How to buy a domain name in less than 4 minutes
In this guide, we will teach you two quick ways to buy a domain name in less than 4 minutes. You have the choice between these two options:
- Register a domain name for free when purchasing a web hosting plan for your website
- Buy only a domain name
Of course, we assume that you already know the domain name that you require, as well as the desired extension (.com or.ca or.org etc.) If the domain name with your desired extension is already taken, the process may take more than 4 minutes, since you will have to spend time to find another.
Finally, when it comes to deciding which of the two options (free domain name with a web hosting plan OR domain name only) to choose, it really depends on your intentions.
If you plan on creating a website on the domain name you want to buy, you’ll need a good web host, so you might as well jump on the opportunity of getting a good web hosting service that offers a free domain name.
If you have no intention of creating a website right now, and if you only need to have the domain name, it makes more sense to just pay for the domain (about $ 10 per year).
Register a domain name with a free web hosting plan
For this guide, we will use Hosting-Canada.ca, a web host with a great reputation, who offers services in in Canada and gives you a free domain name with its already affordable web hosting plans:
- Click the following link to visit Hosting-Canada — Hosting-Canada.ca Link;
- Once on Hosting-Canada’s website, click on GET STARTED NOW;
- The next page will ask you to Select Billing Cycle, where you must select your subscription. We recommend 36 months since it reduces the price per month of the service (the price displayed will be reduced by 50% before the final payment page if you use the links on this site btw!);
- On the next page, you must enter the domain name you want to register. Enter the domain name in the field after www. and choose the domain extension you want (. com, .ca, .org, .net, .info, .fr, etc.). This domain name will be added to your web hosting package for free;
- If the domain name with the chosen extension is already taken (that is to say it belongs to someone else), an error message will appear, asking you to select another domain name / extension;
- On the next two pages, you will be able to select Available Addons for your web hosting service. We recommend the ID Protection addon to protect your personal information;
- On the next page, insert your details in the Personal Information section;;
- In the Payment Method section, choose your payment method. You can choose between checks, bank transfers, Interac, Western Union or Paypal;
- Once finished, click on Continue. If you selected PayPal, you will be redirected to the payment page;
- You’re done! You will receive confirmation emails from Hosting-Canada, telling you how you can access your hosting account at Hosting-Canada to set up your new website on your new domain name!
How to buy a domain name only
To buy a domain name, we will use GoDaddy.com because their prices are low and Go Daddy has a great reputation for domain registration. In addition, we use a GoDaddy coupon code to save money:
- Click the following link to visit GoDaddy — GODADDY LINK;
- On GoDaddy’s website, enter your desired domain name (do not include www., just the domain name) in the white field at the center of the page, and select the extension you want for your domain name (.com, .ca, .org, .net, .info, .biz, .co, etc.);
- Click GO;
- If the domain name with the selected extension is not available (that is to say it is owned by someone else), an error message will appear asking you to select another domain name / extension;
- Click Continue to Registration or continue to add more domain names to buy at the same time;
- Click No Thanks when the pop-up window offering you other domain names appears (unless you want to buy more than one);
- On the next page, enter your information to create your GoDaddy account. Click Next;
- Select the period for which you want to register your domain name. Click Next;
- Select the record type (Standard, Business (business registration with privacy domain name) or Protected). We recommend Standard or Business if you do not want your personal information to be publicly available. Click Next;
- Choose a web hosting plan. If you do not want hosting with GoDaddy, do not select anything. Click Next;
- On the next page, check the information of your order (you can change the registration period length, remove items from your order etc.).
- On the bottom of the page, click Enter Promo Code or Enter Source Code. Insert the GoDaddy promo code cjc28c to get a 28% discount on your order;
- Click Continue to Checkout;
- Select your payment method, either credit card, gift card, check or PayPal. Enter the required payment information and click PLACE ORDER NOW;
- You’re done! Once your payment is processed, you will receive an email from GoDaddy confirming your order and explaining how to access your account to manage your domain name.
If you have any questions about this guide, or would like us to prepare a guide on a similar subject, contact us!