The Top Domain Registrars | 2018 Guide

Domain names are your gateway to the online world. Once you have a brilliant idea for a website or blog, then you’re going to want a compelling domain name to go with it.

If you want to purchase a domain name for your website, you’re going to need to work with a domain name registrar. Domain name registrars are the companies that manage the domain names behind all of your favorite websites. Now, it’s time to add yours to the list.

Most registrars come equipped with a similar sets of features, but also have distinct advantages and disadvantages.

Below we dive into what a domain name registrar actually is, how to choose the right registrar for you, what to watch out for, and the good and bad of some of the most popular domain registrars out there.

My top four domain registrars are :

#1 NameCheap
#2 Bluehost
#3 Hostgator
#4 Hostinger

Let’s get to it.

What is a Domain Name Registrar?

To put it simply a domain name registrar is a service that lets you register and purchase domain names. Domain name registrars have been accredited by ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers), which is a non-profit who has been delegated the responsibility to manage the Domain Name System.

Without the domain name system all we would have is confusing and hard-to-remember IP addresses, instead of the easy to use and remember domain names we have today.

For example, let’s say you’re planning on selling custom Google Pixel cases and you want to build a site around that. You’d head over to a domain name registrar and register the domain name “custompixelcases.com”. Of course, you could only register this domain name if it is still available.

During this time you’d also choose the top-level-domain for your URL. This are the extensions like.com, .org, .co, .io, etc., that follows your custom domain name.

Most domain name registrars today make it dead simple to purchase and renew your domain names, still you need to choose wisely, as each register has their associated positives and negatives. Below we’ll show you what you need to look out for when choosing the right domain name registrar for you.

How to Choose the Right Registrar

Today there are hundreds of domain name registrars to choose from.

Once you’ve found the perfect domain name for your needs you need to take special care in purchasing it through the right registrar. Below we highlight a few factors you’ll want to consider during your search.

1. Domain Transfers
You probably won’t want to transfer your domain right away (if you’ve done your research), but it is something that might arise in the future. Domain transferring is the process of moving your domain from one registrar to another.

Make sure you check the transfer details in your policy. In most cases, you won’t be able to transfer a domain for 60 days following your registration. Some domain name registrars don’t allow for transfers, or they’ll even charge you a fee.

On the other hand, some registrars allow for easy transfer of your domain, all without an additional charge.

2. Contract and Pricing
This is probably your most immediate focus. When looking through various domain name registrars you’ll come across a variety of pricing options. For starters, you can usually register your domain for a period of one, three, five, or even ten years. In some cases you can do it even longer.

If this is your first time registering a domain then we usually recommend just registering a domain name for a year. You can usually turn on automatic renewal, so your domain doesn’t expire, and this will give you the freedom to switch registrars if needed.

Make sure you examine any associated costs in dealing with domain transfers, cost of renewal, and any additional fees they might tack on.

3. Customer Support
You’ll want their support staff to be on your side. You’d hate to be scrambling to get in touch with support when something goes wrong with your site. You want to make sure their support is responsive and helpful well before you actually need it.

When examining the different levels of support you can either read reviews from past and current customers online, or put in a support request and see how quickly they handle your question.

4. Additional ServicesA lot of registrars will offer additional web services well beyond just allowing you to register a domain name. If you’re looking to host your domain names, build your site out, and purchase other certificates, then a lot of domain name registrars can help you do this as well.

So, if you’re looking for an all-in-one domain name registrar and prefer to keep everything under one roof, then you’ll want to compare the pricing of these bundle services as well.

5. Drop CatchingSometimes you might forget to renew your domain name, or your credit card on file might expire. This leads to your domain expiring and it being opened up for other people to purchase. Sometimes your domain can be purchased by another competitor in your space, or it could be purchased completely accidentally.

Whatever the reason, now the domain is no longer in your possession, which means the future of your site, and your business is in jeopardy.

Now, a lot of domain registrars offer a service that holds onto the domain for you for a certain period of time to prevent this from happening. At the very least the registrar you choose should send out reminders that your domain is expiring, before it actually occurs.

What to Watch Out For When Choosing a Domain Name Registrar

Now that you know a couple key features you’ll want to keep an eye on, we’re going to show you a few things you’ll want to look out for. Some of these might be a little hard to track down, and you’ll have to look into the fine print. That being said, it’ll be well worth it, and you’ll end up with an even better domain registrar choice.

1. Pricing Add-ons

Some domain registrars will tack on added fees just as you’re about to purchase your domain name. The most common added fees are WHOIS registration and privacy protection. So, when you see a domain being advertised for a super cheap price this might not always be the final price.

Before you complete your purchase make sure you’re not paying too much for your domain. A lot of domain registrars are very straightforward with their pricing and don’t tack on added fees, what you see if what you get.

You’ll also want to watch out for up-sells that you might involuntarily add to your total, like additional web hosting, multi-year domain registration, and others.

2. Transfer Fees

You might not want to stay with your current registrar forever. Or, maybe you’re eventually planning on selling your current domain. Whatever the reason you’ll want to look out for hidden transfer fees.

Some domain registrars will do this for free, while others will charge a small fee. Make sure their fees are communicated clearly before you end up signing on the dotted line.

3. Poor User Experience

Once you have a domain name in your possession there are certain things you’re going to need to do to get your site up and running, like, setting up the DNS servers, installing a CMS such as WordPress, and creating any associated email addresses.

This can be a real headache if their domain management systems are hard to use. If this is your first time purchasing a domain, then choose a domain registrar that is user friendly.

Now that you know what to keep an eye out for, we’re going to give you a virtual tour of some of the top domain name registrars out there.

Best Domain Name Registrars Compared

Below we offer an inside look into some of the biggest domain name registrars out there. Not every choice below will be the perfect fit for every situation, so take what we have to say, and do your research thoroughly.

1. Namecheap

Namecheap is a solid choice for registering your domain name. Plus, their site is incredibly intuitive and easy to use, especially on their domain management pages, which can be incredibly helpful. They offer reasonable priced domains, and have a free DNS service, and WHOIS protection. They also offer SSL encryption, for those looking to beef up the security of their domains.

Registering a domain with Namecheap currently costs $10.69/year. With that you get 1 year’s free WHOISGuard. Plus, if you run into any issues getting your domain setup they have a ton of easy to follow tutorial videos.

Namecheap has a swift and easy-to-use checkout process, and also have a helpful knowledge-base if you do run into any setbacks. However, they do only offer chat support, so you won’t be able to speak to someone if the need arises. That being said their support is incredibly responsive and helpful.

I have a tutorial for signing up with Namecheap in my guide on how to register a domain name

2. Bluehost

Bluehost is well known as a web host, they’re typically regarded as one of the best hosts for those just getting started online. But, they also let you register domain names as well. If you’re planning on purchasing hosting at the same time you register your domain name, then Bluehost might be a good fit for you.

When you purchase one of their hosting packages you’ll actually be setup with a free domain name. So, if you need to purchase hosting and a domain at the same time, this could be a way to save a little bit of cash.

You can also use this handy little tool to see if your domain name idea is available to buy.

Bluehost has a stellar support team and are available 24/7, 365 days a year. A lot of people end up choosing Bluehost due to their support alone.

3. HostGator

HostGator is a great place to register domains, no matter where you’re at on your online journey. Beyond registering domains they’re mostly known for their hosting. They also offer low-priced hosting and domain registration bundles for as low as $3 a month, which is a total steal. Hosting, Email & a Free Domain for $3 p/m.

If you do purchase a bundle package and decide to get hosting as well, then you’ll be happy to hear that they have a 99.99% up-time, meaning your website will very rarely, if ever, go offline.

Plus, the currently host over 9 million websites on their platform. HostGator provides a solid foundation for you to start your online journey.

4. Hostinger

Hostinger has been around for years. A well established web host and domain registrar, Hostinger attracts 15,000 people a day to its brand, selling hosting and domain names.

Pricing is spot on too, with .coms for $11 for a year including taxes and ICANN fees, which is one of the cheapest offers around for a Dot Com. It renews at $10.99, so it pays to buy the domain for 2 years or more.

If you fancy going for a less well known domain extension like .xyz or .tech, then you can get these domains from Hostinger for as little as $0.99

5. GoDaddy

GoDaddy has been around for a very long time. They’re a domain registrar and a hosting company, so they can do a lot for your site without you having to turn elsewhere. They are the world’s biggest domain name registrar and they also sell a lot of other services to support larger sites, eCommerce sites, and much more.

They cost $14.99/year to register a domain name, but they often run promos where you can register a domain for as little as $0.99.

GoDaddy does offer a great service, but their design and ability to use the service could be improved. You can get the things done you need to get done, but you’ll have to wade through constant up-sells of other products and services and their cluttered layout.

Overall, they do offer stellar phone support, if you’re one of those people who would rather speak to a person, than email. And their chat support is simply okay.

The one thing I absolutely hate about Godaddy is the hard sell once you select your domain name. The extras that they try to add in your basket is a bit too much, and for a newbie, can be quite confusing. Personally I’d use Namecheap, Bluehost or Hostgator over Godaddy, purely for this reason.

6. Hover

Hover officially launched in 2009, but it’s an offshoot of Tucows Inc., which is the third-largest ICANN accredited registrar online. Hover is essentially a merger of three big players in the domain registrar space.

Hover is great in that they’re incredibly straightforward. They offer domain registering and that’s it. For that reason it’s very easy to register a domain with them, because that’s all they do. You won’t be bombarded with endless up-sells and advertisements for other services of theirs.

The process of setting up your domain names is also quite seamless and their back-end is quite nice to use.

Since they just focus their service around this one thing there support is also excellent, and you’ll always have a real person handling your request.

However, there are certain drawbacks to Hover. For starters, they don’t offer hosting, if you’re looking for a bundled package, then you’ll have to look elsewhere. They are also pricier when compared to other domain registrars.

They offer different pricing schemes based upon which top level domains you’re going to be using. However, .com domains start at $12.99 for domain registration, $14.99 for a renewal, and $10.99 for transferring a domain name. For a more comprehensive pricing list, take a look at their guidelines on their website.

7. Gandi

Gandi was founded way back in 1999, which in Internet years makes it about 100 years old. Currently, the company offers over 350 different domain extensions and manage over 1.5 million domain names worldwide.

They’re great in that you don’t have to worry on being sold on additional services you aren’t looking for. Their business plan is to offer the best possible domain registration experience for the most reasonable price possible.

Gandi is also very upfront about their pricing. They give a clear breakdown of the varying pricing levels and what each each level of service entails. Currently, they charge $15.50 to register a domain and the domain transfer fee is $8.00.

However, if you’re based in the U.S., then you might run into a language barrier, due to their company being based in France. Their support channels also aren’t as abundant as other platforms, currently they only offer a contact form on their website to deal with support issues.

If you’re looking for a hosting company that’s as straightforward as can be, then Gandi might be the right choice for you, after all their slogan is “no bullshit”.

8. Dreamhost

Dream-host was founded way back in 1997. Today they’re a full fledged hosting provider and domain name registrar. They now host over 1.5 million websites and have over 400,000 customers. If you’re looking for a domain name registrar that also offers hosting, then Dream-host might be a good choice for you.

Dream-host has a host of cool features, like, having a nearly unlimited supply of domain name extensions, offering free domain privacy, easy control over your domain’s settings, and as a plus they’re an environmentally friendly company.

On the other hand, they don’t offer a discount if you already have a domain name and you’re looking to transfer it over to them. They also have a very solid refund policy, but sadly it only transfers over to their shared hosting plans.

Dream-host costs $13.95 per year to register a .com domain name, with the pricing of other domain name extensions being much lower.

9. Name.com

Name.com is another long-time player in the domain registrar space. Beyond offering simple domain registration they also offer tools like hosting, email, and even a DIY website builder. So, if you’re looking for a great place to take care of all your website needs at once, then this could be a great choice.

One thing great about Name.com is that their pricing is very straightforward, you don’t have to keep an eye out for hidden fees. For starters, purchasing a .com or .net will only cost you $12.99, while a .org will only run you $10.99.

One cool feature is their built-in search interface, which will automatically enable you to see which domain extensions are currently available for your chosen domain. They do have add-on services that they will upsell you with, but luckily these aren’t as invasive as other sellers.

However, their support is not 24/7, so hopefully if an issue does arise with your registrar or hosting, it falls within their support window. They also only offer free WHOIS Privacy protection with the use of a coupon.

10. 1and1

1and1 is another domain name registrar that’s been around for an incredibly long time. They currently manage around 19 millions domains across the globe.

Plus, they offer a great deal for those who are looking to register their domain names and don’t have much of a budget. They have a first year registration plan and frequently run promos, so you can grab a domain for less than $1.00. Now, that’s a steal!

However, the $0.99 domain registration is only for the first year. After this initial period the yearly cost of a domain renewal will jump back up to $14.99.

As another bonus they don’t tack on any additional ICANN fees or private registration fees, so the prices you see are the same ones you’ll see during checkout.

Beyond being a domain name registrar they also offer web hosting, a website builder, eCommerce solutions, and even email hosting.

11. Network Solutions

Network Solutions is a very flexible domain registrar and hosting provider. They’re very flexible and can mix and match hosting and domain solutions to fit your needs, so if you have a unique circumstance, or require something very custom tailored, then they’re worth checking out.

They’re very affordable and allow you to register a domain name for $9.99, plus they will custom tailor any extras you might need. Their support is also available 24/7 and is extremely tech savvy, so they can easily solve your most pressing issues.

That being said, they only offer the ability to purchase and setup one domain, no matter what package you’re currently using. The interface is also pretty complex, and it’s a little difficult to figure out. However, their handy support team is there whenever you need them.

12. (Bonus) Flippa

Flippa is different from the rest of the registrars on this list in that they’re primarily a marketplace for buying and selling domain names and websites. However, they also have a ton of domains for sale, sometimes for less than a dollar.

However, this can be a great way to start your online journey. Especially if the domain you’re purchasing already has a strong back-link profile to give you a boost in the search engines. Once you purchase a domain from Flippa you’ll need to register the domain with a new registrar and choose a host as well. Depending upon the details of the sale and where the current domain is registered and hosted.

Choosing the right domain name registrar isn’t something that you’ll want to take lightly. And we hope the guide above will give you enough information to choose the best domain name registrar for your needs.