7 Best Domain Registrars in 2024

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A strong online presence requires more than just social media channels. While you can promote your message, business, products, or services using social media, a domain name is still necessary to avoid dependencies on other platforms. Having a domain is one of the most critical elements of your online presence. This is because it links your branding and marketing efforts into one central location. And while finding the ideal domain can take patience and a little luck, it’s relatively easy to buy a domain and start building your website. To help you succeed in this process, we’ve put together a list of the 7 best domain registrars to help you find the best company for your needs.

What Is a Domain Registrar?

For your audience to reach your website, you need a domain, which is the human-readable address of websites on the internet, such as google.com or codeberry.net.

A domain registrar is a company that is responsible for the following:

  • Registering and selling domain names
  • Renewing existing domains
  • Tracking domain names that are available or unavailable for purchase
  • Keeping a record of what companies or individuals own domains
  • Managing domain name records by preserving information about the domain, nameservers, and more

You use a domain registrar to buy a domain name for a specific period, with the minimum time frame being one year. When you purchase your domain, you’re essentially leasing it.

Does It Matter Which Domain Registrar I Use?

Not all domain registrars are created equally, and there are several factors that you want to keep in mind when choosing the best domain registration for your purposes. Let’s take a closer look at the things you should consider in a domain registrar.

Price

The price of domains and their accompanying top-level domains (TLDs) vary by price depending upon the domain registrar. Many registrars give you a discount price for new domains, but you also need to pay attention to the renewal price. Therefore, it’s essential to compare prices across different registrars before purchasing your domain.

Reputation

It’s important to choose a domain registrar that has a good reputation in the industry. You want to choose a company that is customer-centric, reliable, security-focused, easy to use, and provides transparency when it comes to pricing.

Add-On Features

Some domain registrars offer more add-on features than others, such as free domain (WHOIS) privacy, SSL certificates, email forwarding, and domain name server (DNS) management. You’ll also want a domain registrar that also provides hassle-free domain transfers should you want to move your domain to another registrar.

Domain Expiration Policy

It’s important to review the domain name expiration policy of the registrar. If you forget to renew your domain name and it expires, most domain registrars will offer you a grace period. This time, typically up to 30 days after a domain name expires, allows you to renew it at the regular price. This way, you won’t risk losing your domain name because you let it expire by a few days.

Customer Support

If you encounter issues with your domain or need assistance, a reputable domain registrar will offer responsive and friendly customer support. A good registrar will have a team of experienced professionals who are available to help you 24/7, and they should be able to address your concerns promptly and efficiently.

The Best Domain Registrars

We have put together a list of several of the best domain registrars for purchasing domains. Some of the top registrars to consider are:

1. Bluehost

It’s best for: Pairing with web hosting, especially if you plan to use WordPress

Bluehost is a dependable company that offers both domain registration and website hosting. It provides numerous TLDs for your domain that include .com, .net, .org, .co, .blog, and more.

If you purchase from Bluehost, your domain comes with:

  • Easy domain management
  • Auto-renewal
  • Domain forwarding
  • Domain locking
  • Expert customer support

They also offer additional features (some as paid add-ons) such as domain privacy, geo-location domains, automatic domain renewal, email hosting, and more.

2. Domain.com

It’s best for: Individuals and businesses looking for a domain registrar with a variety of features and services

Domain.com offers more than 300 domain extensions or TLDs in addition to web hosting, SSL certificates, and even web design. They also provide the following services and products as add-ons:

  • Google Workspace/ G-Suite
  • SiteLock security
  • Website builder
  • Professional marketing
  • Second phone number (for business purposes)
  • Domain Privacy + Protection

When you buy a domain from Domain.com, your purchase comes with the option to set up autorenewal and a 30-day redemption (grace) period if it expires.

3. DreamHost

It’s best for: Those looking for a company that’s affordable, reliable, and easty to use

DreamHost is more known for its web hosting, but they also offer domain registration. They have 400+ TLDs to choose from, so you’ll have plenty of potential domain extensions to make your website unique.

If you’re buying your domain from Dreamhost, you’ll get the following:

  • Free WHOIS Domain Privacy for the life of your domain
  • An easy-to-use panel to manage domains, edit DNS records, set up domain forwarding, and more
  • Competitive prices for domain registration and discounts for multiple domain registrations and for annual renewals

In addition to being in business since 1996, DreamHost has a reputation for great customer service that’s available 24/7.

4. GoDaddy

It’s best for: Beginners that are non-technical or individuals and small businesses

GoDaddy is one of the more popular and recognizable domain registrars on this list. It is the world’s largest registrar with over 21 million customers, servicing over 84 million domains.

When purchasing a domain from GoDaddy, you’ll get:

  • Free domain privacy forever
  • The ability to create up to 100 subdomains
  • Simple tools for domain management
  • Payable Domains

With GoDaddy, you can choose from over 500 TLDs, and they also offer additional services, including email hosting, SSL certificates, website security, and marketing tools.

5. Name.com

It’s best for: Individuals and entrepreneurs who are looking for reliability and are on a budget

Name.com is a trusted domain registrar that’s been in business since 2003. They offer more than 300 TLDs and provide you with a domain checker that provides alternatives if your preferred domain is unavailable.

Name.com offers the following features:

  • Search tool for expiring, deleting, premium, and bulk search domain names
  • Free URL and email forwarding
  • DNS templates
  • Security for your account and domain through Two-Step Verification and SiteLock

They also offer add-on services such as SSL certificates, web hosting, Google Workspace integration, Advanced Security + Privacy, and more.

6. Namecheap

It’s best for: Intermediate, technical users, and startups on a budget

Namecheap is another popular domain registrar with great 24/7 customer service and cheap prices. They offer a variety of TLDs – over 500 as of the publishing of this article – and are known for providing competitive prices and deals for domains.

If you’re considering a domain from Namecheap, you’ll get:

  • Free domain privacy protection
  • Security for your domain via DNSSEC
  • A free, 2-month email trial

You can also purchase SSL certificates, web hosting, premium DNS, and VPN. Better still, if you have over 50 active domains with Namecheap, you can sign up for their VIP Rewards Club to unlock additional discounts.

7. Network Solutions

It’s best for: Startups, small to medium businesses, and enterprise companies

If you’ve been on the internet since the dot-com boom and purchased your first domain, most likely it was from Network Solutions. They were the first company to offer some of the original TLDs – .com, .net, .org, and .edu. Having been in business for over 25 years, Network Solutions is a trusted brand with a solid reputation.

When buying a domain from them, you also get:

  • A free month trial of Starter Hosting
  • A free month trial of Private Registration
  • Drag and drop website builder
  • A free month trial of the Domain Security Bundle to protect your site from malware, hackers, and DDOS attacks

You can also purchase additional security measures for cyber security, online marketing (SEO) services, and even web design.

In this article, we’ve listed the 7 best domain registrars in 2024. We’ve provided information on which registrars are suitable based on your needs, features, services, and customer support. Each company has its own strengths and weaknesses, but the best domain registrar for you depends on your individual needs and preferences.

Here are some additional tips for choosing a domain registrar:

  1. Keep your budget in mind: Remember that domain registrars vary in price, so it’s important to compare prices before you buy. Additionally, some registrars may offer attractive initial registration prices but charge higher renewal fees. Be aware of the long-term costs to avoid unexpected expenses.
  2. Consider the features: Think about what features are important to you, such as domain privacy, DNS management, and email forwarding. Evaluate if you need additional services like website hosting, email hosting, SSL certificates, etc. from the same company. You might want to choose a different company offering the same services at a more competitive price.
  3. Read customer reviews: Read reviews from other customers to get an idea of what other people think. And don’t just read the positive reviews. Read the negative ones and everything else in between to get an idea of how the registrar operates and handles customers.
  4. Evaluate the number of TLD options: Beyond the general TLDs such as .com and .net, you need to determine the domain extensions that best suits your website’s purpose. Some domain registrars offer more TLDs than others.
  5. Read the fine print: Before registering a domain, read the terms and conditions of the registrar. Pay specific attention to renewal fees, domain transfer policies, and any additional services they may offer.
About

Codeberry is a small web design studio based in Florida. We build premium HTML templates to help other creative professionals, entrepreneurs, and startups get their projects online quickly.