How to Buy a Domain Name

This wikiHow teaches you how to buy a domain name for a website.

1

Go to a registration site.

  1. Image titled Buy a Domain Name Step 1
    Open a web browser and go to a site that registers domain names. Popular sites include:
    2. Advertisement
2

See if your domain name is available.

  1. Image titled Buy a Domain Name Step 3
    Search for the domain name you want to register. Registration sites typically have a search field on their home page. If the domain name isn't available, try an alternative.
    • Sometimes the name won't be available for one type of domain, such as .com, but it may be available with a .net, .biz, or .co, for example.
    • Certain suffixes are only available for certain types of organizations: .edu is reserved for educational institutions; .org is used for nonprofits, and .gov or .us are used for government sites.
    • Some services like GoDaddy let you put in a backorder request if a domain name is already taken. If the domain doesn't get renewed by its current owner, you can bid for it.[2]
3

Select the domain you want to buy.

  1. Image titled Buy a Domain Name Step 4
    Once you find an available name, proceed to purchase. You'll have several options for registering the domain.
    2. Advertisement
4

Choose a registration length.

  1. Image titled Buy a Domain Name Step 5
    Enter how many years you want to pay for. Domain names need to be renewed on a regular basis, so you'll need to decide the number of years for which you want to register your domain.
    • Typically, you can register a domain for up to 10 years at a time.
5

Browse optional services.

  1. Image titled Buy a Domain Name Step 6
    Select additional services that interest you. If you want to purchase additional services, such as web design, hosting, or extra email addresses, add them to your cart before you check out.
    2. Advertisement
6

Pay for your domain name and services.

  1. Image titled Buy a Domain Name Step 7
    Once your payment is complete, you will own that domain name. You can now start building your website or move your existing site to your new domain.

Expert Q&A

  • Question
    Can you get a domain without a registrar?
    Stan Kats
    Stan Kats
    Professional Technologist
    Stan Kats is a Professional Technologist and the COO and Chief Technologist for The STG IT Consulting Group in West Hollywood, California. Stan provides comprehensive technology solutions to businesses through managed IT services, and for individuals through his consumer service business, Stan's Tech Garage. Stan holds a BA in International Relations from The University of Southern California. He began his career working in the Fortune 500 IT world. Stan founded his companies to offer an enterprise-level of expertise for small businesses and individuals.
    Stan Kats
    Stan Kats
    Professional Technologist
    Expert Answer
    Possibly, as long as the old domain owner is ready to sell. You can reach them through a broker, who will handle the process for a fee.
  • Question
    Is the domain name bouncing-ball.ca available?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Using domains.google.com you can see if it is available by typing it into the search field provided to you.
Advertisement

You Might Also Like

Login to a Website as an Admin
How to
Login to a Website as an Admin
Create a Website Using Google Sites
How to
Create a Website Using Google Sites
Change Text Color in HTMLHow to Change Text Color in HTML and CSS
Add Fun Games to Your Web Site for Free
How to
Add Fun Games to Your Web Site for Free
Install XAMPP for Windows
How to
Install XAMPP for Windows
Design a WebsiteHow to Design a Website: Ideas, Layout, Optimization, & More
Make a Website Like the 90sHow to Design a Retro 90s Style Website or Blog
Host Your Own Website for Free
How to
Host Your Own Website for Free
Create Your First Website
How to
Create Your First Website
Insert Buttons in an HTML Website
How to
Insert Buttons in an HTML Website
Put Video on a Web Page
How to
Put Video on a Web Page
Host Multiple Websites on a Single Web Hosting Account
How to
Host Multiple Websites on a Single Web Hosting Account
Be Your Own Certificate Authority
How to
Be Your Own Certificate Authority
Sell a Domain Name
How to
Sell a Domain Name
Advertisement

References

  1. ↑ Stan Kats. Cybersecurity Expert. Expert Interview. 16 July 2021.
  2. ↑ Stan Kats. Cybersecurity Expert. Expert Interview. 16 July 2021.

About This Article

Stan Kats
Co-authored by:
Stan Kats
Professional Technologist
This article was co-authored by Stan Kats. Stan Kats is a Professional Technologist and the COO and Chief Technologist for The STG IT Consulting Group in West Hollywood, California. Stan provides comprehensive technology solutions to businesses through managed IT services, and for individuals through his consumer service business, Stan's Tech Garage. Stan holds a BA in International Relations from The University of Southern California. He began his career working in the Fortune 500 IT world. Stan founded his companies to offer an enterprise-level of expertise for small businesses and individuals. This article has been viewed 103,648 times.
How helpful is this?
Co-authors: 10
Updated: June 3, 2022
Views: 103,648
Categories: Creating and Enhancing a Website
Article SummaryX

1. Visit a registrar like GoDaddy or Google Domains.
2. Search for an available domain.
3. Select the domain.
4. Choose your time and privacy preferences.
5. Choose additional service.
6. Process your payment.

Did this summary help you?
Advertisement