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Are you ready to take the plunge and create a website for your business or personal brand? If so, one of the first steps you’ll need to take is choosing a domain registrar.
A domain registrar is a company that allows you to purchase and manage domain names for your website. There are many options to choose from and it can be overwhelming to decide which registrar is the best fit for your needs.
Why Does Choosing the Right Domain Registrar Matter?
Your domain name is the foundation of your online identity, and the registrar you choose will be responsible for managing and maintaining your domain.
The right domain registrar can provide you with a seamless experience, reliable customer support, and essential security features to protect your domain from potential threats.
On the other hand, a subpar registrar can lead to downtime, security vulnerabilities, and poor customer service.
Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a Domain Registrar
Reputation and Reliability
Look for a company with a solid reputation and a proven track record of reliability. Check online reviews, forums, and social media to see what other users are saying about their experiences with the company.
Pricing and Renewal Fees
Compare the pricing and renewal fees of different domain registrars to ensure you are getting the best value for your money. Be wary of providers that offer extremely low prices, as they may have hidden fees, expensive add-ons, or poor support service.
Look for transparent pricing and check for any additional costs for services like domain privacy or SSL certificates.
Domain Management Tools
A good domain registrar should provide easy-to-use domain management tools that allow you to update DNS settings, set up email forwarding, and manage other settings via a simple and intuitive interface.
Security Features
Prioritize registrars that offer solid security features such as two-factor authentication, SSL certificates, and domain locking to protect your domain from cyber threats.
Whois Privacy Protection
Whois privacy is a service that allows you to protect your personal information when registering a domain name. It’s designed to hide your name, address, phone number, email address, and other identifying information from the public view in the domain registry Whois database.
Some registrars offer this service for free, while others charge a fee for it. You should opt for a registrar that has a free Whois privacy feature.
Customer Support
Good customer support is crucial when it comes to managing your domain effectively. Choose a registrar that has multiple support channels, such as live chat, phone support, and email ticketing, and has a reputation for responsive and helpful customer service.
Best Domain Registrars in 2024
The following are some of the most trustworthy places to register a domain name in 2024:
1. Namecheap
Namecheap is a popular domain registrar on Reddit and webmaster forums known for its affordable prices, user-friendly interface, and excellent customer support.
With features like free Whois privacy protection and easy domain management tools, Namecheap is a favorite choice of both beginners and experienced developers.
2. Cloudflare Registrar
Cloudflare is not just a content delivery network (CDN) and web security company; it also offers domain registration services. With Cloudflare Registrar, you can register and manage your domain directly through their platform, benefiting from their advanced security features and easy integration with their other services.
Many developers appreciate the seamless integration with Cloudflare’s DNS management and security services, in addition to paying the lowest domain renewal fees on the market.
3. NameSilo
NameSilo is a lesser-known domain registrar that has gained a loyal following among domainers for its low prices, free Whois privacy, and straightforward pricing. NameSilo is often praised for its no upsell policy and commitment to keeping domain renewal prices affordable, especially for those who own a large number of domains.
4. Hover
Hover is best known for its focus on simplicity, transparency, and good customer support. Webmasters on Reddit and other sites recommend Hover for its no-nonsense approach to domain registration and management, free Whois privacy, and clean user interface. It’s a great choice for those who prefer a hassle-free experience when registering a domain for their small business.
5. GoDaddy
GoDaddy is the largest global domain registrar that serves millions of customers both inside and outside the United States. They offer a wide range of website services besides domain registration, such as web hosting, email, e-commerce, and more.
Although many beginners enjoy the convenience of using an all-in-one platform like GoDaddy, tech-savvy users may find GoDaddy’s high renewal prices a little unjustified compared to other companies in the field.
What Happened to Google Domains?
Despite its promising start, Google Domains began to lose momentum over the years. The service failed to keep up with competitors like GoDaddy, Namecheap, and Bluehost, who offered more extensive features to website owners. Google Domains also lacked the marketing efforts and promotions that other domain registrars used to attract customers.
Additionally, Google’s focus on other products and services may have led to neglect of Google Domains. The company shifted its attention to projects like Google Cloud, AI research, and self-driving cars, leaving Google Domains without the resources and support needed to thrive in a competitive market.
That’s probably what led to the sad decision by Google to shut down their domain registration service and sell it to Squarespace.
Some Google Domains customers were not happy with the transfer of their domains to Squarespace, which is a lesser-known provider that has higher prices and not many appealing features besides their website builder.
While Google is no longer offering domain registration services to the public, there are many other reputable places where you can register a domain name, and we’ve looked at some of those above.
