Complete Guide To Purchasing Domain Names
To launch a new website, you first have to buy a domain name that resonates with your brand. This unique web address is where people will find you online. Your website domain name is a crucial part of establishing your brand and online identity.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about purchasing a domain hosting in Singapore for your online presence.
What is a Domain Name?
Anyone can go to your website by typing its domain name into their web browser. For example, Google’s domain name is www.google.com. Every website has a unique domain name that serves as its address on the internet. Without a domain name, people would not be able to find your website online. Hence, you must first purchase a domain name to start your incredible online journey.
Who Owns Domain Names?
No one person or company owns all domain names. When you purchase a domain name, you are essentially renting it from a company called a domain registrar for an annual fee. As long as you keep paying the renewal fee, you maintain ownership of that domain name.
Choosing the Right Domain Name
Deciding on a good domain name is an important first step for any new website. Here are some tips:
- Make it short, simple and easy to type
- Use words related to your business, product or brand
- Consider using keyword phrases if appropriate
- Avoid hyphens, numbers and strange spellings
- Brainstorm a few options in case your first choice isn’t available
It is best if you can secure a .com domain, as these are most recognised. Other common options to buy website domains include .net, .org, .info and extensions related to your location or industry.
Checking Domain Availability
Once you have some domain name ideas in mind, you will want to check if they are already registered and owned by someone else. Most domain providers have a search tool to check availability. Simply type in the domain you want and it will show if it is available for purchase.
If the .com version is taken, you may need to get creative and try alternative extensions or add short words to your domain name. Tools like LeanDomainSearch can also help generate available domain name ideas.
How to Buy a Domain Name
If you want to buy a website domain name and it is available, you can quickly register and get it through a registrar. The process is simple:
- Go to a registrar’s website
- Search for the available domain name
- Add it to your cart and checkout
- Provide basic contact/billing info
- Pay the annual registration fee
That’s it! You will then be the owner of that domain name for 1 year, which you can renew annually to maintain ownership.
It is also possible to buy an existing domain name that someone else already owns. This requires contacting the current owner and negotiating a purchase/transfer price, which can potentially be quite expensive for premium domains.
Domain Privacy Protection
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