How to buy a domain

Buying a domain is four steps: search, choose, pay, point it somewhere. The part that deserves real thought is the first - picking a name worth holding for years.

This page walks through each step and says what to look at, what is optional, and which mistakes are worth avoiding.

4 steps Search, check out, details, DNS

No account needed Browse and configure before signing up

Free to check Availability checks cost nothing

First year is not the point Check the renewal price before ordering

What it is

If the name you want is taken, the suggestion tool offers close alternatives, or you can move to another ending.
Before paying, check three things: how many years you are registering, whether privacy protection is included, and what the renewal price is.
Registrant details go into the global registration system, so they must be true. Where the ending supports privacy protection, it hides the personal fields from the public record.
Once registered, add the DNS record that points at your server, and the domain starts working.

How it works

01

Search the name

Check availability and the price in each ending.

02

Check before paying

Term, privacy and renewal price, then check out.

03

Enter the registrant details

True and complete, including a mailbox you control.

04

Set up DNS

Add the record that points at your server.

Compare endings

One name, all its endings and prices in one view.

Suggestions

Close alternatives when the first choice is taken.

Bulk checking

Several candidates in one pass.

Privacy protection

Hide the public contact details where supported.

DNS ready immediately

Configure records as soon as it is registered.

Orders in one place

Orders, invoices and domain status together.

Four tests for a good name

Not just whether it sounds nice

Can it be said out loud? If somebody can spell it correctly after hearing it once, it is workable.
Is it unambiguous? Avoid hyphens, doubled letters, and mixing digits with letters - 0 against o, 1 against l.
Is it clear of trademarks? Do not register a name containing somebody else s brand. For brand use, check first.
Will it still fit in five years? A narrow name ages badly. For long-term use, a generic ending is safer.

Three things to check at checkout

The real cost is not in year one

Item	Why it matters
Renewal price	Some endings are cheap in year one and much dearer to renew. Long-term cost follows the renewal price
Term	Registering several years locks in the price and pushes the next renewal out
Privacy	Whether it is included, and at what level, decides what the public record shows

What to do once it is registered

Registering is the start

Add the DNS records that point at your server or website builder.
Turn on auto-renew, or set a reminder 30 days before expiry.
Turn on the registrar lock to prevent an unauthorised transfer.
For anything customer-facing, set up mail on the domain so the addresses match the brand.
Add a certificate where the site will be served over HTTPS.

What every order includes

Availability search

Free to check, order what is available.

Price comparison across endings

Registration and renewal side by side.

Registrant registration

Accurate details submitted as ICANN requires.

Privacy options

Hide what the public record would show.

DNS management

Records configured straight after registration.

Electronic invoices

Downloadable once payment completes.

Common questions

Do I need an account before buying?

No. Browse, check availability and build a cart first. The account is created at checkout in the same step as the order.

Does searching cost anything?

No. Only registration, renewal and transfer cost money.

Why is renewal dearer than the first year?

First-year prices often reflect a registry promotion, while renewals follow the standard price. The pricing page lists both so the difference is visible before you order.

Can I register for several years at once?

Yes. Registering several years locks in the current price and reduces expiry risk. The maximum depends on the ending.

Can I get a refund if I change my mind?

No. Once registered, the registry fee has been incurred and is not refundable. Check the name and ending once more before ordering.

Please note

Check the renewal price before ordering, not only the first-year price. A domain is a long-term cost, and the renewal price is what determines it.
Registrant details must be accurate. Invented details breach the registration agreement and can lead to suspension.