How to buy and register a domain name
How to buy and register a domain name
Choose a suitable name, verify its current availability with a registrar, review the registration and renewal terms, and register it in an account you control. Then configure your website and email records. A domain registration is separate from hosting and from registering a business name.
Check availability at the point of purchase
Enter the exact domain at your chosen registrar. An unregistered name may still be reserved, restricted or premium-priced. A registered name may be offered for resale under separate terms. Confirm the exact spelling, ASCII form for an internationalized name, term length and checkout total before paying. This website does not check registration availability.
Compare the total cost rather than the introductory offer
Record the first-year charge, annual renewal, transfer charge, taxes, currency and optional services separately. Use a simple worksheet: three-year budget = initial registration + two renewals + required extras + applicable taxes. Obtain every input from the registrar’s current quote; there is no universal annual domain price. Resale prices and registry premium renewals can differ substantially from ordinary registrations.
Keep registration under your control
Use accurate contact details and an account owned by the business or intended registrant. Enable strong authentication and save recovery information securely. If a developer registers the name for you, agree who controls the account and how access is handed over. Complete any verification requested by the registrar and record the renewal date.
Connect hosting and email deliberately
Save the DNS records supplied by your website host and email provider before making changes. Website records and email records serve different purposes; changing nameservers without recreating mail records can interrupt delivery. Keep a copy of the old configuration, follow the providers’ setup instructions and test both website access and email after the change.
Plan renewals and future transfers
Set a renewal reminder and keep the payment method and contact address current. Before transferring to another registrar, check eligibility and locks with both providers, obtain the required authorization information securely and preserve your DNS configuration. Transfer restrictions vary with the domain and its recent history; use ICANN’s transfer guidance and the registrar’s current terms instead of assuming all names can move immediately.
Continue planning your domain
Sources
Sources checked 2026-10-15.
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