Most small businesses are hesitant to register their domain name for so many reasons. Some people think that it’s not their priority as they can leverage social media for their business, while some others already plan to get one despite not knowing the best place to buy their small business domain name. 

This post will elaborate on how having a domain name can be beneficial for you and where you can buy one for your small business. So, are you ready to get one and start a website for your business? 

Why You Need A Domain Name For Your Small Business

A domain name, or some of us know as a URL and a website address, is a simple yet essential thing in the internet business world. While you can use a free subdomain through web hosts like WordPress.com or even Blogger, registering a domain name for your small business is not expensive. 

For as low as $10 a year, your small business can have a domain name that will allow you to build your online visibility and expand your market digitally. 

If you’re still unsure what benefits you can get from having a domain name for your business, here we go!

#1: It increases your business credibility

With the vast information spread throughout the internet, customers get smarter these days. Having a website will give your business credibility that could be a plus point for potential customers. 

You can try to learn how to build your own website from Hostinger’s tutorial that shows easy steps from scratch until publishing it online.

In addition to that, you can also create a customized email address with your own domain to increase your business legitimacy. Using a company email address not only can be used as a free advertising platform for your business, it will also increase the result when you try to generate leads using email marketing. For an in-depth understanding of ensuring domain safety and privacy for your small business, explore this beginner’s guide to domain protection which offers valuable insights into securing your business’s online presence effectively.

Even as a customer, you tend to trust an email using a company domain than the one using Gmail or Yahoo mail, right?

#2: It helps to increase your brand awareness

Having a domain name for your small business can be a simple tool to build your brand awareness online. Combined with the social media strategy, having a website with your brand name can complement your holistic marketing strategy. 

It can also be beneficial for your business as you will have your own authority to create your own sales funnel on your website. 

If you have a business that relies on a big e-commerce website like Amazon or eBay, running your business through your own website means that you don’t have to worry about getting your account suspended or any other case that might harm your workflow. 

#3: It allows you to generate leads for your business

Registering a domain name for your small business and creating a website enable you to set up a marketing funnel easily for your business. 

There are plenty of reasons why your website can bring value to your marketing strategy. For example, you can connect your social media page to your website to make it more accessible for your audience. You can also choose an email marketing software to build your email list.

Having your domain and website running will also enhance your branding game by incorporating them into your business kit. InvoiceBerry allows you to add your business website to your invoice template, along with your other business details.

Where You Can Buy Domain Name For Your Small Business

Now that you’re sure about getting a domain name for your business, what’s next? 

A domain name registrar is a business that allows you to register your domain name. While it handles the reservation of your domain name, it will also assign the IP address for your domain name. 

There are plenty of options for these registrars, and while it works similar to one and the others, the only differences between these companies usually have something to do with their customer service and other available features such as email service, SSL certificate, or WhoIs protection. 

Here are some domain name registrars where you can consider purchasing one for your small business. 

1. GoDaddy

GoDaddy is probably one of the well-known domain name registrars, if not the most popular one. It has a strong reputation that provides not only domain registration, but also web hosting services. 

For as low as $2 per year, you can already purchase a domain name for your business. However, the fee will likely be increased on the second year you use the service, although their annual fee is still affordable regardless. 

Another downside about GoDaddy is also their live chat support that is not available 24/7. It can be challenging if you’re a beginner who will rely on their customer service to ensure that you set up your domain the right way.

2. Bluehost

Bluehost is a US-based hosting provider that also offers hosting-related products that are beyond domain names. Apart from domain and web hosting, you can also get a VPS (virtual private server) or a dedicated server for your website. 

While the fee for the .com domain is slightly higher than GoDaddy, Bluehost offers unlimited bandwidth that will be beneficial if your website has a lot of traffic. 

Although they currently only offer US-based servers for your website, they have a 24/7 live chat support that is reliable no matter where you are. 

3. Domain.com

Domain.com can be the best option for small businesses to buy their domain name. Not only is it affordable with as low as $9 per year for .com domain, they also offer Website Builder support that can be a total game-changer even for a beginner who just starts their website. 

Shared and VPS hostings are available at Domain.com, and you’re eligible to get a domain name for free for the first year if you have hosting there too. 

Their customer service and ticket support are also available 24/7 through their live chat feature. The only downside of using Domain.com is that they only provide shared hosting. There’s no option for a dedicated server for your website if you need it. 

4. Hostgator

Like the previous two domain name registrars, Hostgator is also a subsidiary of Newfold Digital along with Bluehost, Domain.com, and many others. Compared to its counterparts, Hostgator is more known for its cheaper hosting plan. 

However, you can also buy a domain name for your small business starting from $1 per year. While they sure know how to reach their market through their promotional offers, their renewal fee could be higher than the starting fee multiple times. 

5. One.com

If the previous domain name registrars are mostly based in the USA, One.com is one of the largest registrars in Europe. 

Having a headquarter in Denmark, One.com might not be the cheapest option to purchase a domain name for your small business. However, One.com has a simple interface that is probably easier than its counterparts. In addition to that, it comes with a website builder feature that allows you to use a drag and drop feature like Domain.com. 

6. Namecheap

One of the most budget-friendly domain name registrars, Namecheap offers an annual fee of only $8.88 per year. And the latter applies to the .com domain, which is the most high-demand one for businesses. If you’re open to choosing with the less popular domains like .xyz or .online, it can go as low as just $0.99 per year!

Namecheap gives all the basic needs if you need a domain name for your business. In addition, it has good customer service and provides the security and protection you need for your domain name. All at a relatively low price!

7. Dreamhost

Dreamhost may be less popular than GoDaddy, but it seems to be one of the most recommended hosting providers by web developers and digital marketers. 

Their domain name for .com starts from only $7.99 for the first year, with a renewal fee of $15.99 in the following year. However, if you’re also looking for an all-in-one web hosting provider, Dreamhost can be the best option as it also offers free domain if you use it for the hosting as well. 

8. CrazyDomains.com

While CrazyDomains.com doesn’t have the best review in terms of its hidden fees and customer service, it can be an alternative choice if you look for a place to buy a domain name for your small business. 

CrazyDomains.com offers a wide range of top-level domains, starting from $4.20 for the first year, depending on what type of domain you choose for your business. But just like some other domain name registrars in the market, be vigilant about the renewal fee as they can increase the annual fee multiple times from the first year!

9. Hover

Unlike some other domain name registrars that usually offer a one-stop web solution for their customers, Hover only focuses on selling, managing, and transferring domains on their platform. In addition to domains, they also offer email services that can also do the tricks for your small businesses. 

Hover is quite straightforward regarding its pricing as they outline their annual fee structure based on the first year and the renewal fee on their page. Although compared to their other competitors, their fee is on the higher end, with $12.99 for a .com domain in the first year. 

10. Google Domain

Google Domain can be a practical choice if you’re planning to use other Google services like G-suite or Google Search Console for your business. Buying a domain name for your small business on Google Domain means that you can easily connect it to them. 

If you’re already a Google user, you don’t have to create a new account to register a domain name for your business. It also comes with two-step authentication for your account protection. 

11. Hostinger

Like some other web hosting providers, Hostinger also offers a free domain name if you purchase web hosting with them. It also allows you to buy a domain name separately from as low as $0.99 for the first year. 

Hostinger has a relatively good user interface with 24/7 chat support that can be a game-changer if you need their customer service in the odd hours. While web hosting remains their best-selling product, their domain and email services can also benefit your small business. 

12. Web.com

If the other domain name registrars allow you to purchase just a domain name for your small business, Web.com also comes with an additional package to opt for your business. 

Their starter package starts from as low as $1.95 per month, including a website builder and hundreds of design layouts for your website. If you’re looking into building an e-commerce website, their package starts from only $3.95 per month. 

The downside of Web.com would be their renewal fee that could come out pretty shocking compared to their starting fee, which could go up to $22 per month. 

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13. HostPapa

The brand HostPapa somewhat sounds like a wordplay of their competitor, GoDaddy. But unlike GoDaddy and some other domain name registrars that are usually under a big corporation, HostPapa is a privately owned independent company that is not affiliated with the big three web holding companies (GoDaddy, Endurance, and Web.com).

HostPapa is suitable if you’re a small business owner who prefers going with independent companies for your vendors. The starting price for a domain name on HostPapa is starting from $1.99 for a .xyz domain. 

14. Dynadot

Another alternative if you’re looking for a budget-friendly domain name for your business, Dynadot offers a .com domain for $6.99 in the first year. Their renewal rate is still relatively affordable, as they will charge only $8.99 after a year. 

Along with many other domain registrars, Dynadot also has web hosting and web builder as their complimentary services. However, the company is more known for its service as a domain registrar, making it one of the market leaders in the industry. 

15. OnlyDomains.com

OnlyDomains.com offers plenty of options for domain, as they provide a list of available domains from the generic .com to regional-based domain names like .eu and others for your business. 

The list they provide can be seen as both advantage and disadvantage if you’re looking for registering a domain name for your business. On one side, the myriad options will keep your mind open to pick one that is relevant to your market and industry. However, you may also end up being indecisive about which one works the best for your business. 

If you’re looking into a standard .com domain, the starting fee is as low as $9.99, with a renewal fee that might be applicable in the second year. 

16. Namesilo

Namesilo has an exquisite branding position. They claim to be one of the few domain name registrars globally with over 3 million active domains. And that might have something to do with Namesilo being one of the few domain registrars that don’t have renewal upcharges in their service. 

For the generic .com domain, they offer only $8.99 per year with some exceptions for non-mainstream domains like .me or .co, which renewal fee might be applied. 

17. Network Solutions

Network Solutions is one of the reputable web hosting companies in the market. While they are primarily a domain registrar, their downside is that their pricing structure is not transparent compared to their competitors. 

Being the first company to register domain names for the public in 1979, Network Solutions absolutely has something to offer. If you’re looking into a domain registrars with a sustainable business, this one is your go to. 

The average domain name on Network Solution is around $20 for the first years, with a renewable fee of around $37.99 for a standard .com domain. 

18. 1&1 IONOS

If you’re looking for a domain name for only $1 in the first year, 1&1 IONOS is the answer. Even for the standard .com domain, their renewal fee on the second year is only $15, which is still quite affordable in the market. 

In addition to their special offer that is quite hard to resist, a domain name is not the only thing that they offer. You can also get a professional email with your domain for another $1 for a year. In the second year, you only have to pay $2 per year. It definitely sounds like a bargain for a small business to make it look professional, right? 

19. Name.com

Name.com is suitable if you’re planning to purchase a domain name in bulk. 

For example, if you want to buy a domain name for your small business, instead of just paying $9.99 for a .com domain on Name.com, you can also purchase three domains for only $27.99. And this includes the standard domain name for small businesses, such as .net and .org. 

20. Porkbun

If you’re looking for another option for domain name registrars with a transparent pricing structure, Porkbun can be another alternative for you. While their brand sounds more like a food brand, they claim as the #1 registrar with the lowest registration and renewal price, and it’s true!

They offer a standard .com domain for only $8.58 per year. And on top of that, the renewal fee will be the same as the first year. Porkbun can be a good choice if you’re also planning to purchase domain names in bulk for your small business. 

21. Register.com

Another domain name registrar owned by Web.com, Register.com has a similar user experience with Network Solutions as they don’t provide a transparent pricing structure for their service. 

While they offer a domain name for as low as $5, you still have to pay for private domain registration for an extra $11. Compared to some other registrars that are more straightforward in terms of customer experience, Register.com might not be everyone’s cup of tea, although they still do the work if you want to buy your small business domain name. 

Conclusion

Essentially, all domain name registrars have the same process when you purchase a domain name for your business. The only thing that makes one stand out from the others is their suitability for your project and budget. 

Some platforms might have more advantages in terms of the pricing structure, while the others can offer thorough customer service that can be a plus point for a business owner who just gets started with their online visibility. 

So, which factor do you consider most important when you buy your small business domain?