Selecting the right domain registrar can be difficult to create an online presence. Handpicking a registrar requires consideration of a wide range of intricate criteria, including functionality, cost, and customer support options. There are approximately 628.5 million registered domains across the world.
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Making an informed choice in the market is difficult due to the abundance of possibilities available.
"Selecting a domain registrar is an important step as there’s a long association once you purchase it. Therefore, select the one that represents your brand and helps increase the credibility. Select from the list of best domain registrars and make the right choice"
We will look into the many facets of domain registrars, including the numerous kinds of registrars that are accessible, their separate roles, and the key elements you should consider when choosing a registrar.
What Is A Domain Registrar?
A domain registrar is an entity or institution that provides domain name registration service to individuals or businesses that intend to establish an online presence. To create a website, a domain name is an absolute must, as it serves as the online address for a website such as google.com.
Personal data, including name, address, and contact information, must be provided as part of the domain name registration process. This data is then recorded into a database known as the domain name registry. All registered domain names are listed in this database.
The best domain registration provider essentially acts as a middleman between the registrant (the individual or business intending to register the domain name) and the regulatory body, Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) oversees the allocation of domain names and IP addresses on the internet.
Also read: Things to Consider Before Developing Ecommerce Website
How to Choose a Domain Name Registrar?
Any person or company seeking to have an online presence must make the essential decision of selecting a domain name registrar. Determining which registrar best suits your needs can be overwhelming, with so many options available. The following are some things to take into account while selecting a domain name registrar:
- Cost – Different registration and renewal costs are assessed by most domain registrars. It’s critical to evaluate costs and be aware of any additional costs for services like privacy protection or domain transfers.
- Domain name extension – Check to see if the registrar provides the domain name extension(s) you require for your website. Make sure the registrar can supply, for instance, abx.com domain name if it is what you desire.
- User Interface – A user-friendly control panel and management interface can make the process of managing your domain name easier. Make sure the registrar’s interface is easy to use and navigate.
- Customer Support – Look for a registrar that offers customer support via multiple channels, such as phone, email, or chat. Also, make sure that customer support is available 24/7 in case of any issues.
- Security – Ensure that the registrar offers security features such as two-factor authentication and SSL certificates to protect your domain name and website.
- Reputation – Research the registrar’s reputation by reading reviews and checking their accreditation with organizations like ICANN.
Considering these factors, you can make an informed decision when choosing a domain name registrar that aligns with your needs and goals.
List of 20 Best Domain Registrars
In order to choose the best domain registrar, you need to do thorough research and find the one that best fits your requirement. Below is the list of the top 20 best domain name registrars that you can consider.
Software Name | Free Trial | Domain flipping | Non-traditional TLDs |
|---|---|---|---|
| NameCheap | 14-day Free Trial | Has a Marketplace for Buying and Selling Domains. | .ai, .co, and .io. |
| Godaddy | 30-day free trial | Offers domain auction services and tools for domain investors. | .club, .ninja, and .guru. |
| Bluehost | 30-day money-back guarantee | Does not offer specific tools or resources for domain flipping | .biz, .club, and .tv. |
| Hostgator | 45-day money-back guarantee | Does not offer specific tools or resources for domain flipping. | .space, .website, and .tech. |
| Dreamhost | 97-day money-back guarantee | Does not offer specific tools or resources for domain flipping. | .club, .io, and .design. |
| Network Solutions | Does not offer a free trial | Offers domain auction services, but does not have specific tools or resources for domain flipping | .online, .store, and .tech. |
| Shopify | 14-day free trial | Does not offer specific tools or resources for domain flipping. | .store, .xyz, and .online. |
| Squarespace | 14-day free trial | Does not offer specific tools or resources for domain flipping. | .io, .me, and .co. |
| Wix | 14-day free trial | Does not offer specific tools or resources for domain flipping. | .design, .agency, and .photography. |
| Hostinger | 30-day money-back guarantee | Does not offer specific tools or resources for domain flipping. | .xyz, .online, and .site. |
| Siteground | 30-day money-back guarantee | Does not offer specific tools or resources for domain flipping. | .app, .dev, and .shop. |
| Google Domains | Does not offer a free trial | Does not offer specific tools or resources for domain flipping. | .app, .dev, and .page. |
| Name.com | 30-day money-back guarantee | Offers domain auction services, but does not have specific tools or resources for domain flipping | .club, .design, and .ninja. |
| Hover | 30-day money-back guarantee | Does not offer specific tools or resources for domain flipping. | .io, .blog, and .design. |
| Gandi.net | 30-day money-back guarantee | Offers domain auction services, but does not have specific tools or resources for domain flipping. | .io, .tech, and .cloud. |
| 1&1 IONOS | 30-day free trial | Does not offer specific tools or resources for domain flipping. | .online, .club, and .shop. |
| Register.com | 30-day free trial | Does not offer specific tools or resources for domain flipping. | .design, .blog, and .online. |
| Enom | 30-day money-back guarantee | Offers domain auction services, but does not have specific tools or resources for domain flipping | .tech, .club, and .online. |
| Domain.com | 30-day free trial | Does not offer specific tools or resources for domain flipping. | .blog, .club, and .design. |
| iPage | 30-day money-back guarantee | Does not offer specific tools or resources for domain flipping. | .club, .ninja, and .tech. |
1. Namecheap
Namecheap
A reputable domain registrar, Namecheap, provides cost-effective and dependable domain registration, transfer, and management services. In addition, they offer SSL certificates, email hosting, web hosting, and more.
Features
- Free domain privacy protection to keep your personal information safe.
- DNS management and advanced security features are included with every domain.
- Accessible domain management tools.
Best for
- Individuals and small businesses who want a budget-friendly domain registrar with easy-to-use management tools.
- Those who want reliable customer support and free domain privacy protection.
Pricing
Domain registration starts at $8.88 per year for a .com domain.
2. GoDaddy
GoDaddy
GoDaddy is a popular domain registrar that offers a wide range of domain registration and web hosting services. They also offer website-building tools, email hosting, and more.
Features
- Over 330 top-level domains to choose from.
- Domain privacy protection available for an additional fee.
- Hosting options include shared hosting, VPS hosting, and dedicated hosting.
Best for
- Small businesses and individuals who want a variety of hosting and website-building options.
- Those who want a domain registrar with a wide range of top-level domains to choose from.
Pricing
Domain registration starts at $0.99 for the first year, then renews at $14.99 per year for a .com domain.
3. Bluehost
Bluehost
Bluehost is a web hosting company that also offers domain registration services. They provide reliable hosting services for websites of all sizes, including shared hosting, VPS hosting, and dedicated hosting.
Features
- Free domain name registration for the first year.
- One-click WordPress installation and easy-to-use website builder tools.
- Unlimited storage and bandwidth for shared hosting plans.
- Free SSL certificates to keep your website secure.
Best for
- Small businesses and bloggers who want a user-friendly platform to host their website.
- Those who want to build their website using WordPress or a website builder tool.
- Those who want reliable customer support and free domain registration.
Pricing
Shared hosting plans start at $2.95 per month for the first term, then $7.99 monthly.
4. HostGator
HostGator
HostGator is a popular domain registrar that offers affordable hosting and domain registration services. It provides a wide range of hosting options, including shared, VPS, and dedicated hosting.
Features
- Provides unlimited disk space and bandwidth.
- Offers a user-friendly control panel and a 45-day money-back guarantee.
- Provides a free domain name with select hosting plans.
- Provides free website migration services.
Best for
Small businesses and bloggers who require affordable hosting solutions.
Pricing
The pricing starts at $2.75/month.
5. DreamHost
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DreamHost
DreamHost is a web hosting company that provides domain registration services, shared, VPS, and dedicated hosting plans. It is known for its customer support and reliability.
Features
- Provides unlimited storage and bandwidth.
- Offers a user-friendly control panel and a 97-day money-back guarantee.
- Provides free domain privacy with all domain registrations.
- Offers a free website builder and one-click WordPress installation.
Best for
Those who need reliable hosting with excellent customer support.
Pricing
The pricing starts at $2.59/month.
6. Network Solutions
Network Solutions
Network Solutions is a domain registrar that also provides web hosting, website building, and online marketing services. It has been in the business for over 30 years and offers a variety of domain extensions.
Features
- Network Solutions offers domain registration with over 700 TLDs and provides domain transfer services as well.
- It offers a free domain name with the purchase of a web hosting package.
- The platform provides 24/7 customer support via phone and email.
- Network Solutions offers domain locking and privacy protection to keep your domain secure.
Best for
Businesses and individuals looking for a domain registrar with a long-standing reputation in the industry.
Pricing
Domain prices start at $7.99 per year for the first year, with renewal prices ranging from $15 to $35 per year, depending on the TLD.
7. Shopify
Shopify
Shopify is a popular e-commerce platform that allows businesses to set up an online store and sell products online. They offer a variety of features to help businesses manage their online store, including website hosting, payment processing, and inventory management.
Features
- Easy to set up and use, even for those without technical knowledge
- Multiple themes and templates available for website design
- Payment processing integrated with major payment gateways
- Mobile app available for managing store on the go
Best for
Businesses looking to set up an online store and sell products online.
Pricing
Basic Shopify plan starts at $29/month.
8. Squarespace
Squarespace
Squarespace is a website builder that offers a variety of templates and tools to help individuals and businesses create a professional-looking website. They offer a drag-and-drop editor that makes it easy to customize website design, and their templates are mobile responsive.
Features
- Professional-looking templates available for website design
- Drag-and-drop editor for easy customization
- Mobile responsive templates
- Integration with various third-party services, including Google Analytics and Mailchimp
Best for
Individuals and small businesses looking for a simple and elegant website builder.
Pricing
Basic plan starts at $16/month.
9. Wix
Wix
Wix is a website builder that offers a drag-and-drop editor and a variety of templates to help individuals and businesses create a website. They offer a free plan for basic website building, and their premium plans offer additional features like e-commerce functionality and custom domain names.
Features
- Drag-and-drop editor for easy customization
- Variety of templates available for website design
- E-commerce functionality available on premium plans
- Mobile responsive templates
Best for
Individuals and small businesses looking for a simple and affordable website builder.
Pricing
Basic plan is free, premium plans start at $13/month.
10. Hostinger
Hostinger
Hostinger is a web hosting provider that offers shared hosting, VPS hosting, and cloud hosting services. They offer affordable prices and a variety of features to help businesses host their website and manage their online presence.
Features
- Affordable prices for shared hosting, VPS hosting, and cloud hosting
- Easy-to-use website builder for those without coding knowledge
- Free SSL certificate included with all hosting plans
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Best for
Small businesses and individuals looking for an affordable web hosting solution.
Pricing
Shared hosting starts at $0.99/month, VPS hosting starts at $3.95/month, cloud hosting starts at $9.99/month.
11. SiteGround
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SiteGround
SiteGround is a web hosting company that provides various hosting services such as shared hosting, cloud hosting, and dedicated servers. The company also offers domain registration services and website-building tools to help customers create and manage their websites.
Features
- Free SSL certificate with all hosting plans.
- Automatic daily backups and easy restores.
- SuperCacher technology for faster website loading speeds.
- 24/7 support via phone, chat, or ticket system.
- Advanced security features like anti-spam and anti-hack protection.
Best for
Small to medium-sized businesses, bloggers, and e-commerce sites.
Pricing
The pricing starts at $6.99 per month.
12. Google Domains
Google Domains
Google Domains is a domain registrar that offers domain registration, transfer, and management services. They also offer email hosting, multiple domains, website-building tools, etc.
Features
- Over 300 top-level domains to choose from.
- Professional email accounts and up to 100 aliases included.
- Free website building and hosting tools available.
- DNS management and advanced security features included with every domain.
Best for
- Those who want a simple and straightforward domain registrar with a focus on professional email accounts.
- Those who want a domain registrar with a wide range of top-level domains.
Pricing
Domain registration starts at $12 per year for a .com domain.
13. Name.com
Name.com is a popular domain registrar that provides easy domain registration and website hosting services. It is known for its simple and straightforward pricing.
Features
- Provides domain privacy protection and domain locking.
- Offers a user-friendly control panel and a mobile app for managing domains.
- Provides a wide range of domain extensions.
- Offers affordable website hosting services.
Best for
Small businesses and individuals who need simple domain registration and hosting services.
Pricing
The pricing starts at $4.99/year.
14. Hover
Hover is a domain registrar that focuses on simplicity and ease of use. It provides domain registration and website hosting services with a user-friendly interface.
Features
- Provides domain privacy protection and domain locking.
- Offers a simple and easy-to-use control panel.
- Provides a wide range of domain extensions.
- Offers website hosting services with one-click installs.
Best for
Those who prefer a simple and straightforward domain registration and hosting experience.
Pricing
The pricing starts at $12.99/year.
15. Gandi.net
Gandi.net is a domain registrar that focuses on privacy and security. It provides domain registration services along with website hosting and cloud computing solutions.
Features
- Provides free domain privacy protection and SSL certificates.
- Offers a user-friendly control panel and a mobile app for managing domains.
- Provides a wide range of domain extensions.
- Offers flexible cloud computing solutions.
Best for
Those who prioritize privacy and security in their domain registration and hosting services.
Pricing
The pricing starts at $15.50/year.
16. 1&1 IONOS
1&1 IONOS is a domain registrar that provides hosting, website building, and marketing services. It offers a wide range of domain extensions and also includes a free SSL certificate with all its domains.
Features
- 1&1 IONOS offers domain registration with over 700 TLDs (top-level domains) and provides domain transfer services as well.
- It provides a free SSL certificate with all domains.
- 1&1 IONOS offers 24/7 customer support via phone, email, and live chat.
- The platform has a user-friendly interface for easy domain management.
Best for
Small businesses and individuals looking for a one-stop shop for domain registration, hosting, and website building.
Pricing
Domain prices start at $1 for the first year, with renewal prices ranging from $15 to $45 per year depending on the TLD.
17. Register.com
Register.com is a domain registrar that offers a variety of domain extensions, web hosting, and website-building services. It provides a user-friendly interface for easy domain management.
Features
- Register.com offers domain registration with over 300 TLDs and provides domain transfer services as well.
- It offers domain locking and privacy protection to keep your domain secure.
- Register.com also provides website-building services and email hosting.
Best for
Businesses and individuals looking for a domain registrar with a user-friendly interface and website-building services.
Pricing
Domain prices start at $5.95 per year for the first year, with renewal prices ranging from $38 to $78 per year depending on the TLD.
18. Enom
Enom is a domain registrar that offers a variety of domain extensions, as well as web hosting and email services. It provides a user-friendly interface for easy domain management.
Features
- Enom offers domain registration with over 400 TLDs and provides domain transfer services as well.
- The platform provides 24/7 customer support via phone and email.
- It offers domain locking and privacy protection to keep your domain secure.
- Enom also provides web hosting and email services.
Best for
Businesses and individuals looking for a domain registrar with a user-friendly interface and additional web hosting and email services.
Pricing
Domain prices start at $13.95 per year for the first year, with renewal prices ranging from $13.95 to $39.95 per year depending on the TLD.
19. Domain.com
Domain.com is a domain registrar that offers domain registration, website hosting, and website building services. They have a simple and user-friendly website that allows customers to search and register for domain names easily. They offer affordable prices for domain registration, and their website builder is easy to use for those without coding knowledge.
Features
- Offers a wide range of domain extensions to choose from
- Simple and user-friendly website for domain registration
- Affordable prices for domain registration and hosting services
- Website builder available for customers to create their own website
Best for
Small businesses and individuals looking for an affordable option to register a domain and build a website.
Pricing
Domain registration starts at $9.99/year, and website hosting starts at $3.75/month.
20. iPage
iPage is a hosting service provider that provides web hosting services to small businesses, individuals, and organizations. The company offers shared hosting, VPS hosting, WordPress hosting, and dedicated hosting services. It also provides features like domain registration, email hosting, and marketing services.
Features
- Unlimited storage, bandwidth, and email accounts with all hosting plans.
- Free domain registration for the first year.
- Free website builder with thousands of templates and mobile-friendly designs.
- 24/7 support via phone, chat, or email.
- Eco-friendly hosting with wind energy credits.
Best for
Small businesses, personal websites, bloggers, and startups.
Pricing
The pricing starts at $1.99 per month.
Conclusion
There are numerous domain registrars and web hosting platforms available in the market, each with its own unique features and pricing plans. It is important to consider factors such as the size and type of your business, your website’s traffic and storage requirements, your budget, and your technical expertise before selecting a domain registrar or web hosting platform.
Also Read: What is Reseller Hosting
Ultimately, the choice of domain registrar or web hosting platform will depend on your specific needs and preferences. It is recommended to research and compare different options before making a decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
Some of the best domain registrars are Namecheap, Bluehost, and GoDaddy. It mainly depends on your specific needs and preferences. However, a few things to keep in mind when choosing a domain address are to make it easy to remember, easy to spell, and relevant to your brand or business.
Yes, you can permanently buy a domain name, but keep in mind that you will need to renew it regularly to keep it from expiring and becoming available for others to register.
The cost of a domain registration can vary depending on the registrar and the top-level domain (TLD) you choose. However, some of the cheapest domain registrars include Namecheap, Name.com, and 1&1 IONOS.
It is possible for someone to steal your domain name, but there are steps you can take to prevent this. For example, you can ensure your domain registration information is accurate and up-to-date, enable domain privacy protection, and use two-factor authentication to secure your account. Additionally, some domain registrars offer domain lock services that can prevent unauthorized transfers of your domain.
Rohit Rajpal is an accomplished writer and data enthusiast passionate about unraveling the intricacies of information and data. With a deep understanding of the subject matter, Rohit strives to simplify complex concepts and make them accessible to readers. Rohit’s expertise in the field and his knack for clear and concise communication make his blog an invaluable resource for those seeking clarity in the data-driven world.
