So you're ready to build a website, one of the very first steps is purchasing a domain. However there's a lot of options on the market to choose from. Nowadays you can buy domain names from a variety of website providers, domain registrars and web hosting companies. While either service will get the job done…many people overpay or leave their personal information vulnerable to scammers. That's why we created a list of 4 common mistakes to avoid when purchasing domain names.
Buying everything from a website builder - This is like "putting all your eggs in one basket." Although getting a FREE domain from the same company you’re building a website is convenient… it may cost more in the long run. Website builder softwares typically allow customers to get started at no cost, however upgrades are required for special features like custom domain names which range from $10-$50mo!
Not checking Renewal price - While promotional offers can be attractive please read the fine print! Some domain registrars & website providers offer a FREE domain for the 1st year then charge you twice the price for renewing. Take a moment to compare rates and buy domains that renew at fair prices.
Choosing monthly subscriptions - Website providers are known to offer monthly subscriptions as a payment option. The downside of using this method is the possibility of missed payments. If you forget to pay their monthly fee or become unable to make payments, website providers can disable your account and unpublish your website. We recommend registering domain names on a yearly basis.
Purchasing Domains without privacy - Not understanding privacy protections (WHOIS guard) could result in having your personal contact details on display and potentially paying extra to hide it! The good news is that most website builder software include ‘Free domain privacy’ which means your personal details will be protected in the WHOIS directory. This will also prevent SPAM with a private email address for domain inquiries. So make sure your domain purchase includes privacy.
In conclusion, whether you’re building a sales page, blog or website you’ll need a domain name. Ultimately, the goal in building a website is to have more control over your online reputation. That’s why we recommend buying a custom domain name. If your not familiar with those terms, checkout our past blog post explaining “custom domains” in more detail. Moving forward, hopefully this blog post cleared up any confusion and helped you choose the the best option when buying a domain!