How do I get my own domain name?

“Could you please tell me how to get my own domain name?” is a question I have been asked so many times, I’ve kind of lost count. In brief, the process is really simple. All you need to do is to visit a domain registrar, find a suitable domain name and register it.

Contrary to what you may think or feel; no “special” technical knowledge is required – just a little common sense and that too only during the process of selecting a suitable domain name. As long as you know how to use a computer and browse the web, by following the tips and advice on this page you shall be able to get your own domain name in a few minutes.

But before we get into that, here are a few things you should know:

• Domain name are not free: You may find some companies advertising free domain names boldly on their web sites. This is a kind of marketing stunt to lure visitors into purchasing hosting, email accounts or other add-ons – the cost of the domain name is adjusted in the cost of the extras on offer.
• Registration of the domain name and renewal: Domain names are registered for a period of minimum one year. This means, domain names have a expiration date and need to be renewed. I generally register a domain name for at least 5 years. In addition to not having to keep track of the renewal and getting a better price on a multi-year registration, this has one other benefit. Search engines like Google may give your web site brownie points and give it a higher rank.
• Domain name, email and web site: getting your own domain name does not mean you’ll get your own email or a web site. These are extras that need to be purchased. We’ll hit upon this point below.

Where can you get a domain name?

Domain names can be purchased from domain name registrars. There are plenty of such companies but I advice getting your domain names from a reliable one such as www.GoDaddy.com. The company is now, and has been for a few years, the largest domain name registrar in the world. They are good and I say this from personal experience.

How to pick a domain name?

GoDaddy has a great promotion going on… dot-com domain names for only $0.99. Click the banner below to take advantage of this offer (ends 10^th October 2016).

Remember, domain names need to be unique. Like email addresses, no two people can have the same domain name. This also implies that if the domain name you searched for is unavailable, you need to choose another one. One simple trick is to change the extension (the TLD – Third-Level Domain).

The dot-com is the most popular TLD, but www.GoDaddy.com also offers many more which may be better suited for your needs.

Important advice: Getting a good domain name that will correctly reflect your online objectives can be frustrating as all suitable domain names may be unavailable but perseverance and patience are two virtues that will help you a lot during this process. I also suggest you read “what is a domain name” and country specific domain name for tips.

Once you do get a domain name of your choosing, all you need to do is create an account on GoDaddy by entering details (such as your name, contact address etc.) and forwarding the payment. It’s like buying a product online and is a simple process.

Can I ask someone else to register my own domain?

Please don’t! Registering a domain name on your own will ensure that it belongs to you and no one can have a control over it. And talking about control, each domain name is associated with three contacts – Administrative contact determines who manages it and is probably the most important, the Billing contact specifies who is responsible for the renewal and the Technical contact points to the person who governs the technical aspect. Ideally, all the three should be in your name and carry your postal as well as your email address.

How much does a domain name cost?

Domain names are pretty cheap costing about $10-$15 for one year. The cost will decrease if you register a domain name for multiple years such as 5 or 10, and this is what I advise. The price also varies depending on the extension of the domain name. For example, the cost of a country specific .co.uk may be higher than a .com.

Will buying a domain name get me email or a web site?

No! When you register a domain name, that’s all you get! You can purchase email accounts and a basic web site along with the domain name and this is why I highly recommend www.GoDaddy.com – they make the process very easy for beginners. And they generally have great deals if you buy a full package from them.

Important last words

Please understand, a domain name is simply a name – an online identity. It is very important that you register this with a reliable company such as www.GoDaddy.com. If you lose your domain name, you will not be able to use any email accounts associated with it and will also have to change your web site address. Do not go to companies that offer domain names at a slightly cheaper price because if they shut down their business (and this happens frequently), you would be left high and dry.