How to buy a domain name

Lesson 4 of 12, 7 min

About this lesson

Summary

Where to buy a domain name, what it costs and the traps to avoid.

Follow along

Steps

Choose a well known company that sells domain names, called a registrar.
Search for your name and check that it is free.
Watch out for cheap first year prices that jump at renewal, and for extras you do not need.
Check that the domain is registered in your name and your email address, not the company's.
Switch on automatic renewal and a second email address for reminders.

In writing

In a few words

You buy a domain name from a company called a registrar. Search for the name you want, and if it is free, you can rent it for a year at a time. Be careful with very cheap first year prices, because the price often goes up when you renew. Make sure the domain is registered in your name and with your email address, and switch on automatic renewal so you never lose it by accident.

Words explained

Registrar: a company that sells domain names.

Renewal: paying again to keep your domain for another year.