.Org vs .Com: Which is the Better Domain Extension?

Are you trying to decide whether .org vs .com is the better domain extension?

There are many types of domains, but the most popular are .org and .com. While often taken for granted, a site’s domain extension affects how others view your brand and how easy it is for users to find your site.

In this post, we’ll compare .org vs .com and highlight when to use each. That way, you’ll know which domain extension is right for your needs.

.Org vs .Com: Which is the Better Domain Extension?

What are Domain Extensions, and Why Should You Care?

Domain extensions, also known as top-level domains (TLDs), are the last part of a domain name, appearing after the dot.

Take WPBeginner, which uses the .com extension, while a site like WordPress uses .org. (There is a .com for WordPress, but it is a commercial product, not open source.)

To understand how a domain name works, you have to know how it interacts with the Domain Name System (DNS).

When entering a website address, the DNS looks up the URL (wpbeginner.com) and finds the hosting server’s numerical IP address where the website lives.

We use domain names rather than typing the IP address because they’re much easier for humans and search engines to use and remember. In addition to the domain name itself, the domain extension can tell visitors what your website is about.

For example, .com is designed for commercial websites, while .org is meant for non-profit organizations.

When potential customers see your web address, they might make assumptions about your business based solely on your URL.

With that in mind, we’re going to highlight the differences between a .org and .com domain extension and which is better for your website. Click on any of the links below to jump to a specific section.

What is a .org Domain Extension?  

The .org extension stands for organization and was created for nonprofit organizations and charities to provide valuable information.

Generally, .org websites are used to raise awareness, accept online donations, and search for volunteers. Thus, when visitors see a .org domain name, that’s what they come to expect.

That said, anyone can register a website with the .org domain extension, even if the website isn’t part of a nonprofit organization.

However, businesses can still benefit from the .org domain when linked to the company’s charitable arm, while other domain names help protect the brand.

What is a .com Domain Extension? 

The .com extension is the most popular domain extension and is used by commercial businesses.

Nowadays, .com has become the default domain extension for general-purpose websites, whether or not they have commercial intent.

With that in mind, the idea of .org being only for nonprofits has stuck around a lot more than .com being only for businesses.

Differences Between .org and .com

As we said above, neither .org nor .com has special requirements to register, even though they were both made for different purposes and users expect different things from them.

Still, there are a few major differences between them that we’ll go into below.

Availability

The overwhelming popularity of .com has made it challenging to find and choose the best domain names with the extension. With many desirable domains either in use or parked, some people turn to other domain name extensions to get the URL they want.

Before you jump to other TLDs, you should start by looking at our free business name generator tool. It gives you clever ideas you can use for your domain name. Just make sure your domain name accurately represents your business and what you do.

For instance, let’s say you want to start a recipe blog.

Using our handy business name generator, you can find useful domain names like thedailyrecipes.com.

domain name generator

You can see in the screenshot above, that many simple .com addresses are already taken.

In contrast, far fewer .org domains are taken. In fact, there are 161.1 million .com domains registered compared to only 10.6 million .org registrations.

Because of its lower demand, .org is also much cheaper to get. That’s the opposite of many .com domain names because they are becoming more expensive because of high demand.

Example of .com vs .org domain extension

Credibility and Trustworthiness

Because the .org extension was intended for nonprofit organizations and is still used by many of the most well-known charities and philanthropic groups, this TLD still elicits a high degree of trust. When applied to the right site, it adds more credibility than the .com extension.

That said, it depends on what your site is used for. If you start an online store using a .org TLD, most people may be confused by your domain extension since visitors may expect to land on a nonprofit site.

This can lead to a high bounce rate and lower engagement, which also hurts your SEO.

If you own a .org site, your website should align with your target audience and their expectations of a nonprofit mission-driven organization.

The .com extension is still a more widely trusted domain than other TLDs because of its familiarity. In fact, .com domains are 33% more memorable, and when people try to remember a URL, they’re 3.8 times more likely to assume it ends in .com.

It’s also important to keep in mind that other factors determine whether a site is credible. For example, a site using HTTPS means it has active SSL encryption, which is more secure for keeping users and their data safe.

Traffic

If you’re looking specifically for branding and discoverability, .com is the best choice. If you want your potential customers to find you, .com is the most natural extension for your visitors to type in. That’s why we use the .com domain extension here at WPBeginner and for our other products.

48% of websites use .com versus only 5% for .org. Consumers view .com as the de facto default extension. Thus, you’re more likely to get people to remember a .com domain, which can increase direct traffic.

Of course, .org domains will likely rank higher for nonprofit-related keywords.

However, some mobile devices include a .com button on their keyboards, which makes them a more mobile-friendly option as well. Users can press and hold the .com button for other extensions like .org to appear.

When Should You Use a .org Extension?

While everyone can register a .org extension, it may not be the best choice for everyone. Here are a few examples of when using .org is the best choice:

  • Charity, community, and nonprofit organizations: .org domains have historically been linked to nonprofit and humanitarian causes. Internet users have come to associate .org domains with charities and nonprofits. This extension can enhance the credibility of an organization as it signals a commitment to serve others.
  • Open-source websites: While open-source software companies aren’t generally seen as nonprofits, they commonly use .org extensions. They do so to tell the public their software or user network is available for free. WordPress.org is an example of this.
  • Informational websites: .org websites are known for providing valuable, unbiased information that helps people learn about important issues.

When Should You Use a .com Extension?

The best domain extension mainly depends on the type of website you plan to create. Here’s a quick look at when to use .com:

  • Business websites: .com has a wide general appeal and is commonly used for commercial purposes making it the appropriate choice for just about any for-profit business. This works for just about any type of business and includes companies of all sizes, including small businesses and startups.
  • Ecommerce stores: .com is widely used and trusted, which can instill confidence in shoppers. For example, if given the choice, a user is more likely to purchase from an online store that uses .com than a .xyz or .biz.
  • Blogs and Personal Brands: .com is simply easy to remember and better for branding, helping you reach a broader audience.

Which Extension is Better

When running a small business, .com will do the trick. The extension generally performs better for SEO and helps to boost your online presence more than other domain alternatives.

It’s also seen as the default domain extension and is the go-to choice for online businesses, personal websites, publications, and blogs.

The only downside to .com is availability. With billions of websites on the internet, your desired URL may not be available in .com.

In that case, you have to weigh your options. Is altering your brand name or adding additional words to get the .com domain extension worth it?

For some, they rather keep their original name or idea and choose .org instead. Some even go for .net as an alternative.

With that in mind, we recommend using domain name generators or a site like Nameboy to help you find the right URL for your business. Since having a .com can affect your audience’s perception of your brand and traffic, it’s a good idea to find a .com URL that works for you. 

Of course, there are also other TLD alternatives like .edu, .biz, .gov, and .net. If you’re creating multilingual websites or region-specific websites, make sure to use the right country code, such as .co.uk and .ca.

Ultimately, the choice is yours, but .com is best for most new website owners.

How to Use .org or .com Domain Extensions

Once you’ve decided which extension you’d like to use, it’s time to buy your domain and create your website.

1. Pick a Domain Registrar

You can purchase your domain at a few different places, including:

  • Domain name registrar: Some companies like Domain.com or Namecheap provide domain registration as their primary service. The best registrars offer low pricing discounts for multi-year registrations and free WHOIS protection (to hide your personal information from domain registries).
  • Web hosting service: Many hosting services will also register domain names. Sometimes, they’ll give you a great deal for choosing to bundle one with your hosting plan. For example, BlueHost offers a free domain for your first year when you choose to use their hosting services.
  • Website builder: Some website builders like Squarespace let you buy a domain name, host it, and build your site all in one place.

2. Register a Domain Name

Once you’ve chosen a registrar, you can register a domain name.

Use their search tool to find and purchase the perfect domain that aligns with your business.

Bluehost domain search

In this process, you’ll also have to set up your account and provide a form of payment.

3. Choose a Web Host and CMS 

Now that you have your domain name, it’s time to connect it to a website. First, you must rent server space from a web hosting provider. For those using WordPress, make sure to get managed WordPress hosting, which you can get from Bluehost.

Bluehost

While there’s a lot that goes into making a website, using a content management (CMS) such as WordPress can make the process much easier.

And if you already have a website but once you change your domain name, check out our guide on how to easily move WordPress to a new domain.

We hope this article helped you learn the difference between .org and .com domain name extensions. You may also want to read our guide on how to choose the best WordPress hosting or how to get a free domain name.

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.

The post .Org vs .Com: Which is the Better Domain Extension? first appeared on WPBeginner.

Wix Domains: Everything You Need to Know About Website Domains in Wix

Wix DomainsIf you're new to Wix and looking to create an impactful presence on the web, one of the most critical steps is figuring out how Wix domains work and how to pick the best option for your site. This article will look at Wix domains, what a domain name is, the benefits and drawbacks of getting one through Wix, and how you can add a domain name to your Wix site.

How To Buy a Domain Name Anonymously (3 Easy Ways)

Do you want to buy a domain main anonymously for your business?

When you purchase a domain, your personal information is listed in the WHOIS database which is publicly available. Because of that, anyone can search and see who owns the domain.

In this article, we’ll show you how to buy a domain name anonymously.

How to buy a domain name anonymously

Why Buy a Domain Name Anonymously?

When you create a WordPress website, you’ll need a domain name. It is your site’s address that people will type in their browsers to visit your website.

However, when you buy a domain name, your personal information is saved in a public WHOIS database. The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, or ICANN, requires every domain registrar to maintain a WHOIS database.

Using this database, anyone can find out who actually owns a domain name. This includes your name, email address, physical address, server name, DNS, and other information.

WHOIS database

Buying a domain anonymously allows you to protect your private data and use proxy information in the WHOIS database instead. Plus, you can prevent malicious or accidental domain transfers from happening.

Additionally, getting the domain anonymously enhances your site’s online security. It prevents hackers from stealing your domain or misusing it for monetary benefit.

That said, let’s look at how you can buy a domain name anonymously. We’ll show you 3 ways to hide your information in the WHOIS database using domain registrars and a web hosting company.

You can click the links below to jump ahead to your preferred section:

Method 1: Buy Domain Name Anonymously Using Domain.com

Domain.com is one of the most popular domain name registrars. You can easily find a domain for your website, as it offers more than 300 website name extensions.

With Domain.com, you get access to multiple tools for domain management. For example, you get bulk registration, easy transfers, DNS management, an email account, and more.

To buy a domain name anonymously, you’ll first need to visit the Domain.com website and enter a name in the search bar. After that, simply click the ‘Search’ button.

The Domain.com website with search bar

The domain registrar will now see if the domain you’re looking for is available and show a list of options with different website extensions.

If your domain is available, then Domain.com will add the ‘Domain Privacy + Protection’ addon by default. However, this is a paid addon and will cost you an additional $8.99 per year along with the cost of the domain name.

You will see it in your shopping cart, and the ‘Add Domain Privacy + Protection to each domain for $8.99 per year’ option will also be enabled.

Add domain privacy and protection feature

Domain.com offers WPBeignner readers 25% off on domains and addons like Privacy + Protection.

All you have to do is use the Domain.com coupon code at checkout.

Method 2: Buy Domain Name Anonymously Using Bluehost

Bluehost is one of the largest hosting companies in the world and the official WordPress hosting partner. When you sign up for their hosting service, you can register a domain for free.

Bluehost lets you add the ‘Domain Privacy Protection’ addon to your package during the signup process. This way, your private information won’t be publically available, as it will be replaced with generic Bluehost contact details in the WHOIS database.

Bluehost offers an exclusive discount for WPBeginner users. Using the Bluehost coupon code, you can get website hosting, a free domain name, and a free SSL certificate for just $2.75 per month.

To get started, you need to visit the Bluehost website and click the ‘Get Started Now’ button.

Bluehost website

Next, you will need to select a pricing plan.

Simply click the ‘Select’ button for any plan you’d like to use.

Bluehost pricing plans

After that, Bluehost will ask you to set up a domain. You can either create a new domain or connect an existing domain name.

Since we’re buying a new domain, simply enter a name under the ‘Create a new domain’ section and click the ‘Next’ button. You can also choose the domain extension you’d like to use.

Enter your domain name

Bluehost will now check if the domain name you entered is available. If it is, then you’ll see the account information and payment page.

Next, you can add your personal details to create an account. From here, simply scroll down to the ‘Package Extras’ section and make sure that the ‘Domain Privacy + Protection’ addon is selected.

Ensure that domain privacy is added

The ‘Domain Privacy + Protection’ costs $11.88 per year at Bluehost. With that option selected, you can go ahead and enter your payment details to purchase website hosting and domain name anonymously.

Method 3: Buy Domain Name Anonymously Using GoDaddy

Another way you can get your hands on a domain name anonymously is by using GoDaddy. It is one of the oldest and most popular domain registrars in the market.

To start, you can visit the GoDaddy website and search for a domain name.

Search for domain name in GoDaddy

Next, GoDaddy will check and see if your domain name is available. It will also show different domain extensions you can purchase along with the .com extension.

After that, simply click the ‘Continue to Cart’ button.

Continue to cart

On the next screen, you can select different addons for your domain name. This includes protecting your domain and keeping your information anonymous.

Simply select the ‘Full Domain Protection’ option, which is $9.99 per year, and click the ‘Continue to Cart’ button.

Select full domain protection

After that, GoDaddy will show you a summary of your cart. You can check if everything is correct.

Next, go ahead and click the ‘I’m Ready to Pay’ button to proceed to the payment process and finalize your purchase.

View cart summary

Additionally, GoDaddy differs from other registrars because you can buy a domain name that’s already taken by using their domain broker service.

If the domain name you’re looking for is owned by someone else, then GoDaddy will work as a broker and try to work out a deal with the domain owner.

Since GoDaddy acts as the middleman and handles all the steps, your identity is never revealed to the actual owner.

Simply visit the GoDaddy Domain Broker Service webpage and enter the domain name in the search bar.

Domain broker service

Next, you can hire GoDaddy as your domain broker, so they can negotiate a deal to purchase your domain name.

Doing so and using GoDaddy as a broker will cost you $69.99 per domain plus a 20% commission on the final price of the domain.

Hire a broker

We hope this article helped you learn how to buy a domain name anonymously. You can also see our guide on how to improve your WordPress SEO ranking, and the best email marketing services for small businesses.

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.

The post How To Buy a Domain Name Anonymously (3 Easy Ways) first appeared on WPBeginner.

How to Get a Domain Name for Free: 4 Methods That Still Work

how to get a domain name for freeGetting a domain name is most people’s roadblock when trying to release a new website to the world. Basically, you cannot even start working on a website until you have a domain name at your disposal. But what if you could actually get your domain without paying anything for it? In this guide, we’re going to show you four very real methods of how to get a domain name for free.

Com vs Net – What’s the Difference Between Domain Extensions

Have you ever wondered what the difference is between .com vs .net domain name extensions? Choosing the right domain name is crucial because it can have an impact on your branding and search rankings.

In this article, we will explain the difference between .com vs .net domain extensions and which one is better for your website.

Difference between Com vs Net domain name extensions

What Are .Com and .Net Domain Name Extensions?

A domain name is your website’s address on the internet. Ours is wpbeginner.com.

To learn more about domain names, see our beginner’s guide on what is a domain name and how do domains work.

Domain names always have an extension. This is sometimes also called a TLD, which stands for Top Level Domain. For instance:

example.com
example.net
example.org

You can choose from a wide range of domain extensions when making your website.

Most domain extensions don’t have any restrictions on usage and lots of new domain extensions have been created in recent years.

However, extensions were originally created for different types of websites. They have specific meanings.

You need to choose a domain name extension that fits your business while helping you build a recognizable brand in your industry.

Let’s take a look at the difference between the most popular .com vs .net domain extensions to see which is better for your business.

Difference Between .Com vs .Net Domain Names

The .com vs .net domain extension

Com and Net are two of the most popular domain name extensions. If your preferred .com domain name extension is not available, then you might be tempted to use a .net instead.

However, .net isn’t a good option for your business in most cases.

The “com” in the .com domain name indicates a “commercial” site. This can cover business websites, websites that want to make money online, personal websites, blogs, portfolios, and more.

On the other hand, the “net” in the .net domain name extension stands for “network”. It was designed for the internet, networking, and email service providers.

If you’re wondering about .org, that stands for “organization” and was originally intended for use by nonprofit organizations.

When Should You Choose a .Com Domain Name?

The extension .com on a bulletin board

The .com domain extension has been synonymous with the internet since the “dot-com bubble” in the late 1990s. Over 40% of all registered domain names are .com domains.

It’s much easier for people to remember a .com domain name than any other domain extension. It’s familiar and reassuring, plus it makes your site look professional.

Also, most mobile keyboards have a dedicated .com button. You won’t find that for .net (or any other extension).

There’s just one problem. You’ve probably noticed that .com domain names are so popular that it feels like all the good ones are already taken!

However, there are still plenty of clever ways to get the perfect .com domain name. Here are some things to try:

  • Check that your domain name represents your business and what you do. For example, stargardeningservices.com is better than starservices.com.
  • If your preferred domain name is taken, then you can add a word before or after it to make it unique. Your location could work well here. For example, stargardeninghouston.com.
  • Make sure your domain name can be easily pronounced and remembered. Don’t use hyphens or numbers in your domain name.
  • Take advantage of online domain name generators. These free tools will help you come up with clever domain name ideas that are unique and still available. WPBeginner now has an AI-powered free business name generator.

Need more help? We’ve got lots of practical tips and real-life examples in our article on how to choose the best domain name for your website.

When You Should Use the .Net Domain Extension?

The .net extension still makes sense in some cases. You could use it if you offer internet, networking, database hosting, email hosting, or similar services.

You might even want to use a .net domain name if it truly suits your brand.

For example, Behance.net is a popular online design community which uses a .net domain extension for their website. It suits them because they wanted to be a network of artists, designers, and companies looking for talent.

Under 4% of all domain names registered are using the .net domain extension.

Why You Might Be Tempted to Use the .Net Extension

Have you ever tried to register a .com domain and seen something like this?

The .net domain is being promoted as an alternative to the .com one

Domain name registrars often present .net as the top alternative to .com. This might make you think it’s more commonly used than it actually is.

Even the most well-known internet and network service companies use a .com domain name for their business.

Of course, 4% is still a lot of domain names. Over 13 million, in fact. You might wonder who’s using all those .net domain names.

In many cases, the .net domains aren’t really being used.

Many businesses register a .net extension so no-one else can take it. They may not use the .net domain, or they may redirect it to their .com. site.

Also, some companies started with a .net because they couldn’t get the .com they wanted. Most later transferred to a .com domain extension, often keeping the .net domain name registered for technical and legal reasons.

Choosing .Com vs .Net – Which One is Better for SEO?

SEO - search engine optimization - in letters

A lot of our users ask us which domain extension will help them rank higher.

If you’re looking at either .com or .net, it doesn’t make any difference which you choose from an SEO perspective. Search engines will treat both domain extensions the same.

Just focus on SEO best practices and create useful targeted content to rank higher.

The important part is your domain name itself, not the extension.

For example, stargardeningservices.com will rank better than starservices.net because it contains a keyword (gardening services) that people are likely to search for.

How to Buy a Domain Name

There are two ways to get a domain name. You can choose the one that best suits you.

1. Get a FREE Domain Name with Bluehost

To make a website, you need website hosting as well as a domain name.

This may seem a bit confusing when you’re new to creating websites. Make sure you’re clear on the difference between domain name and website hosting.

Usually, you will pay around $14.99/year for a domain name and $7.99/month for hosting. If you are just starting out, then you may feel that’s quite expensive.

Luckily, the folks at Bluehost are offering WPBeginner users a free domain name and a 65% discount on hosting.

→ Click Here to Claim Your Free Domain Name ←

2. Register a Domain Name

If you don’t want to make a website straight away, you can still register a domain name and make a website later.

We recommend using Domain.com for this. They offer features like private registration, easy transfers, easy DNS management, and more. Their search tool shows you premium domains as well as regular ones, too.

Registering a domain name with Domain.com

To get an exclusive 25% discount on your domain, make sure you go through our link to Domain.com. This will automatically apply our Domain.com coupon code.

If you’re looking for Domain.com alternatives, then please see our list of the best domain registrars.

If this is your first time registering a domain name, then you may want to use our step by step guide on how to register a domain name.

We hope this article helped you learn the difference between .com vs .net domain name extensions. You may also want to see our step by step guides on how to start a blog and how to start an online store.

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.

The post Com vs Net – What’s the Difference Between Domain Extensions appeared first on WPBeginner.

How to Register a Domain Name (+ simple tip to get it for FREE)

Do you want to start a blog or a new online business in 2019? If you do, then you’ll need to register a domain name.

The first step towards building a website is to find a good domain name and register it. In this article, we will show you how to register a domain name, step by step. We will also share a tip on how you can register a domain name for free.

How to register your own domain name and how to get one for free

Since this is a comprehensive guide on how to register a domain name, we have created a table of content, so you can easily skip to the section that you’re most interested in:

Before we get started, let’s cover the basics so we’re on the same page.

What is a Domain Name?

A domain name is the address of your website that people type in the browser to visit your website. For example, wpbeginner.com.

In simple term, if your website was a house, then your domain name will be its address.

The whole internet is a giant network of computers. Each computer is assigned a number which is called an IP address, and it looks like this:

66.249.66.1

Now, this is not an easy to remember address. Imagine if you had to use this kind of addresses to visit your favorite websites.

To fix this problem, domain names were invented.

Domain names can have alphabets and numbers, which helps business owners create brandable names for their website’s address.

How domain names work

To learn more about domain names, see our beginner’s guide on domain names and how do they work.

When Do You Need to Register a Domain Name?

Each day, over 46,000+ new .com domain names were registered during the third quarter of 2018.

Currently, there are over 140 million .com domain names already registered.

This means that all the good domain names are being registered as we speak. Chances are that someone may register a domain name that you’re thinking of, so it’s smart to register a domain name as soon as you think of an idea.

This is why all smart entrepreneurs proactively register domain names even before launching a business.

Domain names are cheap, and you can register them for a year. If you decide to not pursue the online business idea, then you can let them expire.

The bottom line is, if you are serious about building a business, then you should register a domain name right away.

It will help you protect your brand’s identity, business name, and even future business ideas.

How much does a domain name cost?

Normally, a .com domain name costs $14.99 / year. The cost of a domain varies based on each different extension. Some are even more expensive than this.

We don’t recommend using anything but .com domains because everybody remembers a .com domain, and your smartphone keyboards have a pre-built key for .com.

Do I Need a Website to Register a Domain Name?

No, you do not need a website to register a domain name. You can register a domain name and make a website later. You can also register a domain name and setup a temporary website or coming soon page with SeedProd.

A lot of entrepreneurs treat domain names like digital real-estate, so they register a good domain name and hold it for the right buyer to purchase it from them for profit.

How to Choose The Best Domain Name?

Domain names play a very important role in your website’s identity and success. This is why it’s important for you to carefully think about the domain name you choose.

However, it’s also important to not overthink it otherwise you will never get past the research phase.

Following are some general tips to keep in mind when searching for a domain name.

  • Make sure that your domain name is easy to pronounce, spell, and as short as possible.
  • Stick with the .com extension because most users find them easier to remember than any other domain extensions.
  • Use your keywords and brand name in the domain name search. For example, stargardeninghouston.com is more search engine friendly, than stargardeningcompany.com
  • Do not use numbers or hyphens in your domain name. It makes them harder to pronounce and difficult to remember.

Need more advice? See our expert tips on finding the best domain name for your website.

You can also use a domain name generator like Nameboy to speed up your search.

How to Register a Domain Name (Step by Step)

You can register a domain name from any of the top domain registrars that are authorized by ICANN to register domain names.

Since there are so many different registrars, we will cover the three most popular ways to register a domain name, and you can choose the one that best fits your need.

  1. How to register a domain name for free
  2. How to register a domain with Domain.com
  3. How to register a domain name with GoDaddy

1. How to Register a Domain Name for Free

If you want to register a domain name to start a blog or make a website, then this is the best option for you.

Normally, a domain name costs $14.99 / year and website hosting plans start from $7.99 / month. This is a lot of money if you are just starting out.

Luckily, Bluehost has agreed to offer our users a free domain name, SSL Certificate, and 60% discount on web hosting.

Basically, you can pay $2.75 per month for web hosting, and you will get a domain name for free, so you can start your website without a lot of money.

→ Click Here to Get Free Domain with Bluehost ←

Bluehost is one of the biggest web hosting companies in the world. They are in business since 2003 and host more than 2 million websites. Not to mention, they’re officially recommended by WordPress.

To get started, you need to visit the Bluehost website and click on the Get Started button.

Get started with Bluehost

This will bring you to the pricing page. Their Basic and Plus plans are popular among our users.

Bluehost pricing

Click on the ‘Select’ button below a plan to continue.

On the next page, you will be asked to choose a domain name. Simply type the domain name in the “New Domain” box because that will get you a free domain name.

Select domain name you want to register

If the domain name you entered is available, then you will be taken to the signup page. From here you need to enter your account information like name, address, email, etc.

Below the account information, you will notice some hosting extras. We don’t recommend buying them, so you can safely uncheck them for now. If you feel that you need them, then you can always add them later.

Uncheck hosting extras

After that, you can enter your payment information to finish the purchase.

Bluehost will now register your domain name, set up your hosting account and send you an email with a link to your hosting control panel.

Since you need both a domain name and web hosting to start any type of website, it makes a lot of sense to purchase them together, so you can get the domain name for free.

If for some reason you don’t want to use Bluehost to get a free domain name, then you can use GreenGeeks or InMotion Hosting. Both of these companies are also offering our readers a free domain name with web hosting.

Related: See the difference between domain and web hosting to understand why you need both to build a website.

2. How to Register a Domain Name with Domain.com

If you only want to register a domain name at the moment without creating a website, then Domain.com is your best option.

It offers an easy way to manage your domain name without creating a website.

Once you are ready, you can just point the domain name to your preferred WordPress hosting company.

First, you need to visit the Domain.com website and search for your desired domain name.

Search for domain name on Domain.com

If your desired domain name is available, then it will be automatically added to your cart.

You can adjust the registration period to 1 year. You can either choose to keep or remove the privacy protection. Removing it will reduce your domain registration cost.

Domain.com is offering WPBeginner readers a 25% discount, and our domain.com coupon should be automatically applied.

Add domain name to cart

Click on the continue button to check out.

On the checkout page, you can review your order and click on the ‘Proceed to billing’ button.

Proceed to billing section

Next, you need will be asked to enter your account and payment information to finish the domain purchase.

Complete your domain registration

Domain.com will now register your domain name, and it will send you an email with the link to your domain control panel.

3. How to Register a Domain Name with GoDaddy

Godaddy is the largest domain name registrar in the world. They currently manage over 77 million domain names for 18 million users from around the world.

They offer an easy domain control panel, which allows you to point your domain to any hosting provider when you are ready to build a website.

Here is how to register a domain name with GoDaddy (step by step).

First, you need to visit the GoDaddy website and enter the domain name you want to register in the search box.

Search domain name on GoDaddy

If your domain name is available, then you will see a success message with your domain name listed on top. You can now go ahead and add it to the cart.

Add domain name to cart

Next, click on the continue to cart button to checkout.

GoDaddy will now show you some additional services that you can purchase with your domain name. You can skip those by selecting ‘No thanks’ and click on the continue button.

Continue checkout

On the next page, you will see your domain name and its registration period. You can change the registration period to up to 10 years if you want.

However, we don’t recommend that. You can always renew your domain name before it expires, so if you want to save money, then you can select just 1 year registration period.

Finish your domain registration

You will need to create a Godaddy account to proceed.

After you have created an account, you will be able to enter your billing address and make a payment for your domain name.

GoDaddy will now register your domain name, and they will send you an email with a link to your domain control panel.

Pro Tip: You should make sure that auto-renew on your domain is turned on, so Godaddy can automatically bill your account and renew your domain name. This way you won’t lose your domain if you forget to renew it.

Domain Name Registration FAQs

Since we have helped over 200,000 people start a website, we have gotten just about every question you can possibly think of. Below are the answers to some of the top domain name questions:

Which is the best domain name registrar?

We believe that Domain.com is the best registrar right now because they have the features you need, and they’re offering a 25% off discount.

However it’s a smarter money decision to get a free domain with web hosting like Bluehost because it saves you time and money.

You can always transfer your domain name to another popular domain name registrar if you’re not happy with your existing provider.

Which domain extension I should buy?

You should always stick to .com domain names. They are the easiest to remember, and most mobile devices have a dedicated .com key in their keyboards. For more details, see our article on the difference between domain name extensions.

Should I register new domain name extensions?

Apart from the most common .com, .net, and .org, there are dozens more domain name extensions available. However, these new domain extensions are hard to remember and difficult to brand. To learn more, see our article on choosing a new domain extension for your website.

How can I buy a domain name permanently?

You cannot buy a domain name permanently. Domain name registration is done on a yearly basis. However, you can pre-pay for up to 10 years which guarantees that you will have a domain name for 10 years.

What happens to my domain name once its registration expires?

Unless you renew your domain name, it will automatically expire after the registration period you have paid for. Some domain name companies offer a grace period to renew your registration, but it is not guaranteed, and you can lose control of your domain name if you let it expire.

How do I renew my domain name?

You can renew your domain name from your domain control panel. We strongly recommend that you turn on auto-renew feature to automatically renew your domain name. You can always turn it off if you decide not to keep a domain name.

Even though your domain registrar would remind you to renew your domain registration before it expires, you may miss those emails and lose control of your domain name.

How can I reserve a domain name without buying it?

There is no way to reserve a domain name without purchasing it. You have to buy it if you want to reserve it. Considering the low cost of a domain name, it’s a small investment for a business.

Is there a way to buy an existing domain name?

Yes, you can use brokerage like Sedo.com to potentially acquire an existing domain name. However, it’s not guaranteed that you will get the domain name that you want because the seller may not want to sell it or ask for an outrageous price.

You can also purchase premium domains from a premium domain broker like BuyDomains.

We hope this article helped you learn how to register a domain name for your website. You may also want to see our tips on how to make money online with your new domain name and/or how to create a professional email address with your domain.

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