Our third party reviewers compared the leading domain registrar for you
Best Domain Registrars Reviewed
about Weebly
Weebly Pros & Cons
Why Weebly
• Sign up for domains in seconds
• Easily manage and renew your domains
• Get great domain names at fantastic prices
• Excellent customer service
Why Namecheap?
Overal Rating #1
•great support
•constantly adding new features
• makes it easy to register a top level domain
Why IONOS?
Overal Rating #2
- Low cost and easy to use
- Wide range of features and services
- 24/7 customer support
- Compatible with a variety of eCommerce platforms
Why Godaddy?
Overal Rating #3
| Services | Cost | Features | Ease of Use | Security | Support | Total | Review |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Godaddy | 6 | 8.4 | 8.1 | 8 | 7.9 | 38.4 | Learn More |
| Namecheap | 10 | 9.1 | 8.7 | 9.5 | 8.7 | 46 | Learn More |
| Network Solutions | 6 | 6.9 | 7.1 | 8 | 4.8 | 32.8 | Learn More |
| IONOS | 8 | 9.3 | 9.2 | 10 | 8.7 | 45.2 | Learn More |
| Domain.com | 6 | 7.5 | 7.1 | 6 | 6.5 | 33.1 | Learn More |
How to Choose the Best Domain Registrar?
Like you, I was a bit baffled the first time I tried to register a domain name. After all, I’m just a sasquatch! But now that I’ve gone through the process, I understand what it takes to find a great domain registrar.
There are a lot of factors to consider. Some domain registrars are more expensive than others. Some offer a wider range of top-level domains than others (don’t worry, I’ll get into what those are). Finally, some allow you to add on additional services for an extra charge, like site hosting, website building, advanced security features and more.
Which is best for you? Don’t worry. I didn’t leave my home in the woods and trek all the way to this internet cafe to leave you hanging. I’m here to guide you along your path...and also drink this lovely moss and lichen chai latte.
I asked a friend to review the top 5 registers, their results are in the table below. If you need more information on each service just click on the learn more links. Enjoy.
What Is a Domain Registrar?
Domain name registrars are businesses that let customers claim available domain names. Once purchased, the registrar will assign the domain an IP address, a numeric address like 192.168.1.1, which acts as the domain name’s permanent address on the internet.
Interestingly, domain names are a lot like the trees I call home. I can’t own a tree in my forest. The forest owns the tree. I’m just borrowing it. Domain names are owned by domain name registries (that are separate from registrars...I know, confusing).
When you “buy” a domain name from a registrar, the registrar is actually just reserving the domain from the registry in your name and setting up a temporary rental agreement. As long as you keep paying for the domain, it remains in your control. If you stop paying, you lose it. Because it was never actually yours.
Where Do You Register a Domain Name?
The simple answer is, with a domain registrar! The longer answer is, online, through a domain registrar’s website. Domain name registrars offer their services through a simple, online purchasing process that takes you step-by-step through claiming your domain, setting up security, and any other add-on services you’re interested in.
It’s actually more accurate to say that SOME registrars offer a simple process. Others are more complicated. But that’s why I’m here. The Simple Sasquatch tool can factor this into its recommendations if simplicity is a concern for you
Where Do You Register a Domain Name?
The simple answer is, with a domain registrar! The longer answer is, online, through a domain registrar’s website. Domain name registrars offer their services through a simple, online purchasing process that takes you step-by-step through claiming your domain, setting up security, and any other add-on services you’re interested in.
It’s actually more accurate to say that SOME registrars offer a simple process. Others are more complicated. But that’s why I’m here. The Simple Sasquatch tool can factor this into its recommendations if simplicity is a concern for you.
What’s a Top-Level Domain?
In the forest, we call this “the canopy”, but in the human world, top-level domains (TLDs) are the highest classification off domain names. The ones you’re familiar with, .com, .net, and .org are the original top-level domains. Every .com, from google.com to simplesasquatch.com fall under the .com TLD.
But these three aren’t the only choices anymore. In the last few years, hundreds of new TLDs have been added. Now you can find .biz, .io, .page, .store, .design, and many, many more. But not all TLDs are accessible through every domain registrar, so if you have a specific one in mind, you’ll have to check around.
How Much Do Domain Names Cost?
Most cost 10 to 15 pine cones or the bark from one oak sapling. Oh, sorry! Humans use money. I’m still getting used to that. Don’t try to pay in pine cones. You won’t get very far.
Prices for domain names are charged annually and can vary quite a bit between registrars. You can also pay more or less depending on the top-level domain you choose. The originals are fairly inexpensive, but some of the newer ones cost more. In general, you’re looking at $10 to $20 a year. Discounts are available if you pay for multiple years at once.
Add-ons can drive up the price. If you opt for an anonymous listing, email services, hosting, or any of the other supplementary services your price will go up.
How to Choose the Top Domain Registrar?
You could spend countless hours researching the relative merits and various offers of the myriad domain name registrars out there, or you could consult with me, the Simple Sasquatch. I’ll give you specific recommendations based on your answers to a series of questions. I’ve already done the research so that you don’t have to. In no time you’ll have a custom domain registrar recommendation that fits your exact needs.
Domain Registrar FAQs
What does a domain registrar do?
A domain registrar is probably one of the less-talked-about heroes of the digital world. Every domain name out there exists because a domain registrar - a much-needed middleman between domain seekers and domain providers - made it happen. Domain names are so important for distinguishing websites from each other; without domain registrars, web surfing would be a messy affair! For domain seekers (people who need the perfect domain name to represent their website), domain registrars can provide an invaluable service by quickly finding registered availability and reporting back any new registration requests that have been made. For us domain seekers, this means that we're provided with peace of mind around having our domain name ideas secured before someone else snatches them away! Domain registrars are also involved in the ongoing management of domains, for example maintaining accurate contact and renewal information linked to the domain. In summary, domain registrars are an essential part of bringing domain names to reality! Go domain registrars! #sarcasm not included. ;-) So don't forget to thank yours when you check out your site's status next time. They'll be glad they know they've done their job well!
Is GoDaddy a domain registrar?
Yes, GoDaddy is a domain registrar and it sure shows. If you have been looking for other domain registrars, look no further — GoDaddy has you covered. Want to register domains? Yes, they can do that too! And if you just want to purchase web hosting or domains for your business, GoDaddy is a great place to start. All of their services are competitively priced and streamlined for efficiency. Plus, there are plenty of other options available from other registries if you prefer something other than GoDaddy. So take a deep breath, gather your paperwork, and get ready to register with the best in the business: GoDaddy! They make registering a breeze with their easy-to-use website and customer service that’s there for you when you need help. It may not be perfect — but it certainly does the job. Consider giving them a try today!
Do I need a domain registrar?
The domain registrar: you need it, you want it, but where do you even begin? Theoretically, domain hosting and domain registration should be two very convenient things. But registering a domain presents challenges even seasoned web developers can find daunting. And domain registrars are all too happy to charge an arm, a leg (not to mention what feels like your firstborn). But before we limp away in search of something else like other domain registrar services or the proverbial greener pastures, let's take stock of why we need a domain registrar in the first place. After all, websites don't create themselves--they are built and maintained through domains registered with domain registrars. Put simply, domain registrars make the business of having an online presence much easier. In addition to helping entrepreneurs start businesses without any risk of crummy typos ruining their brand name, domain providers help customers manage domain names and whatever goes with that--redirects, mail servers and more. In short, yes you need a domain registrar...or at least one extremely talented IT buddy who can match whatever services a domain provider offers! Either way you go about it -- depending on your needs and resources -- get yourself registered today! It'll be worth it!
What are the best domain name registrars Why?
Looking for the best domain name registrar? You’ve come to the right place! We all know that registering a memorable and SEO-friendly domain name is essential to increasing your website’s visibility, and there are lots of options out there. Here are some of the top contenders: Namecheap, IONOS, and domain.com. Namecheap offers registration and transfer services at competitive prices, plus they have excellent customer service and keep their hosting easy to manage. IONOS provides great packages for emails, roaming access, and server deployments—definitely a great choice if you need advanced features beyond just domain name registration. Finally Domain.com offers these features and more as part of their enterprise-grade apps for web security protection. All in all, any one of these companies would do an outstanding job helping you find your perfect domain name--it's really just a matter of personal preference! No matter which you choose, you can be sure that your site's name will stay safe with one of the best domain name registrars around!
Does it matter which domain registrar I use?
When choosing a domain registrar, it's tempting to think that all options are the same. After all, how different could one company be from another? Quite a bit, as I soon discovered! While some companies offer blazing speeds and decent customer service, others can make you feel like a second-class citizen with their low-quality features and frustratingly slow processing. Even seemingly small things like website design, account management tools and domain privacy protection can vary greatly from one registrar to the next. So when selecting an ISP for your domain registration needs, do your homework and don't just pick the first one that comes along. Your choice may not seem important now - but trust me, you'll thank yourself later when your site is up and running smoothly! And remember: no matter which company you choose, always have fun with your web adventure! :) That should always be at the top of the list!
