How to buy a domain on the Internet (a step-by-step guide)
Updated on 12 November 2024.
If you want to be visible on the internet, you need your own website. And to launch a website, you need a domain. If this is your first time hearing the word, you’re in the right place. This beginner-friendly guide makes registration easy, and it walks you through how to buy a domain in just a few minutes (and what to keep in mind during the process).
What is a domain? A domain is (simply put) a unique web address where your website will live. For example, ours is webglobe.com. We’ve explained what a domain is, what it consists of, and how it differs from a URL in a separate article.
How to register a domain in 5 steps
Here’s what the domain registration process looks like:
- Choose your domain name
- Pick a domain registrar (ideally one that also offers web hosting – more on that below)
- Check availability using a domain lookup service (WHOIS)
- Fill all necessary details (for domain registration itself)
- Rent the domain for 1, 2, 3, 5 or 10 years
Sounds complicated? Don’t worry – it can all be done in one place and takes only a few minutes. Let’s go through the steps one by one.
1. Have a name in mind? Choose wisely
Finding a good domain name isn’t easy. But there are a few simple rules to guide you.
Make sure your domain name is short, simple and easy to pronounce. Also, think long-term: what are your plans for this domain and your business?
2. Where to register a domain (and why it matters)?
Before we explain how to register a domain, let’s cover the equally important question – where. Domains are registered through companies called domain registrars. These are providers that lease and manage domains.
However, don’t imagine that each registrar has a specific list of domains that are only available from them. The same domain can usually be purchased through any provider.
What differs is the price and range of services offered.
For example, the cost of a .com domain can range from $10–$15 per year (VAT excluded) depending on the provider. Prices for renewal are often higher than the first year.
The registrar list gives you a basic idea of which providers are safe. Webglobe has been in the TOP 5 for a long time.
But be cautious: the cheapest domain isn’t always the best option. Here’s what else to consider:
- Customer support (What if the server goes down? Is there a support number or just an impersonal chatbot?)
- Domain security (Automatic DNSSEC protection is a must)
- Ease of use (Is the administration panel intuitive and beginner-friendly?)
- Additional free tools (E.g. WebEditor, where you can create your website)
Take time to compare providers and check what services and features they include – it can make a big difference later.
Still deciding where to register your domain? A user-friendly control panel is important too. Unfortunately, you can usually access it only after purchase – that’s why we’ve shared a preview of ours.
3. How to check domain availability with one click
You can check whether a domain is available using a WHOIS lookup tool, which lets you see if a domain is already taken and by whom. For example, you can use ICANN’s WHOIS search.
But you don’t have to go through WHOIS manually – registrars usually do this for you during the registration process.
Just enter your desired domain name in the search bar, and they’ll show if it’s available. If not, they’ll suggest similar names or other domain extensions.
Didn’t get the domain you wanted? Don’t worry, maybe the current owner is open to selling it. We explain how to buy a domain that’s already taken in this article.
4. Now the most important part: registering the domain
Finally, we come to the main point: the actual domain registration. The process may differ slightly by registrar, but generally, you’ll always need to provide:
- Your billing details
- Phone number
- E-mail address
Your e‑mail is critical, as it grants access to your domain, so choose one you actively use.
If someone else is registering the domain on your behalf, make sure they enter your contact details. Otherwise, your domain might be registered under their name (like your IT guy).
All the legal issues that can arise when registering a domain are well summarised in this article.
What about NSSET and DNSSEC? Don’t panic – leave the default settings unless you know what you’re doing. You can always change them later.
Important: Registering a domain doesn’t mean you own it forever
We should probably clarify one important thing: throughout this article, we’ve been talking about buying a domain – but in reality, you’re not buying a domain, you’re only renting it.
You’re the owner of the domain only for as long as you pay for it. You can rent it for one year or even for 2, 3, 5 or 10 years. In that case, the rental price will be more favourable.
Domain registration has its own rules. These depend on the domain extension (.SK, .COM, .EU, etc.) and define what the domain name can look like, who can register it and for how long. They also set conditions for renewal, transfer and deletion.
Want to understand domains better? ICANN explains how domain registration works, including rules on .COM (and other gTLD) ownership, renewals, transfers and disputes.
Watch out for regular promotions. Webglobe runs one nearly all the time. Sometimes it’s free domain registration with web hosting, other times it’s a .SK or .EU domain at half price.
What if I forget to pay? Will I lose my domain?
You might be wondering what happens if you forget to pay next year. First, it’s good to know that every registrar offers several safeguards for such cases:
- When paying by card, you can usually set up automatic payments, so you don’t have to worry about it.
- If you pay by bank transfer, you’ll receive a 30-day reminder, followed by reminders every 10 days.
- At Webglobe, larger customers especially appreciate the option to top up credit, which is then used to cover the domain rental.
- In addition, after expiry, your domain enters a “grace period” of 20 to 60 days (depending on the extension), during which no one else can register it. (There may be an additional fee to renew it during this time.)
You can easily renew your domain in your admin panel. If all safeguards fail and you don’t pay (for example, because your reminders go to an e-mail address you no longer use), your domain will expire.
Once a domain expires, registration process starts from scratch again.
When is your domain ready to use?
Your domain is registered from the moment the registrar receives your payment. If you pay by card, the payment is immediate, so no one can snatch your domain away.
With bank transfer, there’s a delay of 1–2 working days. This doesn’t happen often, but there have been cases where someone else managed to register the domain during that time. If possible, pay by card.
How to buy a domain? .SK domains are managed by the central registry SK-NIC. The actual sale is handled by registrars such as Webglobe, Doména.sk and others.
Next step? Web hosting
A domain alone is useless until you fill it with content – your website. But to do that, you’ll need another service you may not have heard of yet: web hosting.
Web hosting is like a hard drive in someone else’s computer, where you have your own allocated space. This is where your website is “physically” stored – all your images, texts and other content.
Without web hosting, your domain is just an empty address – hosting brings it to life.
Why can’t you host your site on your own computer? Simply because your website would only be available to others when your computer is turned on.
Domain registration and web hosting in one
Most registrars will offer you web hosting along with domain registration. Getting both together is worth it for two reasons:
- Better price – some registrars even include a free domain with web hosting.
- Simpler management – everything is in one place, and you don’t have to remember two login credentials.
Get our award-winning web hosting. When you choose it, you can register your domain at the same time.
