How to Choose a Domain Registrar
You’ve found the perfect boutique name, now what? It’s time to register your domain name, set up your website, and lock down all social media handles. With numerous domain registrars available it can be difficult to know which to choose. We have provided some pros and cons of the most popular domain registrars out there.
Before you begin, it is essential to check that the domain you are interested in is available. To verify you can first search for the domain in your web browser. If it directs you back to a domain registrar/web hosting service and lists the price, then you are in the clear. If you are directed to a website, then you may have to rethink the name (stay tuned for How to Choose Your Boutique Name coming soon).
Another way to check is to go directly to a domain registrar such as godaddy.com and search for the domain. If the name is unavailable, it might suggest a few similar domain names to choose. If you were searching for the domain iloveclothing.com and this particular domain were unavailable, the domain registrar might suggest purchasing iloveclothing.net, iloveclothing.org, iloveclothing.us, etc. I would advise against choosing one of these alternatives as it may confuse your customers who may search for iloveclothing.com when they go to browse your website and pull up another store or website. The domain registrar will likely suggest some additional alternatives such as ilovecuteclothing.com or ilovefashionclothing.com that you could consider. The price will be listed next to the available domain name, and you can compare prices at various domain registrars before purchasing the domain.
Top Domain Registrars
Go Daddy
- Numerous add-on services available (this may lead to up selling at checkout)
- Great customer service
- Higher prices
Hover
- Free privacy included in purchase
- Reasonable pricing
- Minimal up selling during checkout
- Limited customer service times
Domains.Google
- Simplified and straightforward to use
- Higher prices
- Privacy included
- Great customer service
- Minimal up selling
Dynadot
- Low prices
- Great search tool
- Numerous freebies included
Namecheap
- Low prices
- Great customer service
- Free privacy
Why would I benefit from privacy? Should I purchase it?
Domain privacy otherwise known as WHOIS protection allows the individual who registered for the domain’s personal information to be hidden from the public WHOIS database. When purchased (if not included) your name, address, email address, phone number, and business name will remain anonymous. Generic personal information will be randomly displayed instead. If the privacy is not protected, anyone can access your personal information from the WHOIS database.
For more information, please visit:
https://www.techradar.com/news/best-domain-name-registrar
https://blog.asmallorange.com/2012/09/domain-privacy-protection-is-it-worth-it/