identity theft by keeping your personal information hidden.

Your registrar will replace your contact information with theirs in the WHOIS database, ensuring privacy while still complying with ICANN’s rules. Most registrars offer this feature as an add-on, charging anywhere between $1-20/year. With Hostinger, registrants get free WHOIS protection for eligible TLDs.

To check whether your domain privacy is enabled on Hostinger:

Head to Domains in hPanel.
Select Manage next to your recently purchased domain.
In the Domain Overview page, ensure the Privacy protection toggle is on.

Importantly, privacy laws like GDPR protect certain users’ personal information from public WHOIS databases without any additional privacy protection services. After registering your domain, run it through a WHOIS lookup tool to check whether your information is already protected.

As domain name ownership isn’t permanent, it’s important to renew your domain before it expires. Luckily, Hostinger offers an auto-renewal feature to eliminate the hassle and risk of manual renewal.

To enable this feature, go to the Domain Overview page and toggle on the Auto-renewal option above Privacy protection. This ensures you maintain domain ownership and prevents downtime.

Congratulations, you now own a domain name! Don’t forget to check out important new domain owner information on ICANN.

How to Buy a Domain Name – Video Tutorial

Learn more about how to register a domain name by watching this Hostinger Academy video.

How to Buy a Domain Name That Is Already Registered

If your preferred domain name is taken, the easiest solution is to find alternative TLDs. Alternatively, you can make an offer to the domain’s current owner. Here’s how:

Check What the Domain Is Currently Used For: Type the desired custom domain name into your browser to see if it’s connected to an active website. If it is, the owner might not be interested in selling.
Find the Owner’s Contact Information: Use a WHOIS lookup tool to find the domain owner’s contact information. If the information is concealed by privacy protection, look for their email address on the site’s contact page or footer.
Determine the Value of the Domain: Research the market value of your desired domain by checking prices of similar domains on marketplaces like Flippa and Sedo.
Contact the Domain Owner: Send an email pitch explaining who you are, why you want the domain, and your initial offer.
Negotiate the Purchase: Discuss the terms, including price and transfer method. Consider using an escrow service for secure transactions.

Domain Name Pricing

Hostinger offers over 150 unique domain extensions, starting at $0.99 for a 12-month registration period. Please note that prices don’t include VAT.

If you’re planning to build a website, getting a hosting plan that includes a free domain name will save you money and time. Starting at $2.99/month, Hostinger’s hosting plans include all the essentials to establish an online presence—like a free one-year domain registration and a drag-and-drop website builder.

What to Consider When Buying a Domain Name

To select a good custom domain name for your web address, consider these best practices:

Make It Short and Memorable: Choose a catchy domain name that’s easy to read, type, and pronounce. Keep it between 6-14 characters to improve readability.
Check for Trademark Infringement: Ensure your domain name isn’t already taken to avoid legal issues and confusion with similar brands.
Think Future-Proof: Choose a name that can adapt to your business growth and avoid trendy phrases that may become outdated.

Check out our tutorial on choosing a domain name for more tips and common mistakes to avoid.

Conclusion

A domain name is essential for easy access to your website and plays a crucial role in your branding efforts. With thousands of domains registered daily, it’s crucial to buy the right domain name as soon as possible. Here’s a quick recap of the five steps to buy a domain name:

Find a credible domain registrar.
Run a domain name search.
Purchase your domain.
Verify domain name ownership.
Ensure domain privacy protection is enabled.

We hope this article helped you understand the domain name registration process and how to choose the right one for your website. If you have any questions, check out our FAQ section or leave a comment below.