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Looking for the top domain registrars of 2023? Domain registrars play a vital role in registering and maintaining domain names for websites worldwide.
Selecting a trustworthy domain registrar is crucial since there are numerous deceptive practices. This article will guide you on selecting the best domain registrar by comparing their advantages and disadvantages.
Summary:
If you want our expert pick, we recommend Domain.com for buying a domain name or Bluehost if you're building a website since they offer a free domain name. In this guide, you will learn about domain name registrars, what they do, how to choose the right one, things to watch out for, the best domain name registrars, and frequently asked questions.
A domain name registrar is a company that facilitates the purchase and registration of domain names. ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers), a non-profit organization responsible for managing domain names, accredits all domain name registrars.
Domain names simplify the use of the internet for everyone. Without domain names, users would need to enter long strings of numbers called IP addresses to access websites. Domain names solve this problem by enabling websites to choose easy-to-remember addresses using words, such as wpbeginner.com or google.com.
To gain a more comprehensive understanding of domain names and their functionality, refer to our beginner's guide on what a domain name is and how it works.
ICANN authorizes companies to become accredited domain registrars, which enables them to compete with each other in selling domain name licenses. This competition allows for better service and tools for customers when purchasing domain names.
All domain name information is stored in a centralized database called the registry. To have a domain name recognized, it must be added to the database along with all relevant information.
A domain name registrar is authorized by ICANN to make changes to a domain name's information in the database on behalf of the owner. They also provide user-friendly tools for making those changes via a web browser.
With that in mind, let's examine how to select the best domain registrar for your website address easily.
How to Choose The Right Domain Registrar
It's important to note that not all domain registrars have permission to sell all domain name extensions. Some registrars may only offer country-specific extensions, such as .io, .in, or .ly.
In addition to domain name registration, each registrar may offer a range of services. Some may provide discounted domain names as a promotional offer, while others may offer free add-ons to entice customers.
When selecting the best domain name registrar, we consider the following four criteria:
1. Pricing and Registration Period
The initial aspect to consider when choosing a domain registrar is the domain name prices. Although some registrars may offer low prices for the first year of registration, their renewal prices may be significantly higher.
You can register a domain name for a minimum of one year. However, some companies may require a longer registration period, such as a minimum of two years. You can register a domain name for up to ten years at a time.
If you are purchasing a new domain name, we suggest registering it for one year. You can enable automatic renewal to prevent your domain from expiring.
It is also necessary to examine any additional charges for domain transfers, renewals, and other expenses.
2. Domain Transfers
It is possible to transfer domain names from one registrar to another. While it's not always necessary to do so, transferring can be a helpful option if you're dissatisfied with your current registrar.
However, keep in mind that ICANN has a mandatory 60-day waiting period before a domain name can be transferred. Once this period has passed, you're free to transfer your domain to a different registrar.
Most registrars offer easy domain transfers at no additional cost. However, some registrars may make the process more difficult or charge a fee to remove domain locks.
It's always a good idea to review a registrar's domain transfer policy before purchasing a domain name to ensure a smooth transfer process.
3. Domain Expiration Policies
When you register a domain name, it's for a specific duration, and you have the option to renew it before it expires. However, if you forget to renew it, the domain will expire, and it will become available for anyone to register.
For businesses, this could result in someone taking over their domain name, which is why it's crucial to set up auto-renewals for your domain name to prevent this from happening.
Even if you've enabled automatic renewal, it's wise to review your domain registrar's expiration policy. Some registrars may offer a grace period after the expiration date, allowing you to renew your expired domain name.
On the other hand, poor domain registration services may immediately auction your expired domain to the highest bidder.
We've heard numerous stories of business owners losing their domain names because their credit cards expired, and their registrar didn't have a grace period. That's why it's crucial to choose the right domain name registrar to avoid such issues.
4. Add-on Services
In addition to checking a domain registrar's expiration policy, it's also important to review the other services they offer. Even if you don't require them at the moment, it's worth knowing that they're available.
These additional services may include domain privacy, domain parking, extended expiration protection, and more. Some domain registrars may also provide services like WordPress hosting, email hosting, website builders, email marketing, and other related services.
Top 3 Things to Watch Out for When Choosing a Domain Name Registrar
When selecting a domain name registrar, it's important to be cautious of attractive offers from companies due to the competition in the industry. These offers may appear appealing at first, but there could be downsides that you might not notice right away. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
Hidden fees: Some registrars may lure you in with low registration fees, but then charge extra fees for add-on services, domain transfers, or domain renewal.
Poor customer support: Inexpensive registrars may not offer reliable customer support, which can make it challenging to get assistance if you encounter any problems.
Limited domain management tools: Less expensive registrars may offer fewer domain management tools than others, which can make it difficult to manage your domains.
Unreliable servers: Some registrars may have unreliable servers, resulting in frequent downtime, slow loading times, or security breaches.
Poor reputation: Some companies may have a poor reputation for customer service, data security, or domain transfer policies, which can cause problems down the line.
It's essential to research a registrar thoroughly before registering your domain name to avoid any issues that may arise in the future.
1. Add-on Pricing
It's worth noting that some domain name registrars may automatically pre-select add-on services when you purchase a domain name. If you don't deselect these options, it can significantly increase your bill. A .com domain name typically costs no more than $14.99 per year, so if you're being charged more, it's a cause for concern.
When purchasing a domain name, it's essential to pay attention to the checkout page and uncheck any add-on registrar services or upsells that you don't need, such as WHOIS Guard or site builder. Additionally, it's always a good idea to double-check the total amount you are charged in your credit card statements to ensure that you're not overcharged.
2. Bad User Experience
To retain customers, most domain registrars prioritize user-friendly websites. However, a few registrars seem to do the opposite, making it cumbersome to modify your domain name settings, such as the nameservers. If you plan to transfer your domain to a new host or registrar, this could pose a challenge.
To avoid such difficulties, you can search for reviews of different domain registrars online. However, bear in mind that typically, only unhappy customers leave reviews. Thus, it's crucial to read the reviews carefully to get a better understanding of each registrar's strengths and weaknesses.
3. Hidden Fees
When choosing a domain registrar, it's crucial to be aware of any hidden costs and fees. For instance, some registrars may offer special deals for first-time domain registration, but the renewal cost could be significantly higher.
Moreover, while most reputable registrars allow you to transfer your domain to another company effortlessly, some may charge you an extra fee for the service.
With that said, let's explore some of the top domain name registrars and compare their features and offerings.
Best Domain Registrars to Buy a Domain Name
1. Domain.com
Established in the year 2000, Domain.com is recognized as one of the most well-liked domain name registrars globally. They facilitate registration of all top-level domain name extensions (TLDs) and a variety of country code top-level domains (ccTLDs) as well.
Domain.com boasts of a speedy domain search tool that enables you to carry out comprehensive research on domain names. Their search also provides you with a list of premium domains available.
You can access all the domain management tools that a top domain registrar would provide, such as private registration, whois privacy protection, bulk registration, free whois, easy transfers, easy DNS management, email forwarding, email account, and several other additional services. Additionally, if you desire, you can purchase web hosting from them.
If you have any queries, you can seek assistance from their efficient customer support team, which is available via phone support, live chat or email. They also offer a vast knowledge base with valuable guides.
As a gesture of goodwill, Domain.com is offering a 25% discount on domain products exclusively for WPBeginner readers. You can avail of the discount either by clicking on the link from our website or using our domain.com coupon code: nameboy
We highly recommend Domain.com if you solely require domain name registration services, but if you intend to launch a blog or website, then option #2 might be more suitable for you, as you can obtain a free domain name.
2. Bluehost
Bluehost, one of the most prominent hosting companies worldwide, is also an official WordPress hosting partner. Along with their web hosting service, they provide domain name registration.
As a WPBeginner user, you can avail of our Bluehost coupon code, which offers you a free domain name, a free SSL certificate, and a discount on web hosting, making it an excellent deal for anyone seeking to create a new website.
Essentially, you can start your website for just $2.75 per month and also receive a free domain name.
For many of our small websites, we rely on Bluehost as our web hosting provider. It offers an intuitive interface for beginners, comes with pre-installed WordPress, and their chat support is highly helpful when required.
Moreover, Bluehost caters to the needs of website owners by providing several features, including the option to add unlimited subdomains, malware protection for websites, professional emails through G Suite (Google Workspace), and more.
In case you require any assistance, you can always reach out to them via their live chat support or call their 24/7 phone number.
3. Hostinger
Hostinger is a rapidly expanding web hosting company and domain registrar, specifically catering to small businesses. They offer a free domain name upon the purchase of any web hosting plan through their website.
In addition to a free domain name, you gain access to a free business email address, an SSL certificate for added website security, and other valuable business growth tools.
You can swiftly create your website with Hostinger using either WordPress or their in-house website builder, with just a few clicks.
Our team of experts has conducted a comprehensive Hostinger review, and they have determined that Hostinger offers some of the fastest WordPress hosting and support in the industry.
To enjoy exclusive savings, don't forget to use WPBeginner's Hostinger coupon.
4. Network Solutions
Network Solutions is a leading domain registrar with over 7 million domains registered on their platform. They offer a wide range of domain extensions, including popular ones such as .com, .net, .org, .biz, .info, and many other niche TLDs.
Given their status as a major domain registrar, Network Solutions provides various services such as web hosting, website builder, website security tools, business email addresses, online marketing, SEO services, and IT support. As a result, for small businesses, they can serve as a one-stop-shop for their online presence.
Their domain name search tool enables you to quickly find available domains, including premium domains. The platform also includes all of the domain features you would anticipate, such as DNS management, private registration, WHOIS privacy, and so on.
If you use our link from their site and enter our Network Solutions coupon code "WPBEGINNER" during checkout, you can get a 25% discount on domain names.
It is also worth noting that Network Solutions offers a free domain when you purchase their WordPress hosting plans or other website/eCommerce hosting packages.
5. GoDaddy
GoDaddy is a leading domain registration company that has been in the industry for a long time, serving more than 20 million customers and managing over 84 million domain names. They offer an extensive range of domain extensions at competitive prices, and you may be eligible for a significant discount on the first year of registration.
Professionals can take advantage of GoDaddy's premium Domain Club membership, which provides discounted domain pricing, making it an excellent choice for those managing numerous domain names.
GoDaddy's domain management interface is user-friendly and robust, allowing you to transfer your domain name, change name servers, update contact information, manage bulk domain renewals, and customize various other domain settings with ease.
Aside from domain registration, GoDaddy also offers a suite of web services such as hosting, website building, and email marketing.
6. Namecheap
Namecheap is a popular domain registrar that provides a robust domain search tool to assist in finding the right domain name. If the preferred domain name is unavailable, the tool makes suggestions. Additionally, they offer add-on services such as domain privacy and premium DNS. However, their domain management area is not as user-friendly as GoDaddy's new interface, despite being clean.
One notable advantage of Namecheap is that they provide free whois privacy with every domain purchase. However, we stopped using Namecheap for our primary domains and transferred them to other providers because we had difficulties logging into their domain management panel. We've also heard numerous complaints about their managed WordPress hosting plan, which does not support popular plugins like AIOSEO, and their platform is not yet ready for scaling, despite what their support may suggest.
7. DreamHost
DreamHost is a well-known web hosting service provider and domain name registrar that is currently providing our readers with an exclusive offer. When signing up for their Shared Unlimited hosting plan, you will receive a free domain name with domain privacy included.
Alternatively, you can register a domain name without purchasing hosting through DreamHost for a yearly fee of $8.99, which also includes free private registration.
With over 400 top-level domains (TLDs) available, DreamHost offers all the necessary domain management tools expected from a reputable domain provider.
Aside from shared hosting, DreamHost also provides a managed WordPress hosting service called DreamPress, which is an excellent option for larger websites.
Bonus: HostGator
HostGator is a well-known provider that offers website owners a one-stop-shop for domain names and shared website hosting. They have a wide range of extensions available, domain privacy, and straightforward DNS management tools.
Their domain search tool is user-friendly and enables you to quickly locate a suitable domain name for your business. The domain management area is beginner-friendly, and transferring domains is made simple with thorough documentation.
In addition to domain name and hosting services, HostGator has recently introduced a drag-and-drop website builder called Gator. They offer a free domain name and hosting with all of their website builder plans.
During the early days of WPBeginner, HostGator was used as their web host. They were on HostGator's VPS hosting plans until their website grew larger, and they had to switch to the Google Cloud platform.
Bonus: BuyDomains – Premium Domain Regiration
BuyDomains provides a platform where you can search for premium domain names that match your desired search terms. Premium domain names are already registered but are available for sale from third-party sellers. These domains are often more memorable, shorter, and brandable, which is why they can be more expensive.
If you are unable to locate a suitable domain name and have the necessary budget, BuyDomains can help you search for a premium domain name.
Final Thoughts – Best Domain Registrar
It's important to note that there are numerous domain registrars and resellers in the market that we have not included in our list, such as Hover, Google Domains, Tucows, 1&1 Ionos, Shopify, eNom, Name.com, Namesilo, Porkbun, and more. The reason for this is that they all primarily offer the same services, and we aim to simplify the process for our users by recommending the best and most secure domain registrar without overwhelming them with too many options.
In our opinion, Domain.com is the best domain registrar on the market for both small and large businesses due to their reasonable pricing and comprehensive features.
If you're planning to build a website, Bluehost and Hostinger both offer a free domain name when you sign up for their web hosting services. These companies are among the best web hosting providers globally and provide step-by-step website setup for a variety of website types, including real estate, small business sites, online stores, and more.
Frequently Asked Questions About Domain Name Registrars
We have assisted more than 670,000 users in selecting the optimal domain registrar, resulting in the provision of answers to numerous inquiries. Here are some of the most commonly asked questions regarding domain name registrars and their corresponding answers.
Does it matter which domain registrar I use?
Certainly, choosing the right domain registrar is crucial because not all registrars are the same. They may differ in terms of domain extensions, features, pricing, and more. However, it is especially important to select a registrar with a reliable network infrastructure and excellent support.
For most business owners, their registrar is responsible for managing DNS, which directs users to their website. If the registrar experiences network problems, users won't be able to reach the website even if the hosting server is operational.
Additionally, it's essential to choose a registrar with a good reputation and dependable support, as this can be critical in times of crisis.
To this end, we recommend Domain.com, Bluehost, or GoDaddy as they have solid infrastructure and security.
We also advise against registrars like NameBright, who employ deceptive tactics to prevent users from transferring their domains away.
Which is the cheapest domain registrar?
If you're looking for the most affordable option, nothing beats free. That's why Bluehost or Hostinger are the cheapest domain registrars since they offer a complimentary domain name with web hosting.
Moreover, our Domain.com coupon code provides WPBeginner users with additional savings, which makes the prices highly appealing.
So what is a reasonable price for a domain name? The cost of a domain name will vary depending on the type of extension and registrar you select, but generally speaking, a typical domain name should cost between $9 and $14.99 per year.
For a more detailed breakdown of domain name costs and how to evaluate premium domain value, please refer to our comprehensive guide.
Here's a quick overview of the cost of a new domain registration with various registrars:
Bluehost: Free domain with hosting for $2.75/month
Hostinger: Free domain with hosting for $2.69/month
Domain.com: $7.45 for .com domain names with our coupon code
Network Solutions: $7.49 for .com with our coupon code, or free with their web hosting package.
HostGator: Free domain with hosting for $2.64/month
GoDaddy: $11.99
DreamHost: Free domain with hosting for $2.59/month
Can I buy a domain name forever (permanently)?
It is not possible to purchase a domain name permanently as domain name registration is carried out on a yearly basis. However, it is possible to pre-pay for up to 10 years, which ensures that you can retain ownership of the domain name for a decade.
To maintain permanent ownership of the domain name, you must continue paying the annual renewal fee, and it cannot be taken away from you by anyone else.
Unstoppable domains offers NFT domains for crypto wallets, which can be purchased permanently.
Currently, these Web3 domains are not compatible with all web browsers, but we anticipate that with the advancement of blockchain technology, businesses will eventually be able to own their domains indefinitely, even with major domain registrars.
Why is domain renewal more expensive?
Frequently, domain registrars provide significant discounts on the first year's domain registration fee, while subsequent renewals are charged at the regular price.
To optimize your savings, we recommend pre-paying the registration fee for 2-3 years, which will allow you to secure your domain registration discount.
Who is the safest domain registrar?
All domain registrars are required to comply with ICANN policies, making them technically safe. However, there are additional measures you can take to safeguard your domain name from theft.
One such measure is to activate Domain Lock, which restricts unauthorized domain transfers.
Moreover, it is important to choose a domain registrar that provides two-factor authentication and robust security measures.
In our experience, both Bluehost and GoDaddy are reputable and secure domain registrars.
For enterprise solutions, Cloudflare Domains and MarkMonitor are trusted by many businesses for their safety and reliability.
Can someone steal my domain name?
Domain name theft, also known as domain hijacking, is a prevalent crime that can have disastrous consequences for small business owners. It is crucial to choose a reputable domain registrar to mitigate this risk.
Hackers can steal your domain name by gaining access to your domain registrar account. To prevent this, it is essential to use a strong password and set up two-factor authentication.
In addition, we advise small business owners to use an identity theft protection service that provides near-real-time alerts of identity fraud. Domain theft, domain hijacking, and domain ransomware are frequently the result of another hack, making this a crucial step in safeguarding your business.
Can I use multiple domain registrars?
Certainly, you have the option of using multiple domain registrars. We have domains registered with various registrars including Domain.com, Bluehost, GoDaddy, NameCheap, Name.com, and others.
This is primarily because we buy and sell domains, and it is more convenient to transfer domains from one account to another within the same registrar.
When transferring domains to a different registrar, the process can take up to seven days.
Who determines if a domain is premium?
Premium domains are typically owned by existing businesses or entrepreneurs who set their own prices for the domain. In some cases, domain registries may withhold certain premium domains and only release them at a premium price, which is determined by their sales team. One such example is our acquisition of the premium domain am.co, which is a two-letter domain that we acquired for our company, Awesome Motive.
Which are the top 3 best domain registrars in your opinion?
Here are our top three choices for the best domain name registrar:
Domain.com - This is the best domain registrar overall. As a bonus, we have negotiated special pricing for our readers.
Bluehost - If you're looking for web hosting as well as a domain registrar, then Bluehost is the best choice. They offer a free domain name along with their hosting plans.
Hostinger - This is the best domain registrar if you're on a tight budget. They offer a free domain name with their hosting plans, and their web hosting prices are very affordable.
We understand that people still have questions even after reading this guide, but we assure you that this information is not a joke. We genuinely want to help you make the best choice for your business.
We hope that this article has been helpful in guiding you towards the best domain registrar for your needs. If you're interested, we also have guides on how to get a free business email address and how to get a free business phone number for your website.
Lastly, if you enjoyed this article, please consider subscribing to our YouTube channel for WordPress video tutorials, and following us on Twitter and Facebook.
