8 best cheap domain registrars compared and reviewed | Webflow Blog

After choosing a name for your website, the next thing you have to do is choose a domain registrar.

The process of registering your domain isn’t difficult, but it’s essential. Your domain is the unique address for your site. Each domain name is actually a series of either four or six numbers, separated by periods or dots, such as 123.45.67.8.

The domain registrar handles the technical part of setting up your name. Of course, you’ll also need a web hosting service to store your files for others to retrieve on the internet. You’ll find many registrars available for buying cheap domains. However, it’s not just about the price. It’s also about the ease of its setup and the support you receive afterward.

Our guide will cover everything you need to know about making an informed choice for domain registration. We’ll discuss the things to look for when comparing different services. We’ve also provided detailed reviews of some of the best services available to make your decision easier.

The role of the domain registrar

Setting up a website begins with choosing a name and finding a domain registrar to register it with the overall domain database known as the registry. The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) manages the system. It ensures compliance with the guidelines and guarantees that every website has a unique domain name.

You can think of the domain registrar as the go-between who makes changes for you in the registry. These services are accredited by ICANN to fulfill this role. Each one offers a specific selection of domain name extensions, such as .com, .net, or .biz, and other top-level domains (TLDs). Of course, this list has grown in recent years to include a variety of industry-specific domains and domains for different countries.

Things to look for in a domain registrar

Not all domain registrars are the same. Pricing and the services they offer vary. Some work independently of hosting services while others work exclusively with web hosting companies for a more seamless user experience. You can find a domain registrar that offers what you need. That’s why you will want to consider these features when choosing a domain registrar:

• Cost
• Ease of use
• Privacy
• Associated services
• Support
• Gotchas

Cost

You’ll find that prices for domains vary widely, often dependent on the extension. Some extensions are more desirable than others, hence the higher cost. Even if they seem unfamiliar, it’s often wise to consider one of the lesser-known extensions. Since they’re newer, you may luck out and get a really cool domain name for branding purposes and SEO.

The prices for domain registration can range from $0.99–$20 per year on average. Demand plays a significant role in the price. Some so-called premium domains, such as .auto or .jobs, can run even higher. That’s another reason you should give careful thought to your choice of an extension with cheap domain names.

The other pricing factor is the availability of a domain name. Just because you have your heart set on a certain domain name doesn’t mean you’ll get it, especially if you’re trying to score a .com domain. Luckily, most domain registrars will offer other suggestions that may include the name you want with different domain extensions.

One thing you should check is the price difference between buying a new domain and its renewal cost. Often, you’ll find that the first year is reasonably priced and that subsequent ones are quite expensive in comparison. Look for what the cost includes, such as an SSL certificate, available hosting packages, and ecommerce offerings.

Pro tip: Stick with a name that is short and memorable instead of a long one for the best domain. Lengthy URLs are harder to remember, so you could miss out on potential visitors.

Ease of use

Consider how easy (or difficult) it will be to set up your new domain or transfer one if it exists elsewhere. This is one area where you want to pay attention to any hidden fees. Some domain registrars may charge extra for either of these services. The cost you see may only be the ICANN fees combined with the cost to register the domain name, not transfer it.

Usually, once you’re good to go, you won’t visit the domain registrar’s website until it’s time for renewal. Some sites are less user-friendly than others. However, you should be able to find what you need to do with a decent, well-written tutorial to walk you through the renewal process.

Privacy

When you first register a site, you’ll need to provide contact information for the administrator of the website. It’s an ICANN requirement to put the contact info in the Whois database, so don’t get put off by having to provide your name, address, and phone number. Every domain has this information available publicly. Unfortunately, it’s one thing that hackers exploit.

You’ll find that domain registrars offer varying degrees of Whois privacy with ICANN. Some provide this service for free as long as you keep your site with them. Others will provide it free the first year and charge for it afterward. Some treat it as an add-on service for a price.

Pro tip: You’ll also receive notifications to verify your info every year. Make sure that it is current, otherwise you may miss your renewal and domain name. That’s a pain if it happens. Trust us.

Associated services

Many domain registrars offer add-on services — for an additional fee, of course. Some are useful, such as domain privacy and WordPress hosting. Others are money grabs. We suggest that you review the charges carefully before you hit Pay Now. Some may include these add-ons by default. And check the renewal costs of any services that you decide to get before choosing a domain registration service.

Support

Tech support is a big deal if you have issues with a domain name. We appreciate an extensive knowledge base, but it’s also essential to have a means to contact a live person. We suggest checking out the options for getting help, whether it’s email, phone, or chat. After all, customer support is paramount, whether you’re trying to change your nameservers or configure your DNS.

Pro tip: Don’t forget to check the support hours. While many domain registrars provide 24/7 help, others may have set times that can leave you hanging if you need help on a weekend.

Gotchas

Hidden fees are the biggest source of complaints about domain registrars, especially the cheapest domain offerings. That’s why we suggest taking your time through the checkout process. Another annoying gotcha is the auto-renewal for your domain name registration. Be sure to check if it’s turned on by default. Also, find out if the registrar reminds you before they run your credit card.

We’ve seen some services that kindly let you know 30 days, 15 days, and just before your domain expires, which we appreciate in domain name registrars.