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How to Choose the Best Domain Registrar in 2024 (Compared)

Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on WPBeginner. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations. Learn more about Editorial Process.

Finding the best domain registrar is crucial for your website’s success. Domain registrars are companies that register and manage domain names for websites worldwide.

Selecting the right registrar is important because it can impact your website’s security and functionality. There are many options available, and some may have hidden fees or poor customer service.

This article will help you choose the best domain registrar by comparing their pros and cons. We’ll provide you with the information needed to make a safe and informed decision.

By the end, you’ll know how to pick a registrar that suits your needs and helps you avoid common pitfalls.

How to choose the best domain registrar

Quick Summary: Want to skip the reading and get our expert pick? In our research, the best domain registrar is either Domain.com if you’re just buying a domain name or Bluehost if you are looking to build a website because they’ll give you a domain name for free.

For those of you who prefer thorough research, here is a quick overview of things you will learn in this guide:

What Is a Domain Name Registrar?

A domain name registrar is a company that allows you to purchase and register domain names. All domain name registrars are accredited by ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers), a non-profit organization responsible for managing domain names.

Domain names make the internet easy to use for everyone. Without domain names, you’d have to enter long strings of numbers called IP addresses to visit websites.

Domain names solve this problem by allowing websites to choose addresses using easy-to-remember words, for example, wpbeginner.com or google.com.

How domains work

To learn more, see our beginner’s guide on what is a domain name and how does it work?

To make domain names widely available, ICANN allows companies to apply for accreditation and to become domain registrars.

These ICANN-accredited companies then compete with each other to sell domain name licenses, which allows you to get better service, functionality, and tools when you purchase your domain name.

What Do Domain Registrars Really Do?

All domain name records are stored in a centralized database called a registry. For a domain name to be recognized, it must be added to that database with all related information about it.

A domain name registrar is given permission by ICANN to make changes to your domain name’s information in the database on your behalf. A domain name registrar also provides easy-to-use tools to make those changes using your web browser.

That said, let’s examine how to easily choose the best domain registrar for your website address.

How to Choose the Right Domain Registrar

Not all domain registrars have the license to sell all domain name extensions. For example, some domain registrars can only sell domain names with country-specific extensions (like .io, .in, or .ly).

Each domain registrar may offer different services along with the domain name registration. Some registrars may offer cheap domains as their promotional offer, while others may give free add-ons to attract customers.

When choosing the best domain name registrar, we looked at the following four criteria:

1. Pricing and Registration Period

The first thing you want to check is the domain name prices. For example, some domain registrars may offer low prices upfront for the first year of registration, but their renewal prices can be different and significantly higher.

You can register a domain name for a minimum period of 1 year. However, some companies may require a higher registration period, like 2 years minimum. You can register a domain name for up to 10 years at a time.

If you are buying a new web address, then we recommend registering your domain name for one year. You can turn on automatic renewal so that your domain does not expire.

You also need to check for any additional fees for domain transfers, renewal, and other charges.

2. Domain Transfers

Domain names can be moved from one domain registrar to another. Normally, you won’t need to transfer your domain name right away, but if you are unhappy with your domain registrar, then this option should be easily available.

The first thing you need to keep in mind is that you cannot transfer a domain name during the first 60 days of the registration. ICANN decides this initial period. After that, you are allowed to move it to any other registrar that you want.

Most domain registrars make it easy to transfer domain names without any extra fee. However, some may try to make it complicated or charge an extra fee to remove the domain lock.

Make sure that you review the domain transfer policy before you buy a domain name from a registrar.

3. Domain Expiration Policies

Domain names are registered for a specific duration. You can renew your domain registration before its expiration date. However, if you forgot to renew your domain name, then it expires, and anyone can register it.

For businesses, this means someone can take over their domain name. To make sure that this doesn’t happen, you can set up auto-renewals for your domain name.

Even if you use the automatic renewal feature, it is a good idea to check your domain registrar’s expiration policy. Some domain registrars offer a grace period even after the expiration. This grace period allows you to renew your expired domain name.

On the other hand, bad domain registration services will immediately auction your expired domain to the highest bidder.

We have heard dozens of horror stories of business owners losing their domain names because their credit cards expired and their registrar did not have a grace period. This is one of the many reasons why it’s crucial to choose the right domain name registrar.

4. Add-on Services

You may also want to review what other services a domain registrar offers. While you may not need these services right now, it is good to know that they have them.

These add-on services may include domain privacy, domain parking, extended expiration protection, and more.

Some domain registrars may even sell WordPress hosting services, email hosting services, website builders, email marketing services, and more.

Top 3 Things to Watch Out for When Choosing a Domain Name Registrar

Due to the competition in the domain registration business, you will come across companies with very attractive offers. While these offers may look good, there may be some downsides that you may not notice right away.

Here are a few things to watch out for when choosing a domain name registrar.

1. Add-on Pricing

Some domain name registrars can automatically pre-check add-on services when you purchase a domain name. If you don’t uncheck those options, then these will increase your bill significantly.

Typically a .com domain name should not cost you more than $14.99 / year. If it does, then it should raise a red flag.

You must pay attention to the checkout page and uncheck any add-on registrar services or upsells that you don’t need, like WHOIS Guard, site builder, security features, and so on. On top of that, it’s always a good idea to double-check the total amount you are charged in your credit card statements.

2. Bad User Experience

Most domain registrars try to make their websites easy to use so they can keep you as a customer. However, some domain registrars do the exact opposite.

This will make it difficult to change your domain name settings, like nameservers. You will need to do that if you want to transfer a domain to a new host or a new domain registrar.

The easiest way to look for this is by searching for domain registrar’s online reviews. Keep in mind that very few happy customers leave online reviews, so it’s important to read the reviews thoroughly.

3. Hidden Fees

You may also need to look for hidden costs and fees when choosing a domain registrar.

Some domain registrars may have special offers for cheaper domains for first-time registrations. Most beginners don’t realize it, but the renewal costs of the domain are often quite different and even higher.

All good domain registrars make it easy to transfer your domain name to a different company and have a transparent pricing policy. However, some will put an additional fee.

That being said, let’s look at some of the best domain name registrars and how they compare against each other.

Best Domain Registrars to Buy a Domain Name

Choosing the right domain registrar saves you from possible future problems. It helps you protect your brand name and makes it easy to move your website to a new host or service provider.

Based on the criteria we discussed earlier, these are the top domain registrars to buy your domain name from.

1. Domain.com

Domain.com - Website Domains, Hosting, and Website Builder

Started in 2000, Domain.com is one of the most popular domain name registrars on the planet. They allow you to register all top-level domain name extensions (TLDs) and even dozens of country code top-level domains (ccTLDs).

Domain.com has a quick domain search tool that you can use for your domain name research. Their search also shows you premium domains as well.

You get access to all domain management tools that you would expect from a top domain registrar, including private registration, whois privacy protection, free whois, bulk registration, easy transfers, easy DNS management, email account, email forwarding, and other additional services. You can even purchase web hosting from them if you like.

If you have any questions, then you can contact their helpful customer support team via phone support, live chat, or email. They also have an extensive knowledge base with helpful guides.

Domain.com is offering WPBeginner readers a 25% discount on domain products. All you have to do is either click on the link from our website or use our Domain.com coupon code: nameboy

If you only need to register a domain name without web hosting, then we highly recommend Domain.com. However, if you are looking to start a blog or website, then option #2 might be better for you because you can get a free domain name.

2. Bluehost

Bluehost

Bluehost is one of the largest hosting companies in the world, and they are an official WordPress hosting partner. As part of their web hosting service, they also offer domain name registration.

With our Bluehost coupon code, WPBeginner users can get a free domain name, a free SSL certificate, and a discount on web hosting, which is a perfect deal for anyone looking to make a new website.

Basically, you can get started for $1.99 per month and get a free new domain name.

We use Bluehost as our web hosting provider for several of our small websites. Their interface is intuitive for beginners, they have pre-installed WordPress, and their chat support is very helpful when needed.

They also have many features that website owners need, such as the ability to add unlimited subdomains, malware protection for websites, professional emails through Google Workspace (formerly Gsuite), SEO tools to improve your ranking, and more.

If you need help with anything, you can always contact them through live chat support or call their 24/7 phone number.

3. Hostinger

Hostinger

Hostinger is a fast-growing domain registrar and web hosting company for small businesses. They offer a free domain name with the purchase of any web hosting plan on their website.

Aside from a free domain name, you also get access to a free business email address, a free SSL certificate to make your website secure, and other business growth tools.

You can use Hostinger to quickly create your website in just a few clicks by either using WordPress or their own website builder.

Our expert team did a detailed Hostinger review and found them to offer among the fastest WordPress hosting and support.

Don’t forget to use WPBeginner’s Hostinger coupon to access exclusive savings.

4. Network Solutions

Network Solutions

Network Solutions is one of the largest domain registrars on the planet, with over 7 million domains registered. You can register a wide variety of domain extensions, including the popular .com, .net, .org, .biz, .info, and basically all other niche TLDs.

Since Network Solutions is one of the biggest domain registrars, their services include web hosting, a website builder, website security tools, a business email address, online marketing, SEO services, and even IT support.

Basically, as a small business, they can be your one-stop shop for your online web presence.

You can get started by using their domain name search tool to quickly see available domains. They also show you premium domains in their results as well.

Their platform comes with all the domain features that you’d expect, such as DNS management, private registration, WHOIS privacy, etc.

Network Solutions is offering our readers a 25% discount on domain names. You will need to use our link from their site and our Network Solutions coupon code: WPBEGINNER during the checkout.

Note: the promo coupon code is case-sensitive and all uppercase.

You can also get a free domain from Network Solutions when you purchase their WordPress hosting plans or other website / eCommerce hosting packages.

5. GoDaddy

GoDaddy

GoDaddy is one of the oldest and most popular domain registration companies. They manage more than 84 million domain names for over 20 million customers.

They offer a wide variety of popular domain name extensions to choose from. They offer competitive pricing, and you may even get a significant discount on the first year of your domain registration.

For professionals, GoDaddy offers a premium Domain club membership that offers discounted domain pricing. This makes sense if you are registering or managing hundreds of domain names.

GoDaddy has a powerful, easy-to-use domain management interface that allows you to transfer your domain name, change name servers, update contact information, manage bulk domain renewals, and customize various other domain settings.

GoDaddy also has a suite of other web services, including hosting, website builder, email marketing, and more.

Related: See the best GoDaddy alternatives that are cheaper and more reliable.

6. Namecheap

Namecheap

Namecheap is another top domain registrar. They have a powerful domain search tool that helps you find the right domain name and makes suggestions when your preferred domain name is not available.

They also offer domain add-on services like domain privacy and premium DNS. Their domain management area is clean, but it’s not as user-friendly as GoDaddy’s new interface.

One nice thing about Namecheap is that they offer free whois privacy with all their domain purchases.

We used to use Namecheap but ended up transferring our main domains to other providers because we simply had too many issues logging in to their domain management panel.

Also, we’ve heard way too many complaints about their managed WordPress hosting plan because it doesn’t support popular plugins like AIOSEO, and the platform isn’t ready for scale despite what their support tells you.

7. DreamHost

DreamHost

DreamHost is another popular domain name registrar and web hosting service provider. They are offering our readers a free domain name with domain privacy included for anyone signing up for their Shared Unlimited hosting plan.

You can also register a domain name without buying hosting through them for $8.99 / year, which also includes free private registration.

DreamHost offers 400+ TLDs and comes with all the domain management tools that you can expect from a large domain provider like DreamHost.

Aside from shared hosting, Dreamhost also offers managed WordPress hosting called DreamPress, which is great for larger websites.

Bonus: HostGator

HostGator

HostGator is another popular company offering website owners a one-stop shop for domain names and shared website hosting. They provide a nice selection of extensions, domain privacy, and easy-to-use DNS management tools.

They have an easy-to-use domain search tool that helps you quickly find a suitable domain name for your business. Their domain management area is beginner-friendly and well-documented, which makes it easy to transfer domains if you need to.

Aside from domain name and hosting, they have also introduced a brand new drag-and-drop website builder called Gator. They are offering a free domain name and hosting with all of their website builder plans.

In the early days of WPBeginner, we used HostGator as our web host. We were on their VPS hosting plans until our website got much larger, so we had to switch to the Google Cloud platform.

Bonus: BuyDomains – Premium Domain Regiration

BuyDomains

BuyDomains allows you to search for premium domain names matching your search terms. Premium domain names are domain names that are already registered but are available for sale from a third party. These domains are often more memorable, shorter, and brandable, which is why they are more expensive.

If you cannot find a suitable domain name and you have the budget, then you can use BuyDomains to search for a premium domain name.

What Is the Best Domain Registrar?

There are hundreds of other domain registrars and resellers in the market that we have not included in the list, including Hover, Google Domains, Tucows, 1&1 Ionos, Shopify, eNom, Name.com, Namesilo, Porkbun, and more.

The reason is that they all primarily offer the same services, and we want to make it easy for our users to pick the best and most secure domain registrar without causing choice paralysis.

In our opinion, Domain.com is the best domain registrar on the market for small and large businesses. They offer the most reasonable pricing and have all the features.

If you are looking to build a website, then you can get a free domain name from both Bluehost and Hostinger when you sign up for their web hosting.

They are among the best web hosting companies on the planet, and they also offer step-by-step website setups for any type of website, including real estate, small business sites, online stores, and more.

Frequently Asked Questions About Domain Name Registrars

Having helped millions of users pick the best domain registrar, we have answered many questions. Here are some answers to the most frequently asked questions about domain name registrars and the domain registration process.

Does it matter which domain registrar I use?

Yes, it does because not all domain registrars are created equal. They may have different domain name extensions, features, prices, etc. Above all, though, you want to choose a domain registrar that has good support and offers a reliable network infrastructure.

Most business owners rely on their domain registrars for DNS, which basically helps route users to your website. If your domain registrar has network issues, then even if your web hosting server is online, your users will not be able to reach your website.

Furthermore, you want to ensure that domain registrars have good support and reputation because that comes in handy in case of emergencies.

This is why we recommend using Domain.com, Bluehost, or GoDaddy because they all have reliable infrastructure and security.

Also, we strongly recommend avoiding domain registrars like NameBright, who use deceptive business practices to lock users in from transferring domains away.

Which is the cheapest domain registrar?

When it comes to price, nothing beats free. So the cheapest domain registrar is Bluehost or Hostinger since they offer you a free domain name with web hosting.

With that said, WPBeginner users can use our Domain.com coupon code to get additional savings on Domain.com, which makes the prices very attractive.

What is a reasonable price for a domain name?

Domain name prices will vary based on the type of domain extension and registrar you choose, but a typical domain should cost between $9 and $14.99 per year.

We have a detailed guide discussing the costs of a domain name and how to evaluate premium domain value.

But as a quick guide, here is how much a new domain registration costs with different registrars:

  • Bluehost – Free domain with hosting for $1.99 / month
  • Hostinger – Free 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 $2.52 / month
  • GoDaddy – $11.99
  • DreamHost – Free domain with hosting for $2.59 / month

Can I buy a domain name forever (permanently)?

No, you cannot buy a domain name permanently. Domain name registration is done every year. However, you can pre-pay for up to 10 years, which guarantees that you will have a domain name for ten years.

As long as you continue to pay the annual renewal fee, you can own the domain permanently, and no one can take it from you.

The folks at Unstoppable Domains are offering NFT domains for crypto wallets, and those you can buy permanently.

These Web3 domains currently do not work on all browsers natively, but we believe that with the evolution of blockchain, future businesses will likely be able to own their domains forever, even with the popular registrars above.

Why is domain renewal more expensive?

Often domain registrars offer aggressive discounts on first-year domain registration fees, and the renewals happen at the regular price.

This is why, to maximize your savings, we recommend pre-paying the registration fee for 2-3 years, so you can lock in your domain registration discount.

Who is the safest domain registrar?

All domain registrars have to follow ICANN policies, so technically, they are all safe. However, there are additional steps you can take to protect your domain name from being stolen.

These include implementing Domain Lock, which prevents unauthorized domain transfers.

Furthermore, you want a domain registrar that offers two-factor authentication and security.

In our experience, both Bluehost and GoDaddy are the safest domain registrars.

If you are looking for enterprise solutions, then many businesses trust Cloudflare Domains and MarkMonitor for safety.

Can someone steal my domain name?

Yes, domain name theft (also known as domain hijacking) is a common crime. Losing your domain can be devastating for small business owners. This is why it’s important that you choose a well-known domain registrar with a good reputation.

Hackers can steal your domain name by obtaining access to your domain registrar account. You must use a strong password and set up two-factor authentication.

We also recommend small business owners use an identity theft protection service to get near-real-time alerts of identity fraud because, generally, domain theft, domain hijacking, and domain ransomware are often a byproduct of another hack.

Can I use multiple domain registrars?

Yes, you can use multiple domain registrars if you like. We have different domains registered across various registrars, including Domain.com, Bluehost, GoDaddy, NameCheap, Name.com, and many more.

This is primarily because we buy/sell domains, and it’s just easier to transfer the domain from one account to another in the same registrar.

When you transfer domains to a different registrar, it can take up to 7 days.

Who determines if a domain is a premium domain?

Premium domains are often owned by an existing business/entrepreneur. That person will determine the price of their premium domain.

Sometimes the domain registry will hold back some premium domains and only release them at premium prices. In this case, the prices are determined by their sales team.

For example, we acquired a two-letter am.co domain for our management company Awesome Motive, and this was a premium domain.

Which are the top 3 best domain registrars, in your opinion?

Our top 3 choices for the best domain name registrar are:

  1. Domain.com – Best domain registrar (overall). Bonus: offering special pricing for our readers too.
  2. Bluehost – Best domain registrar if you are looking for web hosting. Bonus: domain name is free.
  3. Hostinger – Best domain registrar with a free domain and cheap web hosting.

No, this last question is not a joke. We seriously get this question even after referring people to this guide.

We hope this article helped you learn how to choose the best domain registrar for your business. You may also want to see our guide on how to get a free business email address and how to get a free business phone number for your website.

If you liked this article, then please subscribe to our YouTube Channel for WordPress video tutorials. You can also find us on Twitter and Facebook.

Disclaimer: To help our readers avoid choice paralysis, we only compared the best domain registrars, in our opinion. This list doesn’t include other domain registrars like Namesilo, Porkbun, Donuts, Name.com, Dynadot, Google Domains, Hover, Shopify, WordPress.com, Enom, Tucows, Netim, IONOS (formerly 1&1), Wix, Squarespace, etc., because we believe the solutions mentioned in this article are simply better.

Disclosure: Our content is reader-supported. This means if you click on some of our links, then we may earn a commission. See how WPBeginner is funded, why it matters, and how you can support us. Here's our editorial process.

Editorial Staff

Editorial Staff at WPBeginner is a team of WordPress experts led by Syed Balkhi with over 16 years of experience in WordPress, Web Hosting, eCommerce, SEO, and Marketing. Started in 2009, WPBeginner is now the largest free WordPress resource site in the industry and is often referred to as the Wikipedia for WordPress.

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Reader Interactions

102 CommentsLeave a Reply

  1. Syed Balkhi says

    Hey WPBeginner readers,
    Did you know you can win exciting prizes by commenting on WPBeginner?
    Every month, our top blog commenters will win HUGE rewards, including premium WordPress plugin licenses and cash prizes.
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  2. THANKGOD JONATHAN says

    considering reputation and support team experience is also important when selecting your domain registrar.
    when you choose the wrong company you may face challenges renewing your domain as some companies have little to zero customer tolerance. all they needed was your money.

    • Jiří Vaněk says

      Therefore, there is a simple test. Every proper registrar should have contact information. Email or phone. There is nothing better than writing or calling them to test how quickly their support will respond even when you are not yet their customer and not generating revenue for them. If they respond quickly and willingly, there is a high probability that they will behave the same in the future.

  3. Uzair says

    I’d say Reputation and Reliability stand out as the most critical factor when choosing a domain registrar as mentioned in this article. The registrar’s track record and reliability can significantly impact the website’s accessibility and security, making it a fundamental consideration in the selection process.

    • Dayo Olobayo says

      Couldn’t have said it better! Reputation and reliability are crucial. Along with those, consider the registrar’s customer support. What happens if you have an issue with your domain… will they be there to help quickly and efficiently? Look for registrars with excellent customer service ratings.

  4. Moinuddin Waheed says

    Another great tutorial mentioning all the best options available in the domain market.
    for only domain purchase I think namecheap and GoDaddy are the best.
    I have purchased several domains from these two platforms.
    As for other options like dreamhost, hostinger, bluehost i have utilised their free domain offer for one year along with hosting purchase. That is really a good option.

  5. Fajri says

    most beginner will only see the first time buying price. Remember that this is only promo price, means that the real price will applied for renewal.

    Choose it wisely. It is better for you to ask the support about the renewal price.

    I am a namecheap user btw :)

  6. Derek Harris says

    I’ve been using Domain.com for years, and have several domains through them. I had also used Network Solutions for several domains before. Domain.com’s support has gotten terrible over the last several months; they now only offer support through chat, and their chat no longer works, so there is no way to contact them with a support issue. I searched out this article today to find a new registrar to host my domains, but the free email hosting doesn’t seem to exist anywhere else.

  7. Lisa Svenson says

    I registred my first .COM domain back in 1995 at NetworkSolutions. After that I have registed a dozen .COM domains at Directnic and also several .COM domains at Namecheap och several .COM domains at NameSilo. And and a couple of .EU domains av ICDSoft.

    In the future I will also test Truehost because they have low prices for eg. .DOWNLOAD TLDs.

    NOTE! I only use the above companies as domain registrars… NOT for webhosting!

    Cheers… Lisa Svenson, Sweden, EU

  8. Moinuddin Waheed says

    For registering domain name while not having a hosting service, it is better to go with options mentioned such as bluehost or dreamhost or other hosting providers which gives first year domain for free.
    I have used hostinger, siteground, dreamhost , bluehost , hostgator for this purpose.
    but if you want especially to buy domain name only then namecheap is one of the best solutions. I have used GoDaddy as well but found namecheap to be on the good side in terms of support and other aspects.

  9. Konrad says

    domain.com didnt let me down when i needed inexpensive domain to run my little minecraft server :P considering a return soon but this time for something bigger :) Thanks

  10. Ray says

    I’m a musician and would like to know if .music is any good or should I just stick with your suggested list.
    Thanking you in advance.

  11. Sabrina Gonzalez says

    As I begin to launch my first website, I grateful for this information in this article. When would one choose a ‘hosting’ versus purchasing a domain?

    • WPBeginner Support says

      For someone just starting out, it is a low-cost starting point where if they decide later that they want to change their domain or start a different type of site that they are not stuck with a domain that they are not using.

      Admin

  12. Yongo Law says

    I have being using namecheap.com for my domains and hosting of websites all this while. But I will try domain.com for my next domain and see how their’s works!

  13. Miranda says

    Thanks for this list. Looks like I’ll be checking out Bluehost when I’m ready to build my site.

  14. Aditya Agarwal says

    Do you ever recommend renewing Site Hosting? Or should we buy a new one every year to save money…?

    • WPBeginner Support says

      That is personal preference, if you have a specific registrar that you are comfortable with then it can be worth a raise in price for comfort.

      Admin

  15. Zeeshan ul Amir says

    You guys have best tutorials and very informative platforms for newbies and also for pros.

  16. Pravakar says

    I always stuck on choosing a good registrar to buy domain but this post cleared my all doubts.

    Thanks for publishing such an amazing article. Just 1 word for this article, “MInd Blowing”

  17. Paul Archer says

    Thanks for sharing. I like how informative it is. Will try Domain.com on my next domain name. I do think what registrar you use is a matter of preference. Cheers!

  18. Saket Yeotikar says

    I am using GoDaddy for domain registration. Is it possible to transfer the registrar to some other hosting company?

  19. Shaheer says

    Tbh, this community has helped me alot in tackling WordPress issues and improvements. Thank You :)

  20. Elias Medina says

    I have a domain and namecheap hosting, I also had Bluehost and Godaddy, Namecheap has been the best option for me.

    • WPBeginner Support says

      If you have recently purchased a domain you need to wait 60 days before you can transfer your domain.

      Admin

    • WPBeginner Support says

      While not required, that would be one of the few upsells that would be helpful to purchase if you wanted to hide your email.

      Admin

  21. Raymond Martinez says

    Thank you for the email I have a workspace account that I’m going to cancel and they told me I need to transfer my domain name to another register very good information I just happened to stumble across you first and you answered all my questions very informative. Thank you for the info.

    • WPBeginner Support says

      Yes, for 3 sites you would normally want 3 domains unless you are putting the other sites in a subfolder :)

      Admin

  22. Ulhaas says

    Hi,
    Greetings, Hope you all are doing good.

    Great! to know about the Domain registration details, it sure dose help.

    Good work and keep it up.

    Take care and stay safe.
    Thank you,

  23. T.Sanchez says

    Once I’ve chosen a registrar, will they make the domain name for me or will I be able to create it myself? Thanks in Advance!

  24. Mike Ross says

    A really useful guide, thanks. One query though, if changing registrars, how easy is it to transfer the hosting of the site too?

  25. Buks says

    As a domain investor/seller, is it advisable to register a domain name with an hosting site that offers free domain registration with an hosting plan?

    • WPBeginner Support says

      That would be a personal preference question rather than a best practices question. We do not have a specific recommendation for that at the moment.

      Admin

    • WPBeginner Support says

      You would need to transfer the domain to the new registrar before being able to renew with them

      Admin

  26. Gramos says

    If I purchase a domain name from the above sites, can I build my website up in any other platform?

    Thanks in advance!

  27. Trina says

    Hi – how do we get the free domain with dreamhost? I went to the site using the link in the blurb, but did not see an option for free domain. It’s charging me.

  28. Mike says

    If I use one of the hosting sites that provide the domain. Do I own the domain name or do they? I don’t want to be trapped into their service I’ve not owning my domain.

    • WPBeginner Support says

      You would own your domain name and be able to transfer it after the 60-day transfer restriction that all domains are currently under.

      Admin

  29. Merion Rebeca says

    Thank you for your article. I had some confusion. After reading your article it helps me to clear my ideas.

    • WPBeginner Support says

      The coupon code should still work at the moment, you may want to ensure there are no typos or you didn’t copy a space before the code when pasting it in

      Admin

  30. Helen Mitchell says

    Thanks for the article. I’ve had some problems with GoDaddy and I’m thinking of switching to HostGator. The customer support at GoDaddy is not impressive – I rarely get through and they will add things to my cart that I don’t need or want. I already have office360 and don’t need it again for e-mail. Plus they limit email accounts.

  31. Betty Hahn says

    Hello, I just opened a real estate investment business. I am new to domain/hosting. Can someone recommend a domain for beginners? I also need to set up a email for my business. Thank you!

  32. Dan says

    Isn’t it interesting how life can be?

    I’ve never had any issue with Namecheap for almost ten years now but you did.
    Godaddy is cool with domain and not their hosting services but what I don’t like is the lack of 24/7 live chat support system.

    Anyways, good collection you have there!

    • WPBeginner Support says

      Thanks for sharing your experiences with these providers and glad you like our article :)

      Admin

  33. DENNIS says

    On the host, does a host provide an SSL certificate even when the domain name is registered with a different domain registrar?
    Another question about BlueHost: does BlueHost offer domain privacy options and if yes, what would be the price of your discounted offer of $2.75/month in case one required that they offer domain privacy or does the package still come with domain privacy as an option to choose from?

    • WPBeginner Support says

      You would want to reach out to the host, in this case BlueHost, and they can let you know the specifics on how they handle SSL and their current pricing for domain privacy

      Admin

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