Best Domain Name Registrars

When starting or building your business one of the first things you need to do is acquire a domain name that accurately reflects your business name or a service that you offer. A domain name is the website address that you typically see in your browser such as google.com or facebook.com. To do this, you need a domain name registrar.

There are hundreds of limitless combinations of extensions known as TLD’s or Top Level Domains. For example, everyone knows of websites that end with .com, but other common options include .info, .net, .org, .edu, .gov .biz and countless others. More recently, there have been hundreds of new additions to the TLD options that you can purchase such as our business websites nuweb.marketing and nuweb.blog.

Selecting your domain name is not only for your website, but is also essential to creating your business email addresses. You will want to register a domain name that is short, memorable, and represents you.

What is a Domain Name Registrar?

A domain name registrar is a company or organization that offers the ability to purchase and renew a domain name through the TLD registry. The TLD registry is likened to that of a large address book containing all of the domain names that are currently registered, and shows which domain names are available or unavailable for purchase. Additionally, domain name registrars are accredited and operate within specific guidelines designated by the TLD registry.

What are the Best Domain Name Registrars?

The best domain name registrars allow you to purchase and renew domain names at a reasonable price, offer the new “exotic” TLD’s, manage transfers to and from other registrars, and contain easy DNS – or Domain Name Server – management. Additionally, some of the best domain name registrars offer additional services including web hosting and business emails.

Here are our picks for the best domain name registrars to purchase and your business domain name:

1. Bluehost

Bluehost is a great choice when registering your domain name. With their lightning-fast searching capabilities and a huge selection of domain names, including exotic TLD’s, you can quickly find the perfect domain name for your business with a trusted global leader in domains and web hosting.

Each domain name registration offers many benefits including:

  • Easy domain management through their control panel
  • Automatic yearly domain name renewal
  • Domain forwarding to redirect to another website
  • Domain lock to prevent unauthorized transfers
  • Expert support ready to assist if you have any questions
Bluehost Domains

Pricing for a domain name registration varies depending on the extension you select, but examples include:

  • .com – $12.99/1st year
  • .net – $14.99/1st year
  • .org – $9.99/1st year
  • .co – $14.99/1st year
  • .blog – $22.99/1st year
  • .website – $1.99/1st year

Not only does Bluehost offer domain names, but it is also a great web hosting provider. If you are looking for an all-in-one solution to register your domain and get started with building a website we recommend Bluehost.

2. Knownhost

Another great domain registrar is Knownhost. One of their best features is that all domains that are registered through them include free domain WHOIS privacy. WHOIS, is a public database of domain name registration information that anyone can see. With Knownhost’s free WHOIS privacy your personal information will be hidden from the public database.

Additional features include:

  • Easy centralized management portal
  • No hidden charges or fees
  • 24/7/365 customer support
Knownhost Domains

Pricing for domain name registration varies depending on the extension you select, but examples include:

  • .com – $13.95/year
  • .net – $17.95/year
  • .org – $16.95/year
  • .biz – $19.95/year
  • .info – $17.95/year

Knownhost is also a web hosting provider that offers a variety of features. Start your website today by registering your domain name and web hosting with Knownhost.

3. Domain.com

Domain.com is a domain name registrar that carries many exotic TLD’s including more than 25 country codes. Not only that, but certain domain name registrations cost less than $5 so you don’t have to break the bank.

Every domain name registration includes many additional features, including:

  • Secure your website with a Free SSL through Let’s Encrypt
  • Automatic email forwarding to any valid email address
  • DNS management
  • Transfer lock to protect your domain from unauthorized transfers
Domain.com

Pricing for domain name registration varies depending on the extension you select, but examples include:

  • .com – $9.99/year
  • .net – $12.99/year

With affordable pricing and superior support look no further than Domain.com to register your domain name.

4. Namecheap

Namecheap offers domain registration and transfers at a great price (hence their name!), but they have much more including web hosting, email service, and SSL certificates. Additionally, their customer support is ready to help you 24/7 if you have any questions.

Namecheap Domains

Pricing for domain name registration varies depending on the extension you select, but examples include:

  • .com – $8.88/year
  • .net – $10.98/year
  • .org – $12.98/year
  • .co – $23.98/year

For a wide array of domain extensions and registrations all at a great price, check out Namecheap.

5. DreamHost

DreamHost is a great fit for those looking to get started with a WordPress website. They offer more than 400+ domain extensions that allow you to connect to their hosting and email services with ease. Additionally, each domain registration purchased through DreamHost includes WHOIS protection.

DreamHost Domains

Pricing for domain name registration varies depending on the extension you select, but examples include:

  • .com – $7.99/year
  • .blog – $4.99/year
  • .shop – $2.99/year
  • .org – $11.99/year

For privacy, low prices, and simplicity when connecting your domain up to a hosting and email provider look to DreamHost.

6. InMotion

InMotion is known for being a web hosting provider and one of their greatest features is that most hosting plans include a free domain name credit so that you can register your domain and get started hosting it right away. If you don’t want to host with InMotion, you can still register or transfer your domain with ease.

Inmotion Domains

Pricing for domain name registration varies depending on the extension you select, but examples include:

  • .com – $15.99/year
  • .org – $15.99/year
  • .info – $15.99/year
  • .biz – $15.99/year

For access to a free domain registration for your business get started with InMotion Hosting today.

7. MediaTemple

MediaTemple is another domain name registrar that is known for its web hosting and Managed WordPress hosting and offers domains at a great price. They don’t include WHOIS privacy for free like a few of their competitors, but they do offer it for a much cheaper rate than others who charge for it.

In addition they offer extensive domain extensions and even the ability to connect your domain to G Suite by Google Cloud, an all-in-one solution for your email and business productivity. MediaTemple has 24/7 support should you have any questions along the way.

MediaTemple Domains

Pricing for domain name registration varies depending on the extension you select, but examples include:

  • .com – $18.00/year
  • .org – $18.00/year
  • .info – $15.00/year
  • .biz – $25.00/year
  • .co – $29.00/year

If you need a provider who can handle your domain registration, email, and web hosting needs – MediaTemple is a great choice.

8. iPage

iPage, like many others, is an all-in-one provider that offers web hosting, connects domains with email service providers, and even professional marketing services.

Every domain name registration with iPage includes many additional features, including:

  • A Free SSL through Let’s Encrypt to secure your website
  • Automatic email forwarding to any valid email address
  • Domain transfer lock to protect your domain from unauthorized transfers
  • Automatic renewal to ensure it doesn’t expire
iPage Domains

You can choose any number of domain extensions including .com, .org, .info, .biz, and many more. Pricing for domain name registration varies depending on the extension you select, but examples include:

  • .com – $9.99/year
  • .net – $11.99/year
  • .org – $8.99/year
  • .info – $3.99/year
  • .biz – $4.99/year
  • .co – $10.99/year

If you need an all-in-one provider for your domain registration, email addresses, and web hosting, iPage would be a great choice.

9. Network Solutions

Network Solutions offers more than 500 different domain extensions and makes registering a domain name a breeze. Network Solutions offers web hosting and email services to get you and your domain up and running in no time. Additionally, you can transfer your domain for only $9.99 and get a free 1-year extension from your current expiration date.

Network Solutions Domains

Pricing for domain name registration varies depending on the extension you select, but examples include:

  • .com – $25.00/year
  • .net – $25.00/year
  • .info – $25.00/year

Their domain name registration prices are a little on the higher side, but you can get a discount for multi-year registrations. If you are looking for an all-in-one solution to register your domain and get started with a business email we recommend Network Solutions.

10. Dynadot

Dynadot offers great prices for .com extension domains ($8.99) and includes free domain privacy. If you are looking to start a website, Dynadot even has a free 1-page website hosting plan with 1 included email address that you can easily connect your domain name to upon purchase.

Dynadot Domains

You can choose any number of domain extensions including .com, .org, .info, .biz, and many more. Pricing for domain name registration varies depending on the extension you select, but examples include:

  • .com – $8.99/1st year
  • .xyz – $.99/1st year
  • .me – $5.88/1st year
  • .fyi – $5.95/1st year
  • .org – $8.99/1st year
  • .net – $5.99/1st year

If your business is just getting started and you need a 1-page website and a business email address, try Dynadot.

11. Hover

Hover is perfect for bulk domain registration as they offer price discounts for large purchases. Additionally, their intuitive tools make it easy to manage your domain and DNS and they even offer free WHOIS privacy so that you don’t have to pay for privacy like other providers.

Hover Domains

Pricing for domain name registration varies depending on the extension you select, but examples include:

  • .com – $7.99/year
  • .blog – $4.99/year
  • .shop – $2.99/year
  • .org – $11.99/year

If you are looking for purchasing domains in bulk and easily connecting your domains to your favorite website services, Hover is the best option for you.

12. Google Domains

Everyone has heard of Google, but did you know that they have Google Domains? Google Domains put’s the power of Google behind your domain with simple pricing (starting at $7/year), speed, security, and 24/7 support. Choose from more than 300 domain extensions to find a domain that is memorable for your business.

Google Domains

Pricing for domain name registration varies depending on the extension you select, but examples include:

  • .com – $12.00/year
  • .net – $12.00/year
  • .org – $12.00/year
  • .info– $12.00/year

If you are looking to use Google tools for your business, try Google Domains to register your domain, get a professional email address, and even start building a website with their website builder.

13. Cloudflare

Cloudflare may be new as a domain registrar, but they have been around for many years providing security to infrastructure and applications. With every domain registration, you receive the following features:

  • Support for hundreds of TLDs
  • Free WHOIS privacy management and control
  • Automatic domain renewal
  • Transfer lock
  • 1-year extension of expiration date
Cloudflare Domains

Unfortunately, at this time you are not able to register new domains – you can only transfer domains to Cloudflare but this should not stop you from considering their service if you already have a domain.

14. Ionos

Ionos by 1&1 has been around for many years not only in the domain registration business but also with web hosting, WordPress hosting, email and more. They offer several great features for their domain registration including:

  • Free wildcard SSL
  • Free WHOIS privacy registration
  • Free 2GB email account
  • Transfer domain without any fees
Ionos Domains

Pricing for domain name registration varies depending on the extension you select, but examples include:

  • .com – $1/1st year
  • .net – $1/1st year
  • .org – $1/1st year
  • .biz – $1/1st year

If you are looking to transfer your domain or get started with a business email, Ionos could be a great fit with their free offerings.

15. GoDaddy

GoDaddy is a large domain registrar and web hosting provider trusted by more than 20 million customers around the world. They offer several features that their competitors do not include:

  • Domain appraisal to determine the value of your domain name
  • Domain auction to buy, sell, and bid on previously owned domains
  • Extensive WHOIS search to determine who owns a domain and when it expires
GoDaddy Domains

Pricing for domain name registration varies depending on the extension you select, but examples include:

  • .com – $11.99/1st year
  • .xyz – $0.99/1st year
  • .org – $9.99/1st year
  • .shop – $2.99/1st year

Start your website today with GoDaddy by registering your domain name and setting up with their award-winning hosting.

16. HostGator

HostGator, like many other registrars, offers premium web hosting and several other services. For each domain registration you receive features such as:

  • Domain locking to prevent unauthorized transfers
  • Auto renewal to ensure you don’t let the domain expire
  • Easy management through their control panel
  • Privacy protection through the WHOIS database for a small fee
  • DNS management
  • Email forwarding to any other valid email address
  • 24/7 support though phone, live chat, or Twitter
Hostgator Domains

Pricing for domain name registration varies depending on the extension you select, but examples include:

  • .com – $12.95/year
  • .net – $12.95/year
  • .org – $12.95/year
  • .site – $0.95/year

If you are looking for an affordable domain registrar with an easy to use management panel and web hosting provider we recommend HostGator.

Domain Name FAQs

I have already purchased a domain; can I transfer my domain to another provider?

Yes, the most reputable domain name registrars allow you to transfer your domain name out from their platform and into another. However, this process can often include a transfer fee since this process requires both the current and the new domain name registrar to communicate with one another to move the domain.

What are Nameservers?

Nameservers and DNS records go hand-in-hand. Nameservers are often identified as a pair of records that identify the location of your domain’s DNS provider. In simpler terms wherever your Nameservers are configured to are where your DNS records are stored.

What are DNS records?

DNS records, along with their counterpart Nameservers, are the individual records associated with the domain name that allows you to connect to specific platforms. For example, your DNS records can be configured to point your website to a web hosting provider, or they can also be configured to an email service provider to power your emails.

Domain Name Registrars Summary

There are hundreds of domain name registrars available but when choosing the best domain name registrar consider where you plan to start your website and if you plan to set up business email addresses. We also recommend you consider the purchase and renewal price, whether you need a new “exotic” TLD, and where you intend to manage your DNS records.

If you’re looking for the best domain name registrar, we recommend starting with a .com domain from Bluehost today for just $12.99 for the 1st year.


Last updated on by Joshua Holdeman

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About the author

Joshua Holdeman is a DevOps Engineer, Sr. Software Engineer, and Digital Marketing Consultant. With over 12 years in the industry and backed by hundreds of digital marketing projects and websites developed under his direction, he brings experience and knowledge allowing for the recommendation of high-impact business software, tools, and programs to help non-profit organizations, small businesses, and entrepreneurs to launch or grow their business. Before starting this blog, Josh was the Sr. Software Engineer for a world leader in a marketing and graphic communications franchise system.

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