Your domain name is a crucial part of your brand identity, and it’s often the first thing potential customers encounter.
When deciding on a domain name, there are two main parts of the URL to consider: the second-level domain (your website’s name in your web address) and the top-level domain or extension (.com, .org, .io, etc.). Whether you pair your domain name with a classic .com or follow the current trend of using a more industry- or location-specific extension (such as .tech or .nyc), a well-chosen domain can boost your brand recognition and make it easier for customers to find you online.
From tips for choosing a domain name to choosing a registrar, learn how to register a domain name.
How to register a domain name in 6 steps
- Choose a domain name
- Check for domain availability
- Choose a domain name registrar
- Purchase and register a domain
- Review your domain name contract
- Renew your domain name
Follow these steps to register your domain name and handle any challenges that come up:
1. Choose a domain name
Your domain name is a key part of your brand identity. If you’re still in the process of naming your business, consider your domain name as part of that decision. A domain that closely matches your brand name will be easier for your customers to remember.
To come up with business name ideas, you can use a keyword research tool (like Ahrefs or Semrush) to find keywords that have high search volume in your industry. This technique worked for the team behind Zero Waste Store. A few months after the business launched under a different name, cofounder JJ Follano discovered that the term “zero waste store” had high monthly search volume and that the domain name was available. So he decided to pivot the company name with a rebrand.
He recounts on an episode of the Shopify Masters podcast: “It actually got searched 15,000 times a month. People were actively looking for that keyword and variations of that keyword. So I said, ’Well, you know, we just started. I think there’s a really strong play here.”
By rebranding, the store went from making a few hundred dollars a month to crossing a million dollars in sales within the first year after the change.
2. Check for domain availability
Checking whether your chosen domain is available is quick and easy. Most web hosting services offer free domain name search tools that tap into databases called WHOIS or RDAP.
Remember, domain names are universal. If a domain name is unavailable from one provider, it’s unavailable from all of them. The silver lining? These tools often suggest similar available domains if your first choice is taken.

You might encounter messages about domain brokering. This means the domain is not available, but the registrar offers to negotiate with its current owner for you. While this can help you secure your ideal domain, it comes with additional costs and potential delays. Even if the owner agrees to sell, the price will likely be much higher than registering an available domain.
Depending on your budget and how crucial that specific domain is to your brand, brokering might be worth considering. However, if you’re working with limited funds, exploring variations of your desired domain name is often more affordable. Here are a few options:
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Use a suffix. Differentiate your domain by adding a word at the end. Fur, a brand that sells products for skin care and pubic hair care, pairs its brand name with the word “you” (furyou.com).
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Use a prefix. Start your domain with an action-oriented verb that highlights your product or service. For example, fashion clothing brand Uprisers uses the punchy weareuprisers.com domain to signal its commitment to social justice.
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Try a different domain name extension. While .com is the most common top-level domain (TLD), there are many alternatives. You could use a region-specific extension (like .ca, .us, or .eu) or a specialty extension (like .shop or .store), like NIL Store (nil.store), which uses a .store extension.
Learn more: Domain Name Services: Which Hosting Provider Should You Trust?
3. Choose a domain name registrar
A domain name registrar is a company that reserves and registers domain names on your behalf. When you purchase a domain name, the registrar adds it to the Domain Name System (DNS).
While there are more than a thousand accredited registrars, stick with a well-known, reputable provider. Using a popular domain registrar makes it easier to find information about managing your domain and troubleshoot any issues that might arise when connecting your domain to other services.
You can purchase domains from various types of businesses:
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Website-building platforms (like Shopify)
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Web-hosting services (like HostGator or Bluehost)
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Dedicated domain registrars (like GoDaddy or NameCheap)
Many companies offer both domain registration and hosting services. This can be convenient, allowing you to manage all your website needs in one place. However, you’re not obligated to use the same company for both services—you can purchase a domain from one provider and use a different company for hosting if you prefer.
Domain names are typically paid for annually rather than as a one-time purchase.
Most basic .com domain names cost between $12 to $20 a year. However, premium domains—such as short, four-letter domains or highly sought-after terms—can be significantly more expensive.
When budgeting for your domain, pay attention to the difference between the initial price and the renewal price. Many domain providers offer discounted rates for the first year or two, especially if you’re purchasing a domain along with other services.
4. Purchase and register a domain
Once you’ve chosen a registrar and decided on your domain name, you’re ready to make your purchase.
If you’re building an online store with Shopify, the quickest and easiest way to register a domain is by purchasing it directly through Shopify. This method offers automatic setup and allows you to manage your domain settings, subdomains, and forwarding email addresses all in one place—right where you manage your ecommerce store.
To register a domain with Shopify:
1. Log in to your Shopify admin and go to Settings > Domains.
2. Click “Buy new domain” and enter your desired domain name.
3. Click “Buy” next to the domain you want to register.
4. Add a payment method if you haven’t already.
5. Review your personal contact details, auto-renewal preferences, and the domain registration agreements.
6. Click “Buy domain” to complete your purchase.
7. Check your email for a verification link and click it to finalize your registration.
Once you’ve completed setting up your domain, you can edit your domain settings, set up subdomains, and create forwarding email addresses in the Settings > Domains section of your Shopify admin.
Note that it can take up to 48 hours for your new domain to become fully functional.

5. Review your domain name contract
Before finalizing your domain purchase, carefully read the registrar’s terms and conditions. The domain name contract is a legally binding document that outlines:
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Who has full ownership of the domain
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Renewal terms and associated fees
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Additional costs for services like domain restoration or privacy protection
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Conditions for transferring the domain to another provider
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Payment terms, including consequences for missed payments
Ideally, your business should have full ownership of the domain throughout the agreement. Look for flexibility in transfer conditions and fees, so you have the freedom to switch registrars if necessary.
6. Renew your domain name
When you purchase a domain, you’re securing it for a fixed period, typically one year. While some providers offer longer terms (like GoDaddy’s 10-year option for .com domains), registration is never permanent.
To maintain ownership of your domain, you’ll need to renew it before your term expires. Most domain providers offer automatic renewal, which is generally recommended. Even with automatic renewal enabled, providers typically notify you before charging.
If your payment information changes, be sure to update your settings with your domain provider, so automatic renewal goes through smoothly.
If you don’t renew your domain, it will no longer direct to your website and may become available for purchase by others.
How to choose a domain name provider
When selecting a domain provider, consider the following factors:
Ease of use
How simple is it to connect your domain to your website? Purchasing a domain from your web-building platform often makes setup faster and easier, since you’re dealing with just one provider.
Using services from different providers can add extra steps and may involve technical challenges. Also verify your website builder supports custom domains—not all builders, especially free website builders, allow custom domains.
Privacy protection
When you register a domain, your contact information becomes publicly available in the global ICANN registry. Domain privacy protection hides this information. Some providers, like Shopify, include this feature for free, while others charge an additional fee.
Domain extension availability
All domain providers offer .com domains. If you’re interested in a region-specific domain extension (such as .ca, .eu, or .au) or a speciality extension (like .shop or .store), confirm your chosen provider offers it.
Additional services
Many domain registrars offer extra services such as ecommerce hosting, website-building tools, and email hosting. Sometimes, providers offer domains at attractive rates, but only when bundled with other services. Consider whether you need these additional features when making your decision.
To make it easier to decide, here’s a quick breakdown of major domain providers, their starting price points, and the cost of WHOIS privacy protection:
Provider | First-year price | WHOIS privacy protection | Features |
Shopify | Starting at about $9/year | Free | Easy setup with no technical configuration; all-in-one commerce functionality, website hosting, and domains |
Squarespace Domains | Free for the first year when you choose an annual Squarespace plan | Free | Google Workspace integration |
GoDaddy | Starting at 1¢ for the first year | Free | Extensive domain extensions; reliable customer support |
IONOS | Starting at $1/year for the first year | Free | Affordable domain pricing |
Bluehost | Free for first year with plan | $11.88/year | Integrates seamlessly with WordPress for one-click setup |
Domain.com | $11.99 for a .com | Free | Website builder and web hosting |
Namecheap | $6.49 for a .com | Free | Intuitive domain management |
HostGator | Starting at $12.99/year | $14.95/year | Email forwarding; domain locking |
What to do after registering your domain name
- Set up domain name system settings
- Create a website or landing page
- Enable domain privacy protection
After you register your domain, there are a few important steps to take:
1. Set up domain name system settings
When users enter a URL in their browser, the browser sends a request to a global network of web servers that locate your website using the domain name system (DNS). The DNS is a universally recognized, decentralized system for naming websites. It allows computers, phones, and any other internet-capable devices to find the webpage a user is looking for.
While the setup process for a new domain can be complex if done manually, most registrars, including Shopify, handle this for you automatically.
2. Create a website or landing page
What do people see when they visit your domain? A website or landing page is the content you’ll attach to your domain to tell people about your project.
For blogs, website builders like WordPress, Wix, and Squarespace are popular options. However, if you’re buying a domain for an ecommerce business, Shopify is a good option. With Shopify, you can buy your domain name and start an online store using a single ecommerce website builder.
Aside from buying a domain, Shopify also lets you:
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Choose from a theme library
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Display product details
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Collect customer data
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Manage marketing campaigns
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Process online payments securely
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Configure shipping and delivery
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View website analytics
3. Enable domain privacy protection
Domain privacy protection hides your personal information from the public WHOIS database. When your personal data is protected, you’ll significantly reduce spam and cybersecurity risks.
How you approach domain privacy protection depends on your registrar. Some, including Shopify, enable it by default, while others charge additional fees for WHOIS domain protection. Providers will typically prompt you to configure this if it’s offered as an add-on.
Read more
- How to Buy a Domain Name- Domain Registration Guide
- Domain Price - How Much Does a Domain Really Cost?
- Domain SEO Explained- Choosing an SEO Friendly Domain Name
- What Is an SSL Certificate- Definition and Explanation
- How Much Does Website Hosting Cost?
- What Is a Domain and How Do Domain Names Work?
- What Is a Subdomain? A Complete Guide
- What Is a TLD? Top-Level Domains Definition and Guide
- What Is a ccTLD? Definition and Examples of ccTLDs
- 11 Best Domain Name Registrar Picks for 2024
How to register a domain name FAQ
How do I register my own domain name?
To register your domain name, select a domain provider and follow their purchasing process. Domain registration is temporary; to maintain ownership, you’ll need to renew the domain at the end of your registration term.
How long does a domain take to register?
It typically takes around 24 hours to register a domain, though there can be a delay of up to 72 hours, depending on the web server you’re using.
Why can’t I permanently own a domain?
ICANN, the regulatory body that manages domains, sets a maximum limit of 10 years for domain ownership. You can keep a domain longer than this by renewing it at the end of the term.
Are domains free?
Some companies offer a free domain when you purchase other services. These domains typically come with customization restrictions and limited features and commonly include the company’s brand name in the URL. Other companies may offer a free year of domain registration with the purchase of hosting services, but you’ll need to pay regular rates when renewing the registration.
Do domains need to be registered?
Yes, domains need to be registered. Your domain provider does this when you purchase your domain. You will not need to personally register the domain, as long as you’ve paid and provided a registrar with all of your registration information.
How much does it cost to register a domain name per year?
Yearly charges can differ depending on the provider and the domain extension. Regional and specialty domains tend to be more expensive than .com domains.