I’ve registered hundreds of domain names over the years.
During that time, I bought a domain from virtually every platform in existence. Some experiences were great, others were awful, and the majority fell somewhere in the middle.
Whether you’re buying a domain for the first time or looking for an alternative solution from your last registration, you need to understand that you have options.
Where can you register a domain name? The choices can be segmented into three categories:
Domain RegistrarsHosting ProvidersWebsite Builders
I’ll show you the difference between these options and point out the top platforms within each category. Use this guide to learn the best way to buy a domain name.
Top Rated Domain Registrars to Register a Domain
If you want to register a domain, you’ll need a domain registrar. Here’s the best options.
Bluehost — Best for creating your first websiteDomain.com — Best for keeping domain costs lowPorkbun — Best deals on unique domain extensionsNetwork Solutions — Best for locking down domains for decadesGoDaddy — Best domain registrar for protecting your personal dataNamecheap — Best domain registrar for tight budgetsNameSilo — Most affordable domain deals with bulk purchasing
You can read our full reviews of each domain registrar here.