If you are new to domain buying, you might get overwhelmed by the sheer number of options. There are 2,400+ domain registrars, most of which offer the same services. But even in this crowded marketplace, you can always look for the best value for money. Here are the factors you should look out for.
Promotional Offers
As we have seen, domain registration is a very competitive industry, and if you take your time to compare different providers, you’ll find most offer discounts, freebies, and other promotional offers. Most popular registrars will usually give you a free domain for the first year – but you’ll have to pay the subscription after the free year expires. Also, most will offer price discounts around major shopping holidays such as easter, black friday, Christmas, and at the end of the year.
Available TLDs
A top-level domain (TLD) refers to the last part of your web address, for most sites it is “.com” but there are more than 1500 available TLDs. Some are generic such as .biz, .net, and, .org while others are country-specific such as .de (Germany) and .ca (Canada). Depending on your business, brand identity, and your geographical location, you might want a specific TLD. Find out if a registrar offers domains in that TLD, for some country-specific TLDs, you might have to use a local registrar.
Private Registration
Everybody who registers a domain name has to provide their name and email, which gets publicly listed on domain registries. If you don’t want your personal and contact info in the public domain, then you should get a domain registrar that offers private registration. With private registration, anybody looking up your website will find the domain registrar listed as the owner, which protects your privacy.
Other Services
Domain registration is just the first step towards getting your website online. You still have to design the website and find a web hosting platform. Luckily, most providers offer all (or some) of these services, and you’ll get great discounts when you use a single provider. So it is wise to find a service that offers a website builder and hosting services in addition to domain registration.
While bundled services give you discounted pricing, always check that the fine print doesn’t bar you from changing providers. Some hosting services don’t support moving your website to a different host and limiting your hosting options is never a good idea.
Customer Service
Most modern online services prioritise ease-of-use; their websites are easy to navigate and choosing and paying for a product is usually straightforward. Still, you want to use a service that offers great customer care should you need any assistance or clarification during and after purchasing a domain name. Check out a provider’s online reviews regarding its customer support channels, the response time, and the helpfulness of its support personnel.
Conclusion
When choosing a domain registrar, there are five factors that are important to consider if you want value for money, privacy, and a pleasant customer experience. Compare providers to find promotional offers that make your purchase more affordable. Finding a provider that bundles domain registration and other products will also deliver discounted pricing. For anonymity, make sure the provider offers private registration. Also, find out if a registrar offers the TLD you want, and how good their customer service is.