Your domain name is the starting point of your online identity. It’s how people find you, remember you, and refer you. Before you proceed to the setup and design phases, your domain is the foundation you’ll build everything on.
Steps
Let’s help you pick the right one.
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1.1 Before You Finalize Your Domain Name
Make sure:
1. It’s easy to pronounce, spell, and remember
2. It avoids unnecessary fusions or forced combinations
π§ Pro Tip: Use free tools like NameMesh or LeanDomainSearch to quickly generate creative and available domain name ideas.
1.2 Choose the Right TLD (Top-Level Domain)
| TLD | Perfect For | PROs | CONs |
|---|---|---|---|
| .com | β Everyone | Most trusted, globally recognized | High demand – many good names already taken |
| .Your Country’s TLD (Examples – .in for India .uk for United Kingdom Find your country’s TLD | πΊπ³ Domestically Spread Entities | Good for websites that primarily operate within their country | Unpopular country TLDs might look fishy |
| .store | π e-Commerce Stores | Clearly e-commerce related | May limit perception to selling only |
| .blog | π Blogs | Perfect for personal/professional blogs | Not ideal for brand expansion |
| .me | π§βπ» Personal Website | Clearly indicative of a personal website | Might limit expansion to other fields than just portfolio purposes |
| .website | π Any Website | General-purpose and usually available | Sounds generic; not brand-specific |
| .co | π’ A Company | Short and brand-able alternative to .com | Often confused with .com |
| .net | ποΈ Contemporaries | Good fallback when .com is taken | Slightly outdated feel for new brands |
| .org | π± Non-profits | Trusted for nonprofits and communities | Can confuse people who default to .com |
1.3 Buy Your Domain from a Trusted Platform
| Platform | Starting Price | Free Domain? | WhoIS Privacy Protection | Best Deal Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Namecheap | ~$8.88/yr | β | β Free | Click Here (No Ads) |
| GoDaddy | ~$11.99/yr | β Claim with hosting | β Paid | Available Soon |
| Hostinger | ~$6.99/yr | β Claim with hosting | β Free | Click Here (No Ads) |
| Google Domains (Squarespace) | ~$12/yr | β | β Free | Available Soon |
| Bluehost | ~$7.99/yr | β Claim with hosting | β Free | Available Soon |
| Dynadot | ~$7.99/yr | β | β Free | Available Soon |
| Name.com | ~$10.99/yr | β | β Free | Available Soon |
π§ Pro Tip: If you're buying hosting from providers like Hostinger, Bluehost, or GoDaddy β they offer free domains when bundled with hosting. It's the most budget-friendly route for first-timers.
1.4 Register Your Domain
The steps are similar across all platforms:
- Visit your chosen domain registrar
- Search for your desired domain
- Add it to your cart if available
- Enable WHOIS Privacy Protection (usually free or already included)
- Create your account and complete checkout
π§ Pro Tip: Remember to verify the e-Mail address you used while purchasing the domain by checking for an e-Mail in your inbox from your domain provider. If this isn't done within 14 days, you domain might be suspended.