Your domain name is how visitors easily find you online. It is often the first step in getting your website started because it is like establishing your website’s street address on the internet. If you did not have a domain name, you would have to give out your IP address to everyone who wanted to visit your website, which would get confusing and be easily forgotten.
Domain registrars are the companies responsible for registering and managing domain names for all websites around the world. There are a plethora of Domain Registrars, and choosing one can be difficult.
In this article, we will show you how to choose the best domain registrar by comparing their pros and cons.
Best Domain Name Registrars Compared
Below we offer an inside look into some of the biggest domain name registrars out there. Not every choice below will be the perfect fit for every situation, so take what we have to say, and do your research thoroughly.
| LOGO | Name | Pricing for TLDs (1st year) | Major Features | Link |
 | GoDaddy | $14.99/yr for .com domains. | Get Started | |
 | NameCheap | $8.88/yr for .com domains. | NameCheap domains come with free Whoisguard | Get Started |
 | Domain.com | $9.99/yr for .com domains. | Get Started | |
 | Bluehost | $11.99/yr for .com domains. | 24/7 Expert Support Privacy + Protection for 1 Year at $11.88 | Get Started |
Top 5 Things to Watch Out for When Choosing a Domain Name Registrar
You can go register domains at any domain registrars but there are some key factors to consider before making a purchase. A few are listed below:
Domain extension availability – do they sell the extension you are looking for?
Not all registrars sell all domains (top-level domains i.e TLDs –e.g.: .com, .org, .info, .edu, .co, etc.). And some extensions are only available at certain registrars that may not sell other services you need for your domain and website.
Pricing
We didn’t want to make this number one because we are a firm believer of “you get what you pay for” but also a realist in that we know a lot of people are looking at the cost of their domains. When you decide on the extension you want look at pricing. Registrars are free to price the domain extension at whatever price they want.
Marketing frequency – Some registrars send a lot of emails/ make a lot of phone calls/etc. to see if you want to buy other services they offer.
Sometimes this is a good thing if you are new to domains/web hosting and don’t know what you need. If you get a call about the registrar’s SEO services and aren’t seeing the traffic you were hoping for maybe they can help you. On the other hand if you know exactly what you need, buy it and still get these calls and emails you may be a little irritated.
Ancillary services – Do you need/Do they sell other services?
A domain is just that, just the domain name. Not the hosting/SEO/code behind the website/email marketing/etc. Do you need those other things? if you do it may or may not be easier for you to buy your domain from a registrar that offers all of those services.
Service and Support
Some registrars are very willing to spend a ton of time working with every end user to get set up and for issues along the way. Some aren’t. Where do you fall on that spectrum? Typically a registrar doesn’t make a ton of money on a domain registration but they make up margin when they sell their other products. And some promise a totally seamless and easy experience so this isn’t an issue.
Now, Best Domain Registrars to Buy a Domain Name
Here’s our full review of the best domain Registrars.
BlueHost
Bluehost was founded in 2003, it’s based out of Provo, UT. Endurance International Group (EIG), one of the largest hosting conglomerates on the planet, owns the company.
Over 2 million websites are hosted with Bluehost and WordPress.org also recommends Bluehost as their choice of a web host.
Bluehost is offering ThemeinWP users a free domain name, SSL certificate, and a discount on web hosting which is a perfect deal for anyone looking to make a website.
Basically, you can get started for $2.75 per month, and get a free domain name.
Bluehost Domains Pricing for Popular TLDs (First Year and Renewal)
| TLD | .com | .org | .net | .tech | .co |
| 1st Year (Purchase) | $11.99/yr | $8.99/yr | $12.99/yr | $4.99/yr | $9.99/yr |
| 2nd Year (Renewal) | $11.99/yr | $8.99/yr | $12.99/yr | $4.99/yr | $9.99/yr |
Bluehost sells a wide array of domain extensions. Including but not limited to: .com, .club, .co, .space, .us, .website, .org, .net, .me, .biz, .info, .host, .online, .site, .co.uk, and .org.uk. Plus many more.
Domain.com
Establishment in 2000, Domain.com specialize in affordable domain names, web hosting, Email, SSL certificates, web design, and online marketing services.
Domains Pricing for Popular TLDs (First Year and Renewal)
| TLD | .com | .org | .net | .tech | .co |
| 1st Year (Purchase) | $9.99/yr | $14.99/yr | $12.99/yr | $6.99/yr | $6.99/yr |
| 2nd Year (Renewal) | $11.99/yr | $14.99/yr | $15.99/yr | $44.99/yr | $29.99/yr |
Please click here for complete price List
GoDaddy
Headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, GoDaddy is the world’s largest domain name registrar and the leader in the domain name industry with cheap price.
As of December 2019, GoDaddy has approximately 19 million customers, 78 million domain names and over 9,000 employees working worldwide.
Major Highlights of the GoDaddy
- Large, trusted brand in the domain name registry industry
- Easy to purchase and select a domain name
- Website seems easy to navigate and understand the offerings
- 24/7 customer support
- A wide range of services with GoDaddyPro
- Customer support representatives are helpful and knowledgeable
- Accredited ICANN
NameCheap
As a leading domain registrar that is accredited by ICANN, Namecheap has developed a strong market share since it was founded in 2000. Namecheap has provided over 4 million domain names to customers throughout the world. Although Namecheap’s core business is domain registry services, it provides additional services including web hosting, email hosting, security and cloud-based services.
Major Highlights of the NameCheap Domains
- Good service and security features
- ICANN Accreditation
- Domains are simple to transfer
- Minimal upsell tactics
- Knowledgeable help desk
- 24/7 customer support via help desk
- Competitive price points for all services
NameCheap Domains Pricing for Popular TLDs (First Year and Renewal)
| TLD | .com | .org | .net | .io | .co |
| 1st Year (Purchase) | $8.88/yr | $11.98/yr | $11.98/yr | $25.88/yr | $4.88/yr |
| 2nd Year (Renewal) | $12.98/yr | $14.98/yr | $14.98/yr | $30.88/yr | $25.98/yr |
Please click here for complete price List
Our conclusion on the top domain registrars
The registrars listed above are all reputable, reliable and offer accessible customer support. They all have high domain registrar ratings.
Which registrar is best suited for your needs depends on where your priorities are. For instance, if you’re looking for the lowest possible price, you might not get many free features. Your best bet is to understand exactly what you need in a domain registrar before you start shopping around.
Finding the right domain registrar will help your business grow and thrive. Plus, a reliable registrar will provide you with peace of mind for years to come.