Do you need a domain name? Discover the top 3 registrars to buy yours today!
The previous article discussed whether buying multiple domains is worth it for SEO. In this article, we will talk about where to buy domain names.
Buying a domain name is usually the first step in your web journey. The first step is to find the domain name for your business or project. You’ll want to keep it simple and avoid long domain names so people can remember it easily.
Then you must choose the extension: .com, .net, .org, etc. We recommend getting the .com if possible, as this is the one most people recognize. However, it might already be taken, so we suggest .co or .ca if you have a Canadian business.
If you’re out of ideas, we suggest using the following site to help you find the domain name for your project:
Domain Name Generator »
But first, let’s talk about domain privacy
Domain privacy, often referred to as WHOIS privacy, is a vital feature that safeguards your personal information when purchasing a domain name.
When you register a domain, certain personal details such as your name, email address, phone number, and physical address become publicly accessible through the WHOIS database.
This is where domain privacy comes in, serving as a shield to protect your identity behind the domain name.
Opting for domain privacy replaces your personal information with generic details provided by the domain registrar.
This means that anyone attempting to look up the ownership details of your domain will see the registrar’s information instead of your own.
Not opting for domain privacy can expose you to various risks and consequences. Here’s why it’s essential:
- Spam and Unsolicited Contact: Without privacy protection, marketers, spammers, and other parties can easily access your email address and other contact details, leading to an influx of unwanted emails, calls, or even physical mail.
- Identity Theft Risks: More malicious actors may use your personal information for fraudulent activities, including identity theft. This could result in financial loss, damage to your reputation, and a great deal of stress and time spent on resolution.
- Competitor Insight: Your competitors could use your information to gain insights into your business activities, potentially providing them with an unintended advantage.
- Domain Hijacking Vulnerability: Without privacy protection, your domain becomes a more attractive target for domain hijackers who may attempt to transfer ownership without your consent.
- Personal Safety Concerns: If your physical address becomes publicly available, it might expose you or your family to unwanted attention or even harassment.
Domain privacy is more than just a convenient option; it’s a critical security measure protecting your personal and professional interests.
While it may come at an additional cost with some registrars, the potential consequences of not having it make the investment well worth it. It’s a small price to pay for peace of mind and the assurance that your personal information remains confidential.
Our top 3 of the best domain name companies
Here are the three companies we usually buy domain names from; we chose these because they are easy to use, have a great interface, and offer robust support:
GoDaddy
They have amazing support, even phone support, which is quite rare these days. They also offer lots of different domain extensions like .coffee and many other original ones. They are more pricey, and domain privacy is an extra $10 per year.
Amazon Web Services
The user interface is a bit less user-friendly and more tech-savvy, but it’s really cheap to buy a domain name, and privacy is included. They do not have .ca, however.
Namecheap
We love this company also, with its simple user interface and very good prices. Domain privacy is usually included.
Which one to choose?
Overall, they are all great options, but if you are not tech-savvy, we recommend Godaddy, as they offer great support.
If you plan on using other services at Amazon Web Services, we recommend going with them, as it will be easier to integrate with other services.
Lastly, Namecheap is great if you have experience with domain management and don’t want to spend too much on a domain.
Also, we always recommend buying your domain name separately from your hosting, as you can keep the two independent in case you want to switch hosting companies in the future.
And one more thing … make sure auto-renewal is on because if your domain expires, it is up for grabs, and someone could potentially purchase your domain after expiration and try to sell it back to you for a profit. Make sure you know where your domain was purchased and that you have access to the account over there.
Please contact us if you have questions about domain names.
