Last week, I shared my opinion on the best web hosting providers and had some great remarks. When you purchase a hosting account, chances are, you are going to need a separate domain name. However, finding the best domain registrar can be overwhelming, to say the least.
There are other websites that are going to list tons of best places to register a domain name. While this may be true, only several domain registrars are going to go the distance and offer some enticing features.
Best Domain Name Registrars
The best domain registrar is not only going to register your domain name, it will go the distance and offer additional perks such as easy domain management, various domain transferring options, customizable parking pages, etc.
In addition, each domain registrar is going to have multiple extension options such as .com, .net, .org and many others. However, not every domain registrar is going to be the same.
It is very important to choose a domain registrar that you will comfortable with and do not worry so much about the costs of registering a domain name. Most of the time, I purchase a domain name and web hosting from different providers. Typically, most domain registrars offer domain names anywhere from $5 to $15 per year.
1. Namecheap (Editor’s Choice)
NameCheap is the best domain registrar, and it has been sitting on top for quite some time now. This is due to their relatively low pricing options, along with a set of free perks and additional features. Their domain name registrations start at $3.98/year (register a domain name with NameCheap).
The Good:
Cheap domain registrations – starting at a very competitive $3.98/year.
Free perks include free Whois protection for the first year, customizable parking pages, custom DNS, URL forwarding and free email.
Choose from over 40 different domain name extensions.
NameCheap has an incredibly easy process for transferring existing domains.
Flexible domain management portal.
Offers other products and services such as web hosting and SSL certificates.
The Bad:
Minor issues with their auto-renewal from time to time. For example, I turned the auto-renewal off and was still charged for renewing a domain name I no longer wanted.
The main account dashboard is not the best and could use minor updating.
2. Godaddy
While I hate everything that GoDaddy stands for, I have to admit that they offer cheap domain name registrations. If, for some reason, you do not like NameCheap, buying a domain name through GoDaddy is going to be the next best things. There is a reason why they are the largest domain registrar in the world. With their constant promotions and sales, domain pricing is always different – you might even be able to snatch a .com domain for $0.99/year (register a domain name with GoDaddy).
The Good:
GoDaddy manages over 59 million domain names, making them the largest domain registrar in the world.
Although, not the best, GoDaddy offers a 24/7 customer support service.
The ability to pay using a credit card, PayPal, GoodasGold, wire check, money order or check.
Each domain registration entitles you to 100 subdomains and email accounts at no additional cost.
The ability to forward your domain name to any website and/or web host.
If you can think of a domain extension, GoDaddy will surely have it.
Simple domain name transfer, especially to existing GoDaddy accounts.
The Bad:
Various upselling offers during the checkout process – I found this very annoying.
The renewal fees are higher when compared to some of the other best domain registrars.
3. 1and1
1and1 is not as popular as some of the other best domain registrars listed on this page. However, I find them to be just as good as the rest; some might even say better. Each domain registration includes several free perks. Their pricing structure is very similar to GoDaddy as they tend to run frequent sales and promotions. Domain names are as low as $0.99/year (register a domain name with 1and1).
The Good:
Their domain management interface is very easy to use.
Each domain name registration features several free perks including unlimited subdomains, DNS management, automatic domain locking and Whois privacy protections.
Customer support is available 24/7.
A simple three step process for transferring existing domains name from a different domain registrar.
Renewal fees are not ridiculously overpriced.
1and1 customers receive special promotions for other products and services such as web hosting and website building tools.
The Bad:
You only get one email address with 2 GB of space. However, you get unlimited email forwarding.
Domain name changes may take a while to go live. For example, pointing your domain name to a web host may take some time to activate and go live.
4. Domain.Com
Domain.com specializes in domain names, along with web hosting and email. Each domain registration features several free perks and features. Their domain names start at $8.99/year (register a domain name with Domain.com).
The Good:
com offers affordable domain names – domains start at $8.99/year.
Competitive renewal fees.
Access to free perks – including URL forwarding, email forwarding, DNS management and automatic transfer locks.
User-friendly account management and interface.
The Bad:
Customer support is slow and not as experience as they should be – most of their customer support team does not speak proper English.
You only get one email account for each domain registration – however, you can purchase additional email accounts.
5. Register.Com
Register.com is the final addition to be list of the best domain registrars. It was acquired by Web.com and has lost some of its reputation in the process. However, if you are looking for a cheap place to register your domains, Register.com is a worthy competitor (register a domain name with Register.com).
The Good:
If you catch one of their sales or promotions, you will be able to purchase a top level domain name for $0.99.
Each new domain registration features free perks – an email account, the ability to forward domain names and various account management tools.
The account dashboard is fairly easy to use and no one should have an issue using it.
Renewal fees are very competitive and special renewal offers are available from time to time.
Constantly updated to feature the newly released domain extensions.
The Bad:
As soon as you search for a domain name, it is automatically added to the cart. So, if you do not want the domain, you have to remove it manually from the cart.
Poor customer service, especially after being acquired by Web.com.
Transferring a domain name from Register.com to a different domain registrar takes about a week on average.
Why I Prefer Namecheap
Finding the best domain registrar to register a domain name is going to be a vital step for your website, blog or business. Custom domain names add value, help showcase and build your newly created or existing brand.
In terms of overall value and reliability, NameCheap is by far the best domain registrar. They offer additional free perks that help manage and secure your domain name. Also, domains can also be transferred in or out with ease. Additionally, NameCheap has various other products and services that may interest you as well.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I think either one of the 5 domain registrars featured above are great places to register a domain name. It is going to come down to user preference and if you care about receiving free perks or not.
While I recommend NameCheap, I understand that everyone is not going to want to register a domain name there. However, if you are looking for free perks, reliable customer support and competitive renewal fees; NameCheap is the domain registrar for you.