Racking your brain to find the perfect domain registrar for your business? Our article enlisting the best domain registrars in 2023 is here to alleviate all your worries. Read on to discover which platform best fits your business needs.
An essential element of marketing your business online is having a domain name that reflects your brand’s spirit. Having a memorable and easy-to-type domain name is highly beneficial for your brand.
The process of choosing a domain registrar is more complicated than it looks. From choosing a domain registrar that offers the lowest prices to getting the best deal on domain renewal, many factors must be considered.
Additionally, there are some domain registrars that offer all-in-one services, including domain registration, hosting and website design. Undeniably cost is a major deciding factor, but these factors should also be considered to make a well-rounded decision.
Whether you need a unique domain name or are looking to register a domain for the long term, you’ll find something that satisfies your needs in this list. Our article covers all aspects one needs to consider before finalizing a domain registrar for your business.
So, without further ado, let’s get started with the best domain registrars for your business in 2023.
Contents
Best Domain Registrars – Our Recommendations for Your Business
It’s imperative to give the same importance to choosing your domain registrar as you would to selecting a name for your business. In this article, we’ll discuss the best domain registrars in the industry.
1. Domain.com
Best for short-term website projects
Pricing starts at $9.99 for the first year
Domain.com’s speed and reliability as a web hoster make it the most popular domain name registrar. Those who want their website hosted on the same platform that they register it on will find it to be a great choice.
The platform also gives you access to various domain management tools like private registration, easy transfer, DNS management etc. You can avail email, web hosting, SSL certificates and malware protection for minimal rates from domain.com compared to other platforms in this list. Additionally, the platform also provides domain privacy and DDoS protection bundled in one at slashed rates.
You can easily search what extension is the best for your website from their extensive list of domains with their quick domain search tool. You also get a lot of options for premium and top-level domain extensions over 25 country codes here.
With domain.com, you can only register a domain for a period of 5 years at once, and subsequent renewals are locked at a higher price.
The platform also boasts of a helpful customer support team that can be contacted via live chat or email. To further provide additional support, domain.com also houses extensive and helpful guides.
2. GoDaddy
Best for all-in-one domain registrar
Pricing starts at $19.99 per year
The most renowned name on this list, GoDaddy is undoubtedly the world’s biggest domain registrar. They manage an impressive portfolio of more than 84 million domain names.
GoDaddy has a wide variety of domain extensions to choose from. It especially appeals to web beginners looking for a bundle deal on hosting and domain registration.
It is an easy-to-use domain management interface that offers functionalities like domain transfer, server name changing, contact information updation, bulk order domain renewals and other domain setting customizations. It also has a suite of powerful web services like hosting, website builder, email marketing etc.
Although their prices are highly competitive, they offer significant discounts in the first year.
3. Network Solutions
Best for lengthy duration domain registration
Pricing starts at $25 per month
A pioneer in domain registration, network solutions is a great choice both for its domain registration and hosting services. With network solutions, you can register various domains, including .com, .net, .biz etc., among other niche TLDs.
You can either register a completely new domain or search for premium domains. You can also bid on an expired domain name to purchase it. For the same, the company enlists expired or near-expiry domain names to select from.
There is one aspect that sets network solutions apart from others on this list: if you wish to purchase an already registered domain name, you can also make an offer through its certified offer service to its current owner.
The platform also offers web hosting, website builder, SEO services, and even IT support, among other domain management services.
Network solutions provide free private registration for the first month, after which the auto-renewal costs $1.99 per month. With the purchase of its hosting plans, you also get a free SSL certificate and a domain name.
Best of all, the platform also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee if you are not satisfied with the quality of their services. (apart from your registered domain name)
4. Namecheap
Best for affordable domain registration
Pricing starts at $9.48 per year
Managing more than 5 million domains, Namecheap is a fully ICANN-accredited domain registrar and website host domain. You can search for both an individual domain or in batches of up to 50. The available domains are bifurcated and displayed across four categories: popular, new, discounted and international, making it easy to find what you need.
And if you have set your sight on an already registered domain, you can also make an offer to its current owner via the platform’s Whois record service.
Their domain search tools help you find the best domain name for your business by offering suggestions. Add-on services like domain privacy, premium DNS etc., can also be availed from there. Their domain transfer process is also the smoothest compared to others in this list.
Namecheap’s billing policies are very transparent. The domains are modestly priced, and so are their renewal fees. You also get WhoisGuard domain privacy for free with your purchase. Furthermore, if you have any doubts about their offerings, FAQ pages and live chat are a click away.
5. Bluehost
Best for first-time website builders
Pricing starts at $12.99 per year
Need a reasonably priced domain registrar? Bluehost is here to your rescue. Even their popular hosting plans are very affordably priced, making it the perfect solution for people looking for a good deal on the whole.
In addition to being an official WordPress partner, it also comes with auto-renewal, so your preferred domain doesn’t get poached in case of any lapses in renewal. To ensure that you get the preferred domain, Bluehost comes with an intuitive search system. (along with suggestions if you don’t find the one you like)
With Bluehost, you get added domain privacy and protection with your purchase, meaning your details aren’t publicly available via Whois. You also get access to helpful features like unlimited subdomain addition, malware protection, professional emails etc.
Bluehost is also known for its proactive customer support. You can easily contact them via live chat or connect through call.
Bluehost also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee if you don’t find their offerings satisfactory.
6. Google Domains
Best for all-inclusive domain registration
Pricing starts at $9 per year
For those who need a simple, no-frills attached domain registrar, Google domains is a great option. Even the basic plans come with privacy protection, 24/7 customer support, two-step verification, Google cloud DNS and domain & sub-domain forwarding.
And for every purchase that you make on Google domains, you get a free Whois privacy as a bundled deal.
There’s a specific reason why people prefer Google domains; you can easily put out Google ads with it. So, if you are planning to utilize Google ads, it’s best to opt for Google domains as your domain registrar. Additionally, Google domains also come with built-in email forwarding.
Speed and simplicity are the USPs of Google domains. There’s minimum upselling on the platform. Even domain transfer is an easy process with Google domains.
Another big advantage of choosing Google domains is the extensive customer support that they provide. It easily triumphs over the other platforms mentioned in the list, with email, chat and 24/7 phone support.
There’s one issue with Google domains though. It does not support all domain extensions. Meaning you might have to opt for other platforms if you are looking for something beyond the popular extensions that Google does not offer.
7. Hover
Best for people with multiple domain needs
Pricing starts at $12.99 per year
Popular for its simplicity, Hover has been going around strong since 2008.
Hover has a straightforward website that allows you to check registration prices before you start. You can scroll through this page to determine the different domains and their prices. You can utilize their search box to find available top-level domains.
There’s also a handy sidebar that filters domains into business, personal, audio & video, food & drink etc., ensuring you don’t miss out on any domain.
Hover allows you to register a domain and also offers a free professional email with it. This domain can then conveniently be connected with Facebook, Etsy, Instagram and the likes. These domains also come with a free Whois privacy. But keep in mind, if you choose Hover, you’ll have to find separate web hosting.
You can register a domain for upto ten years with Hover. And if you are buying domains in bulk, they offer discounted rates.
If your domain is newer than 60 days, the domain transfer process is easy with Hover. However, there is a fee of $12.99 involved. Just make sure you don’t wait till the last 60 days or have any disputes associated with it.
8. HostGator
Best for web hosting with domain name registration
Pricing starts at $17.99 per year
If you need a web host that also offers domain registration, HostGator is the perfect fit for you. When you buy a domain from HostGator, you get access to easy-to-use and beginner-friendly DNS management tools.
HostGator features an intuitive domain search tool that helps you find a suitable name for your business.
As a domain registrar, it only offers common top-level domains like .com, .store, .biz, .org etc. For other premium domain extensions like .io, you’ll have to look somewhere else.
HostGator has premium pricing compared to other domain registrars. Both the purchase of a new domain and its subsequent renewal will cost you the same, so don’t expect any discounts there. You’ll also have to shell out extra cash to get domain privacy.
Apart from domain name and web hosting, HostGator has recently unveiled a new drag-and-drop website builder to aid first-timers.
And if you feel stuck anywhere in the process, there’s also 24/7 phone and live chat support available for help.
9. Porkbun
Best for creative domain extensions
Pricing starts at $8 per year
A newcomer in the domain registration world, Porkbun has made our list due to its affordable and competitive prices on new purchases and renewals. So, if you are looking for an affordable domain registrar that does not burn a hole in your pocket at every renewal, Porkbun is the place to go.
Additionally, Porkbun comes with a bunch of extras on every purchase: WhoIS privacy, and an SSL certificate. URL and email forwarding etc.
Wondering what makes Porkbun different from others on this list? Their creative domain offerings. Porkbun returns a lot of new and trending domain extensions when you search for keywords. You can register any domain like .studio, .review, .ink, .shop etc. on Porkbun. You can get any of these non-traditional extensions from Porkbun at modest prices.
Porkbun has an extensive and inexhaustible list of keywords and extensions that can be mixed and matched to find something that truly resonates with your brand. It also has a page full of trending extensions to help you make the right choice.
But this does not mean that you can’t use Porkbun to buy traditional domains like .com. These extensions, as well as their renewal, come at better pricing than other platforms mentioned in this list.
And if you end up absolutely loving the quirky and unique domain extension you have, you can register it upfront for a period of ten years.
10. Dreamhost
Best for registering .io domain at reasonable prices
Pricing starts at $8.99 per year
Popular for its web hosting capabilities, Dreamhost is a great option for getting bundled domain registration and web hosting. One of the oldest web hosting platforms, it offers a wide variety of hosting plans.
While its domain registration and renewal prices are average, but the .io extension is reasonably priced compared to its competitors.
In terms of freebies, you’ll get domain privacy when you register a domain, but there are no options to add DDoS protection. You can also avail email hosting and domain transfer by paying additional fees.
If you choose to go ahead with Dreamhost, be prepared to witness a lot of upselling during the checkout process.
Conclusion
We hope this article has clarified the factors you need to consider before selecting a domain registrar. Be sure to compare the first-time registration rate and any add-ons, renewal fees, and other services the platform offers.
Finding a reliable domain registrar that fits perfectly with your requirements, whether you are registering a new domain or buying in bulk for the long term, will help put your domain-related worries to rest.
And if you have are researching domain registrars for starting a new business online, we suggest you launch an online store for your business with Dukaan.
Start your 7-day free trial now!
FAQs
1. How do I buy a domain name?Your choice of domain registrar will help you find a domain name. Usually, domain registrars come with a search box where you can look up the names and extensions of your choice and check their availability.
2. Does it matter which domain registrar I use?
Yes, ofcourse. Not all domain registrars offer the same domain extensions, have different renewal policies and offer various add-ons. Based on your requirements, you need to analyze which platform caters closely to it and select likewise.
3. How do I permanently buy a domain name?
Well, you really can’t buy a domain name permanently. A few domain registrars offer a one-year registration, others might provide a ten-year or hundred-year registration or even provide auto-renewal to ensure you don’t lose your current name. You’ll have to look into what your domain registrar’s policies are.
4. Do I need a domain for a website?
Although it is possible to create a website without a domain name, we highly recommend against it. Without a domain name, you won’t be able to brand and market your business properly. Additionally, it makes your business appear more professional and helps with ranking on search engines.
5. Does it matter which domain registrar I use?
As long as you are satisfied with your domain registrar’s services, it doesn’t matter where you bought it from. You have complete freedom to purchase a domain name from anywhere you like based on its availability.
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