How To Choose A Domain Provider For Your Website

What's common to Google, Yahoo, Shopify and Mailchimp?

They're all domain registrars. Like hundreds of others Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) has licensed around the world.

The popular ones internationally are Bluehost, BuyDomains, DreamHost, GoDaddy, HostGator, Hostinger, Ionos, Namecheap, Network Solutions etc. In alphabetical order. We're not playing favourites here. :)

Can you own a domain name? Nah. You can merely rent it. For a year. Or two years. All the way up to 10 years. Max.

You may be wondering: Does it matter which one we choose? Yup, it does. Not all registrars are the same.

So what should you look for? Before you sign up with one of them? What are the important questions to ask?

Let’s jump right in. 

First things first

• Do you need a top-level domain (TLD) only? Like .com or .net or .org or .biz? Or do you need a special extension? Like .pro, .tech, .shop, .info etc? If you do, does the registrar have the licence or accreditation for it? Are you looking to register individual country code domains? Like .sg, .in or .us?
• Do you prefer a premium domain name? One that is already registered but available for sale? Because it is shorter? Simpler to remember? Easier to use for branding?
• Does the registrar limit the number of subdomains you can have?
• Want to register and administer multiple domains in bulk? Does the registrar's admin interface allow that easily?
  

And then ...

Add-ons

• Do you need a web hosting service? To go with your domain? Website building tools? SEO services? An email account or email forwarding service? Business email marketing?
• Does the registrar offer these as a bundled package? Either readymade or mix-and-match?
• Is the registrar a specific fit for your preferred web platform or content management system (CMS)? Like Wordpress, Wix or WooCommerce? Are they an authorised hosting partner for that platform? Do they support plugins commonly used on that platform?

One other thing ...

Hygiene factors

• Does the registrar have a stable and reliable network? With high uptime?
• Do they have an acceptable site speed performance?
• How easy is it to use their control panel? For instance, to update your contact details? Or edit your Domain Name System (DNS) records? To change your nameservers?
• Do they protect you for a grace period when your domain or credit card expires? Do they offer auto-renewal? Else do they, at least, remind you to renew? Or do they promptly auction your expired domain name? To the highest bidder? Compelling you to buy it back? Heard this horror story before?

Did we just forget something?

Account and Domain Security

• Does your registrar offer two-factor authentication (2FA)?
• Do they issue and renew SSL certificates for free?
• How do they protect you against malware?
• How do they safeguard you against domain name hijacking?

And, of course, everyone's favourite part ...

Pricing

• Minimum registration period one year? Two years?
• How much will you be paying annually for this initial registration period?
• What is their annual renewal fee? Don't be surprised if this is way higher.
• Does the registrar offer free domain privacy on the WHOIS database? This is the part where they replace your name, address and phone number with their own proxy. When submitting to ICANN. Isn't that interesting? Else your details remain publicly accessible. Exposing you to spam or nuisance dispute claims.
  

But that's not all ...

Convenience and user-friendliness

• Does the registrar have a search function for domain names already taken? Do they automatically offer alternative suggestions if so?
• Do they allow domain parking? Can you customise your 'Coming Soon' page? While waiting for your domain records to propagate around the web?
• ICANN requires that you stay with a registrar for at least 60 days. Before you can request to transfer over to another with, say, better professional support. Or with a more attractive offer. When it comes to that, will the existing registrar charge to unlock your domain? Will they delay the transfer?

Lastly ...

If or when things go wrong

• What support hours does your registrar offer? 24 X 7? Or 8 X 5?
• Through what support channels? Phone, live chat, support ticket, email, WhatsApp, Telegram etc?
• Is the Knowledge Base on their website written in simple enough language for self-help? And yet comprehensive enough?

Now to sum it up ...

So is there a universally best registrar for everyone? Nope. You choice will, of course, depend on your individual needs. What suits someone else may not be ideal for you.

Good luck deciding! :)

Let us know how it goes for you. In the comments below.

Until next time!