A domain name is everything you need to buy in order to launch a new website on the internet. But, the first question is, from where I should buy a domain name?. Because domain selling is one of the best businesses on the internet, there are hundreds of domain registration companies are active on the web.
Every registrar has their own domain pricing, but the first year pricing of most of the registrars is very cheap. Web hosting and domain registration companies more focus on new customers, that’s why their products and services are cheaper for new customers.
When you search for a new domain name availability, there you can see hundreds of domain extensions. Because registrant (like you) buy only single domain extension from the generic top-level domains (gTLDs), the registrar keeps trying to sell multiple extensions at once along with a domain extension you buy.
Generic top-level domains (gTLDs) like .com, .net, and .org has there each purpose, but the today’s internet are using any top-level domains (TLDs) for general purpose.
A few things you should know before relying on a domain registrar, such as transfer fees, private registration, domain parking, URL forwarding, and the renewal cost.
Following are the best domain name registrars on the internet:
1. Namecheap
Namecheap is managing over 3 million domain names.
Started as a domain registrar company in 2000, Namecheap is now the best and reliable domain name registrar on the internet. As its name, the pricing of domains is cheap, even the renewal price of domains are cheaper than GoDaddy.
With Namecheap, you can register gTLDs (generic top-level domains), ccTLDs (country code top-level domains), and new top-level domains (TLDs). Namecheap’s live chat support is super fast, their staff gives answer in minutes.
As a new customer, when you buy a domain name, the company also provides free WHOIS guard privacy for the first year.
2. GoDaddy
GoDaddy is managing over 60 million domain names.
GoDaddy is the largest domain name registrar on the internet, even their web hosting service is popular too. The company focused more on new customers, and just because the first year pricing of a domain name is very cheap. There are few hidden charges exist on GoDaddy that you will know later.
Just because of their first year pricing like .com starts at $0.99, and .net starts at $1.99, many users go with GoDaddy. But, the renewal pricing is higher than other registrars. For domain related help, GoDaddy phone support is awesome, even it solve your problems on call.
Because of their popularity, I register most of my domains with GoDaddy, even this blog’s domain is registered from him.
3. eNom
eNom is managing over 15 million domain names.
In the list of largest domain name registrars, eNom stands on second. eNom inc. is one of the best domain registrar company on the internet, serving service since 1997. The company has a huge number of resellers (approx 28,000 active resellers) that actually help eNom to claim more market shares.
eNom has more number of domain extensions than other registrars, even you can preorder new TLDs before launched. Renewal pricing of domain names is cheaper than GoDaddy, but not cheaper than Namecheap.
Private domain registration with eNom cost you additionally $8/year.
4. Hover
Hover is managing over 10 million domain names.
Hover is an ICANN-accredited domain registration company division of Tucows, the largest domain name registrar founded in 1994. Along with the division, Tucows started a wholesale platform called OpenSRS, that help businesses to resell domain names under their own brand.
Renewal pricing of common TLDs such as .com, .net and .org will cost you around $15, which is similar like GoDaddy. Additionally, with a domain name, you’ll get free WHOIS guard.
Hundreds of domain extensions are available on Hover, including new extensions.
5. 1&1
1&1 is managing over 5 million domain names.
1and1 or 1&1 internet is one of the largest web hosting company, based in Germany, owned by united internet, and founded in 1988. Just because 1and1 has more market share in domain registrars, I believe it is a trusted domain name registrar on the internet.
Just like GoDaddy, the company focuses more on new customers. As a new customer, you can buy a .com domain at just $0.99, after that the renewal price is around $15 per year. When you checkout, the free private registration will automatically include in your domain.
6. Google Domains
Google domains offer additional domain services for free.
Google domains is the most trustworthy domain registrar on the internet. Because it is currently marked beta, I cannot place it at the top of the list. Google’s products are 100% trusted, secure, and trustworthy in the world, and I believe as a domain registrar, Google will do their best.
The simple buy and renewal price of top-level domains is $12 per year, and it includes more features like private registration, DNS hosting, and domain forwarding without any additional cost.
7. Network Solutions
NS is managing over 6 million domain names.
NS was acquired by several companies according to their history, and currently it is owned by web.com group.
Founded in 1979, Network Solutions (NS) is one of the largest domain name registrars in the world. Domain registration is their core business, although the company provides more internet services such as web hosting, SSL certificate and marketing services.
If you look though the domain pricing, the renewal prices are much higher than other registrars. The renewal price of a .com domain is $34.99, which is 2-3 times more costly than others. The company seriously focus on new customers, that’s why they provide free private registration and a shared hosting package for one month to each of their domain registrant.
8. Register.com
Register.com is managing over 1.9 million domain names.
An another web.com’s company ‘Register.com’ was started as a domain name registrar in 1999, and now it serves more web services such as web hosting, SSL and online marketing. Just because it is owned by the same company who owned NS, the pricing of domain names is much higher.
The renewal cost of a .com domain is about $38 per year, which is 3 times more costly than other registrars. But according to me, Register.com’s domain service is trustworthy.
