How to register a domain

Your domain is your address on the web, and it is the one part of your online presence you keep wherever you host. Registering one takes a couple of minutes. Choosing a good one is worth a little more thought, so this guide covers both.

What is a domain name?

A domain is the human-friendly name, like yourbusiness.com, that points to the servers behind your website and email. It has two parts: the name you choose and the extension after the dot, such as .com or .co.uk. You do not buy a domain outright. You register it for a set period, usually a year at a time, and renew it to keep it.

How to choose a good domain name

• Keep it short and easy to say out loud. If you have to spell it out every time, it is too complicated.
• Avoid hyphens and numbers where you can, as they are easy to forget or mistype.
• Match your brand or project name, so people can guess it.
• Check it is not someone else's trademark, and that the matching social media handles are free if they matter to you.
• Say it out loud and write it in lowercase to spot any unfortunate hidden words.

What if the name I want is taken?

• Try another extension. If yourname.com is gone, yourname.co.uk, yourname.gg or yourname.dev may be free.
• Add a short, relevant word, such as your town, get, hq, shop or play.
• Visit the domain to see if it is actually being used. Plenty of taken names are parked, but buying one from its owner can be expensive, so a variation is often the better choice.
• Avoid names that are very close to a well-known brand. Besides confusing visitors, it can lead to a trademark dispute.

Which domain extension should I choose?

We offer 25+ extensions. A few rules of thumb:

• .com: the classic, recognised everywhere. A safe choice for any audience, especially in the US.
• .co.uk and .uk: instantly signal a UK business or organisation, and are trusted by UK visitors.
• .us: for a clearly American presence.
• .net and .org: long-established alternatives. .org is popular with clubs, charities and communities.
• .gg: loved by gaming communities and esports teams.
• .dev: for developers and software projects.
• Newer extensions such as .xyz, .live, .team or .city: fun and often easier to get the name you want.

If your ideal name is available on more than one extension, and especially if you are a business, consider registering the main ones so nobody else can take them. You can forward the extras to your main domain.

Check the renewal price

Some extensions have a cheaper first-year offer, with a higher price from the second year. Our domain pricing table shows the register, transfer and renewal price for every extension side by side, so you know what you will pay in year two before you buy.

How to register your domain

1. 1Use the search on our domains page to check what is available. If your first choice is taken, try another extension or a small variation.
2. 2Pick an available extension and add it to your basket.
3. 3Add hosting or email at the same time if you need them, or add them later.
4. 4Check out, making sure your contact details are accurate.
5. 5Look out for a verification email about your contact details and click the link in it. Some registries require this, and an unverified domain can be suspended.

What comes with your domain

• Free WHOIS privacy on every eligible domain, keeping your personal details out of public records. A few extensions do not allow privacy under their rules.
• Easy DNS management, to point your domain anywhere.
• Free email forwarding, so [email protected] can land in the inbox you already use.
• Auto-renew, so a missed payment never costs you your domain.
• Registrar lock, which stops anyone moving your domain away without you.
• One dashboard for your domains, hosting and email.

After you register: pointing it at your hosting

Registered with us and hosting with us? We link them for you. Using it elsewhere? Just update the nameservers or DNS records, and we will help if you are not sure. Our guide on pointing your domain at your hosting explains both options.

Getting email on your domain

Free email forwarding is included with your domain. If you want real mailboxes to send from, our web hosting plans include email accounts, or you can add our email hosting to any domain, whether it is registered with us or not.

Renewals and expiry

Keep auto-renew switched on and your payment details up to date. We will remind you well before anything is due. If a domain does expire, your website and email stop working, and after a grace period it can be released for anyone to register. Many extensions let you register for several years at a time if you would rather not think about it.

Keeping your domain safe

• Use a strong, unique password for your client area, as whoever controls the account controls the domain.
• Keep the email address on your account up to date. Renewal reminders and transfer approvals are sent there.
• Leave registrar lock switched on unless you are transferring the domain away.
• Register the domain in the name of the person or business that should own it, not a web designer or a friend.

Quick questions

• How long before my domain works? Registration is usually quick, then DNS changes can take up to 24 to 48 hours to reach everyone.
• Can I move my domain later? Yes. Domains are portable, and you can transfer them between registrars.
• Can I use my domain with hosting elsewhere? Absolutely, point the DNS anywhere you like.