Domain Registrar | The Blog Pros

March 13, 2024

How to Renew a Domain Name (All Major Hosting Registrars)

Are you wondering how to renew your domain name?

Having an active domain name is essential for your business. Otherwise, your audience won’t be able to view your content, products, and services. Domain registration renewals often happen every year, but you can choose to pay for multiple years at once so your site is in no danger of losing its URL.

In this article, we will show you how to renew a domain for all major hosting registrars.

What is Domain Renewal?

Domain renewal is a process where you renew your domain name by paying a fee to a registrar.

It is essential that your WordPress website is active so users can easily read your blog posts, subscribe to newsletters, purchase products and services, or contact you. If your domain name expires, they won’t be able to do any of this.

Plus, an expired domain can be auctioned off to the highest bidder on different domain registration websites. Or it will become available in the market again, and anyone can purchase it. As a result, you’ll lose your website and have to find a new name and URL for your business.

Now, the domain renewal costs usually depend on the domain extension (like .com, .net, .org) you’re using. You can also renew a domain for multiple years, depending on the domain registrars and hosting services you are using.

Most domain registrars and web hosting services have an auto-renew option enabled by default for domain names. They also inform users a few weeks before a domain expires, usually by email.

That said, let’s look at how to manually renew a domain name in major WordPress hosting services. You can click the links below to jump to your preferred hosting or domain registration service.

Domain Name Renewal in Bluehost
Renewing Domain Name in Domain.com
Renew Domain Name in Hostinger
How to Renew Domain Name in SiteGround
Renewing a Domain Name in HostGator
Domain Name Renewal in Namecheap
How to Renew a Domain Name in GoDaddy
Renewing a Domain Name in WordPress.com
Bonus Tip: Transfer a Domain Name for Lower Rates

Domain Name Renewal in Bluehost

Bluehost is one of the largest WordPress hosting companies in the world and is the official WordPress-recommended hosting service. It delivers fast performance, 24/7 support, and a wide variety of pricing plans for all types of businesses.

With Bluehost, you get a free domain name and SSL certificate with each hosting plan. Plus, it offers a free content delivery network (CDN), so you get fast load times.

You can read our detailed Bluehost review to learn more about the hosting service.

To renew a domain name in Bluehost, you’ll need to log into your account and head to the ‘Renewal Center’ from the menu on the left.

On the next screen, you can select the ‘Domain Name’ option.

After that, go ahead and click the ‘Renew’ button at the top.

Next, you can go to the cart page and proceed with the checkout process.

There is also an option to choose the number of years for domain renewal (like 1 year). Plus, you can also renew any addons, like domain privacy.

Once you complete the purchase, your domain will be renewed in Bluehost.

Renewing Domain Name in Domain.com

Domain.com is one of the leading domain registrars that helps you find the right name and extension for your website. It also offers web hosting services, domain protection features, a WHOIS lookup tool, SSL certificates, and more.

To renew your domain name, you’ll first need to log in to your Domain.com account. Next, you can click the domain name or the gear icon to open the settings.

After that, you should see a summary of your domain.

Simply click the ‘Renew Domain’ link at the bottom.

Next, you can follow the checkout process and complete the payment to renew your domain.

Domain.com also lets you choose the number of years for domain renewal. For instance, you can select anywhere from 1 to 5 years.

Once the purchase is complete, you will receive a confirmation email notifying you that your domain has been renewed.

Renew Domain Name in Hostinger

Hostinger is one of the fastest web hosting services in the market. It offers a variety of hosting plans, including WordPress hosting, VPS hosting, cloud hosting solutions, and more.

With Hostinger, you get a 1-click WordPress install, automatic updates, free CDN, free domain name, enhanced security features, free SSL, and different website speed acceleration features.

You can renew a domain name in Hostinger by logging into the dashboard. From here, head to the ‘Billing’ tab at the top.

Next, you will see your domain names.

Simply click the ‘Renew now’ button for the domain you want to renew.

After that, a popup window will open where you can select the number of years for domain renewal.

From here, go ahead and click the ‘Choose payment method’ button.

Pay for your domain renewal in Hostinger

Lastly, complete the checkout process to make the purchase and renew your domain name.

If you want to learn more about Hostinger and its features, then you may want to see our detailed Hostinger review.

How to Renew Domain Name in SiteGround

SiteGround is the highest-rated WordPress hosting service. What’s great about them is that they offer in-house WordPress speed and security solutions.

It is also an officially recommended hosting solution by WordPress, providing one of the industry’s best customer support around the clock. This is why we use SiteGround to host the WPBeginner website.

You can easily renew a domain name by logging in to your SiteGround account. Once you’re on the dashboard, head to the ‘Billing’ tab.

Under the Billing tab, you’ll see more options. Simply switch to the ‘Renewals’ tab.

After that, click the checkbox to choose your website and renew its domain name. There is also an option to choose the time period for domain renewal. You can select anywhere from 1 month to 24 months.

Next, you can scroll down to enter the payment details.

Simply click the ‘Pay Now’ button after entering the payment information, and your domain name will be renewed.

Renewing a Domain Name in HostGator

HostGator is another popular WordPress hosting service and domain registrar. It offers 24/7 support, 1-click WordPress installation, free domain name, free SSL certificate, and more.

To renew a domain name in HostGator, you will first need to log in to your account. After that, you can click the ‘Renewal Center’ option from the menu on the left.

On the next screen, you will see different products and services you’ve purchased in HostGator.

Go ahead and click the ‘Domain Name’ checkbox to select it, and then click the ‘Renew Now’ button at the top.

After that, you will see your cart with domain name renewal.

You can also change the number of years for renewing the domain name. By default, it will be set to 1 year. But you can click the dropdown menu and change it to a maximum of 5 years.

Next, you can click the ‘Continue to Checkout’ button and complete the purchase process.

Once that’s done, your domain will be renewed in HostGator.

Domain Name Renewal in Namecheap

Namecheap is a popular domain registrar that helps users find the right domain name for their website.

You can renew a domain in Namecheap by logging in to your account. From here, you can head to the ‘Domain List’ tab from the menu on the left.

Now click the ‘Manage’ button next to the domain name you want to renew.

Next, you can head to the ‘Status & Validity’ section.

Go ahead and click the ‘Add Years’ button for your domain name.

After that, you can click the dropdown menu to select the number of years to renew your domain name.

Once that’s done, you can click the ‘Confirm Order’ button.

From here, simply follow the checkout process and complete the payment to renew your domain name.

How to Renew a Domain Name in GoDaddy

GoDaddy is one of the biggest and most popular domain registrars. It also offers managed WordPress hosting, website builder, security features, automatic updates, daily backups, and more.

You can log in to the GoDaddy Domain Portfolio to renew a domain name. To access the Domain Portfolio, click the dialpad icon at the top next to My Account and click the ‘Domains’ option.

Next, you can select the domain name you want to renew by clicking the checkbox.

After that, you’ll need to click the ‘Renew Now’ option at the bottom.

A new popup window will now open, where you can select the domain name renewal length. GoDaddy lets you renew a domain from 1 year to 9 years.

From here, simply click the ‘Continue to Checkout’ button.

Next, you can view your cart and complete the checkout process to renew the domain name.

You may also want to see our guide on how to move a GoDaddy website builder site to WordPress.

Renewing a Domain Name in WordPress.com

WordPress.com is a hosting service by Automattic, the company led by WordPress co-founder Matt Mullenweg.

Most people often confuse WordPress.com with WordPress.org, but they are very different. WordPress.org is a popular website platform and is open source. While WordPress.com is a propriety blog hosting service.

To learn more, please see our comparison of WordPress.org vs WordPress.com.

In WordPress.com, you get a free domain name with its hosting plans. To renew the domain, you’ll need to log in to your account. From here, head to the ‘Purchases’ tab from the menu on the left and then select your domain.

On the next screen, you will see details of your domain name.

Simply click the ‘Renew now’ button at the top or bottom of the page.

After that, you can head to the checkout page, select the renewal length, and complete the payment process.

That’s it. Your domain will be renewed on WordPress.com.

Bonus Tip: Transfer a Domain Name for Lower Rates

When you’re renewing a domain name on your preferred registration or web hosting service, it’s better to compare prices on other platforms as well before paying.

Sometimes, the renewal costs can be higher on your existing service. This is where you can transfer a domain name to another web hosting company or domain registrar.

For instance, Hostinger offers a feature to transfer a domain easily without any hassle.

You can also find this feature in other WordPress hosting services.

Besides that, here are more useful guides to help you out with domain names:

We hope this article helped you learn how to renew a domain name in all major hosting registrars. You may also want to see our guide on the difference between domain name and web hosting, and must-have WordPress plugins.

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 Renew a Domain Name (All Major Hosting Registrars) first appeared on WPBeginner.

September 8, 2023

How to Host Multiple Websites on One Server (Beginner’s Guide)

Do you want to host multiple WordPress websites on a single server?

You can easily manage multiple domains from a single place by hosting them on one server. Plus, it helps save costs as you won’t need to purchase separate servers for each website.

In this article, we will show you how to host multiple websites on one server.

Why Host Multiple Websites on One Server?

If you’re planning on expanding your business from one website to more, then it’s a feasible option to host them on a single server.

That’s because it is easier to manage them from a single place. It can be time-consuming and inconvenient to log in and out of multiple WordPress websites on different servers. If all your websites are on one server, then you can simply switch between them from the same dashboard.

Hosting multiple sites on a single server will also help save and be more economical for your business.

Many hosting providers offer dedicated hosting where you have full control over the server and allow you to set up more than 1 website.

Instead of purchasing individual hosting plans for each site, you can choose a plan that allows multiple WordPress sites on one server. This will also allow you to fully utilize your server resources.

That said, let’s see how you can host multiple websites on one server.

Select a Hosting Service and Buy Domains

Before you can add any website to a server, the first step is to purchase a hosting service and domain names for your websites.

Choosing a WordPress Hosting Provider

There are many services to choose from, but we recommend Hostinger. It is a fast-growing web hosting provider that offers different types of hosting options.

For instance, you can get premium shared hosting, WordPress hosting, VPS hosting, cloud hosting, managed hosting, and more.

In the Hostinger WordPress Starter plan, you can add up to 100 websites, get free email, an SSL certificate, unlimited bandwidth, managed WordPress, and more. You also get 1 free domain name, but you’ll need to purchase other domains.

The best part is that WPBeginner users can get up to 81% OFF on WordPress hosting plans. Simply click the link below to claim the offer.

→ Click Here to Claim This Exclusive Hostinger Offer ←

Another advantage of using Hostinger WordPress plans is that WordPress comes pre-installed. You don’t have to manually install WordPress for your websites.

If you’re looking for alternatives, then you can also use Bluehost or SiteGround to add multiple sites to one server.

Purchasing Domain Names for Your Website

After choosing a web hosting platform, the next step is to purchase domain names that you’ll need to host on a server.

Hostinger lets you buy a new domain or transfer an existing domain. To purchase a domain, simply go to the ‘Domains’ tab from your Hostinger dashboard.

From here, simply select the ‘Get a new domain’ option.

Next, you can search for a domain name.

Go ahead and enter a keyword or brand name in the search bar.

From here, you’ll see a list of URL options along with different domain extensions and prices.

Simply select an option you want and click the ‘Buy domain’ button.

Next, a popup will open with different billing periods for your domain name.

Go ahead and choose a billing period.

After that, you can complete the checkout process by choosing a payment method and purchasing the domain name.

You can repeat this process to purchase as many additional domains as you’d like.

Alternative Method: If you don’t want to buy a domain from Hostinger, then there are many domain registrars that allow you to register a domain name with ease. For instance, you can use Domain.com as it offers top-level extensions, an easy domain registration process, and a bunch of features.

Adding Multiple WordPress Sites to One Server

After selecting a hosting provider and buying domain names, you can add multiple sites to one server.

From your Hostinger dashboard, you can go to the ‘Websites’ tab and click on the + Create or migrate a website option.

Next, Hostinger will walk you through the process of creating a new website on the same server.

For instance, you can select a website type. This includes an online store, blog, business, portfolio, and other types.

After that, you’ll need to select whether you’d like to create or migrate a website.

If you already have a website on another hosting platform, then you can transfer it to Hostinger. Simply select the ‘Migrate my website’ option and follow the steps.

For this tutorial, we will select the ‘Create a new website’ option.

Next, you can select a platform to build a new website. Hostinger will offer 2 methods, where you can use WordPress with artificial intelligence (AI) or use Hostinger’s website builder with AI to create a site.

Go ahead and choose the ‘WordPress with AI’ option.

From here, you’ll need to enter login details for your account.

Simply choose a language, select an administrator email, enter a password, and click the ‘Continue’ button.

In the next step, Hositnger will ask you to add WordPress plugins to your site.

You can simply select the plugins you want to install and click the ‘Continue’ button.

After that, you will need to select a website design.

Hostinger will load the default theme, but you can click the ‘Browse more templates’ option to view more designs.

From here, you can choose a different theme for your website.

You can also click the ‘Show More’ button at the bottom to load more templates.

Once you’re done, simply choose a design and click the ‘Select’ button.

Next, Hostinger will ask you to enter a brand name and a description of your business.

It uses ChatGPT to generate a few pieces of content for your website. Once you are done, simply click the ‘Continue’ button.

You can also skip this step by entering a name and brief description and then clicking the ‘Skip, I will write content later’ option at the bottom.

After that, you’ll need to enter a name for your website. Hostinger will show 2 options, you can either select the ‘buy a domain or ‘use an existing domain’ option.

If you haven’t purchased a domain name yet, then you can select the ‘Buy a Domain’ option and get one with Hostinger.

However, if you already have multiple domains on another provider, then you can select the ‘Use an Existing Domain’ option.

For this tutorial, let’s choose the ‘Use an Existing Domain’ option.

Next, you will need to enter the domain name and click the ‘Continue’ button.

A popup window will now open with details for pointing the domain to Hostinger nameservers.

You can see your domain’s existing nameservers and the required nameservers you’d need to change in the domain registration service. The instructions will vary depending on the domain registrar you’re using.

If you need help with domain transfer, then Hostinger offers step-by-step guides and documentation. You can also reach out to their support for further assistance.

Note: You’ll also need to ensure that the domain you’re transferring is not locked by the current registrar and that 60 days have passed since initial registration.

After noting down the nameservers, you can click the ‘Continue’ button.

Hostinger will then start to set up your website. It will take a few minutes for the setup to complete.

The final step is to click the ‘Connect’ button under the Connect Your Domain option after you’ve set nameservers in your domain registrar.

Once connected, you can view your website from the Hostinger dashboard.

Simply visit the ‘Websites’ tab to see your newly added site.

You can now repeat these steps and click the ‘+ Create or migrate a website’ option to add as many websites as you want to a single server.

Bonus: How to Create More Sites Using WordPress Multisite

A WordPress multisite allows you to run and manage multiple websites from a single WordPress installation. You’ll see multisite networks used by large corporations that need separate domains for each department, universities and schools, news outlets, online businesses, and more.

There is a slight difference between hosting multiple sites on a single server and a WordPress multisite.

In a multisite, you have the same parent domain (example.com), and the new sites are subdomains (blog.example.com). They can share plugins, users, and other elements based on your settings.

On the other hand, hosting multiple sites on a single server means you have different domain names for each website. They’re all completely separate from one another.

You can easily set up a WordPress multisite using any web hosting service, including Hostinger. Once it’s set up, you’ll be able to add multiple sites to the network and manage them from the same dashboard on one server.

To learn more, please see our guide on how to install and setup a WordPress multisite network.

We hope this article helped you learn how to host multiple websites on one server. You may also want to see our guide on how much does it cost to build a WordPress website and the best GoDaddy alternatives.

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 Host Multiple Websites on One Server (Beginner’s Guide) first appeared on WPBeginner.

November 7, 2022

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.

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.

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
Method 2: Buy Domain Name Anonymously Using Bluehost
Method 3: Buy Domain Name Anonymously Using GoDaddy

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 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.

Next, you will need to select a pricing plan.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.