9+ BEST Domain Registrars for 2022 [Ranked][Top Picks]

What Are Domain Registrars?

Domain registrars are organizations that manage the reservation of internet domain names.

Individuals and organizations can register a domain name with a registrar, which gives them exclusive use of that domain name for a certain period of time.

After that period expires, they can renew their registration or let the domain name go back into the pool of available names.

Domain registrars are accredited by ICANN (the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers), which is the organization that oversees the Domain Name System (DNS). Registrars must follow ICANN’s policies and procedures for managing domain names.

Most registrars offer additional services beyond just registering and renewing domain names. For example, many registrars will also help you set up your DNS records, transfer your domain name to another registrar, and more.

Best Domain Registrars

#1 Google Domains

domain registrars

Google Domains is a registrar operated by Google. It’s one of the newer entrants in the domain name business, having launched in 2015.

However, it has quickly become a popular choice for users thanks to its user-friendly interface, competitive pricing, and integration with other Google products.

Google Domains offers many features that are typically only available from more expensive registrars, such as private registration, email forwarding, and custom subdomains.

It also offers free email and phone support 24/7, which is rare among registrars.

Pricing: Google Domains prices start at $12 per year for most domains. However, some domains (such as .com and .net) cost more.

#2 Hover

Hover is a subsidiary of Tucows, one of the oldest companies in the internet business. They offer simple domain management with no upsells or extras.

Pricing: Prices start at $12.99 per year for .com domains

Features: Domain forwarding, email forwarding, privacy protection, WHOIS lookup

#3 GoDaddy

GoDaddy is one of the largest domain registrars in the world, with over 59 million domains under management. They offer a wide variety of products and services beyond just domain registration.

Pricing: Prices start at $11.99 per year for .com domains

Features: Domain forwarding, email forwarding, privacy protection, DNS management, WHOIS lookup, website builder, online store builder, SSL certificates

#4 SquareSpace

SquareSpace is best known as a website builder, but they also offer domain registration and email services. Their focus is on making it easy for anyone to create a beautiful website, regardless of their technical skill level.

Pricing: Prices start at $20 per year for .com domains

Features: Domain forwarding, email forwarding, privacy protection, DNS management, WHOIS lookup, website builder, online store builder

#5 DreamHost

DreamHost is another popular web hosting company that offers domain registration as an add-on service. They are known for their excellent customer support and user-friendly interface.

Pricing: Prices start at $11.95 per year for .com domains

Features: Domain forwarding, email forwarding, privacy protection, DNS management, WHOIS lookup, free URL masking

#6 Domain.com

Domain.com is a popular domain registrar with over 2 million customers. They offer affordable domain names, as well as a variety of other web hosting and online marketing services.

Pricing: Prices start at $9.99 per year for .com domains

Features: Domain forwarding, email forwarding, privacy protection, DNS management, WHOIS lookup, website builder, online store builder, SSL certificates

#7 Bluehost

Bluehost is one of the largest web hosting companies in the world, and they offer a variety of services beyond just domain registration. They are known for their excellent customer support and user-friendly interface.

Pricing: Prices start at $11.99 per year for .com domains

Features: Domain forwarding, email forwarding, privacy protection, DNS management, WHOIS lookup, website builder, online store builder

#8 Name.com

Name.com is a popular domain registrar with over 3 million customers. They offer affordable domain names, as well as a variety of other web hosting and online marketing services.

Pricing: Prices start at $9.99 per year for .com domains

Features: Domain forwarding, email forwarding, privacy protection, DNS management, WHOIS lookup, website builder, online store builder, SSL certificates

#9 Namecheap

Namecheap is one of the most popular domain registrars, with over 10 million domains under management. They offer competitive pricing, good customer support, and a user-friendly interface.

Pricing: Prices start at $10.69 per year for .com domains

Features: Domain forwarding, email forwarding, privacy protection, DNS management, WHOIS lookup, free URL masking

Domain registrars offer a variety of features, so it’s important to choose the one that’s right for you. Be sure to consider your needs and budget when making your decision.

What Is a Domain Registrar?

Choosing a Domain Registrar

When you’re ready to register a domain name, you’ll need to choose a registrar. There are many excellent registrars to choose from, so how do you know which one is right for you?

Here are some factors to consider:

Reputation

Make sure the registrar is well-established and has a good reputation. You can check online reviews to get an idea of what other customers think of the registrar.

Accreditation

As mentioned above, all registrars must be accredited by ICANN. You can check ICANN’s website to confirm that a registrar is accredited.

Pricing

Domain registrars typically charge an annual fee for each domain name you register. Some registrars offer discounts for bulk purchases, and some offer cheaper domains for the first year with the option to renew at a higher price. Be sure to compare pricing among different registrars to find the best deal.

Features

Domain registrars offer a variety of features, such as domain forwarding, email forwarding, privacy protection, and DNS management. Some registrars also offer website builder and online store builder tools. Make sure the registrar you choose offers the features you need.

Customer Support

If you have any questions or problems when registering your domain name, you’ll want to make sure the registrar has good customer support. You can check online reviews to see what other customers think of the registrar’s customer service.

The registrar you choose should have a good reputation, be accredited by ICANN, offer competitive pricing, and have a variety of features. It’s also important to consider the registrar’s customer service. Do they have a good reputation for providing quality support?

Domain Registrars – FAQs

What is a domain registrar?

A domain registrar is an organization that allows you to purchase and register a domain name. Once you have registered a domain name, you can use it for your website, email address, or both.

What are the benefits of registering my domain with a registrar?

There are several benefits of registering your domain with a registrar:

  • You will own the rights to your domain name.
  • You can choose a unique and memorable domains name for your website or email address.
  • Domain registration is fairly inexpensive, and most registrars offer discounts if you register multiple domains at once.
  • Registrars will also provide other services such as web hosting, email hosting, and domain privacy (which we will discuss later).

What is the difference between domain name registrar and registry?

A domain name registrar is a company that allows individuals and organizations to register a domain name. A domain name registry is the organization that manages the database of all registered domain names.

ICANN (the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) is the organization that oversees both registrars and registries.

What are the differences between registrars?

Not all registrars are created equal – there can be significant differences in price, features, customer service, and more.

It’s important to do your research before choosing a registrar. Some things you may want to consider include:

Price

Registrars typically charge an annual fee for domain registration. However, prices can vary significantly – some registrars may offer discounts for multiple years of registration, while others may have special introductory rates.

Features

Some registrars offer additional features such as web hosting or email hosting. If you’re looking for these services, you may want to choose a registrar that offers them.

Customer service

If you have questions or need help with your domain, you’ll want to choose a registrar with good customer service. Look for features such as 24/7 customer support, live chat, and a knowledge base of articles and FAQs.

Domain privacy

Domain privacy is a service offered by some registrars that hides your personal information (such as your name, address, and phone number) from Whois – the database of registered domains. This can be useful if you want to keep your information private, but it typically comes at an additional cost.

What is the Whois database?

The Whois database is a directory of registered domains and their associated contact information. When you register a domain, your personal information (such as your name, address, and phone number) is added to the Whois database.

Can I register a domain without using my personal information?

Yes – most registrars offer domain privacy, which hides your personal information from the Whois database. Domain privacy typically costs an additional fee, but it can be worth it if you want to keep your information private.

What is SSL?

SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) is a protocol that encrypts data transmitted between a website and a user’s web browser. SSL is typically used to protect sensitive information such as credit card numbers and passwords.

Some registrars offer SSL certificates as an add-on service. If you’re interested in using SSL for your website, you may want to choose a registrar that offers this service.

How do I transfer my domain to a new registrar?

If you’re not happy with your current registrar, you can transfer your domain to a new one. The process varies depending on the registrars involved, but typically you will need to initiate the transfer from your current registrar and then approve it at the new registrar. There is usually a fee involved, and the transfer may take a few days to complete.

Before transferring your domain, be sure to check if there are any restrictions (such as time limits) and whether you will need to renew your registration.

What is DNS?

DNS (Domain Name System) is a system that converts human-readable domain names (such as example.com) into IP addresses (such as 192.0.2.1). DNS is used to route traffic on the internet – when you type a domain name into your web browser, DNS directs your request to the correct server.

Most registrars offer DNS management as a included with domain registration. This means that you can manage your DNS records (such as A records, CNAME records, and MX records) from your registrar’s control panel.

What is an A record?

An A record is a type of DNS record that maps a domain name to an IP address. A records are used to direct traffic from your domain to your website’s server.

What is a CNAME record?

A CNAME record is a type of DNS record that maps a domain name to another domain name. CNAME records are typically used to alias one domain name to another – for example, you could use a CNAME record to redirect www.example.com to example.com.

What is an MX record?

An MX record is a type of DNS record that specifies the mail server responsible for receiving email for a domain. MX records are used to route email for a domain – when you send an email to someone at example.com, the MX records for example.com will direct your email to the correct mail server.

What is an Registrar Lock?

Registrar lock (also known as registrar-lock or lock status) is a feature offered by some registrars that prevents unauthorized changes to your domain registration. Registrar lock can be useful if you want to prevent your domain from being transferred to another registrar without your permission.

Not all registrars offer registrar lock, and it is not required by ICANN. However, if you want this feature, be sure to check if the registrar you’re considering offers it.

What is ICANN?

ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) is a nonprofit organization that is responsible for overseeing the Domain Name System (DNS). ICANN accredits registrars, which are companies that sell domain names.

If you have any questions about your domain name or registrar, you can contact ICANN for help.

Summary – Domain Registrars

Domain registrars are organizations that manage the reservation of internet domain names.

Individuals and organizations can register a domain name with a registrar, which gives them exclusive use of that domain name for a certain period of time. After that period expires, they can renew their registration or let the domain name go back into the pool of available names.

Domain registrars are accredited by ICANN (the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers), which is the organization that oversees the Domain Name System (DNS). Registrars must follow ICANN’s policies and procedures for managing domain names.

There are many domain registrars to choose from, and the services they offer can vary widely. Some registrars offer additional services such as web hosting or email, while others focus solely on domain name registration.

When choosing a domain registrar, it’s important to consider your needs and budget. Some registrars offer discounts for multi-year registrations, while others have no-frills packages that are more affordable.

To transfer a domain name to a new registrar, you will need to initiate the transfer at your current registrar and then approve it at the new registrar. There is usually a fee involved, and the transfer may take a few days to complete. Be sure to check if there are any restrictions on transferring your domain name before initiating the process.

If you have any questions about your domain name or registrar, you can contact ICANN for help. ICANN is the organization that oversees the Domain Name System (DNS), and they can help resolve issues with your domain name or registrar.

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