How to buy a domain name safely (and never lose it)
Registering a domain takes minutes, but a few early decisions determine whether it stays yours for good. Here's how to do it right from day one, plus the common slip-ups that end with lost domains.
1. Pick a name and check it's free
Go for something short, easy to say and hyphen-free. Check it with our availability tool, which queries the official registry, and make sure it isn't another company's trademark: registering someone else's brand can lead to a dispute you'll lose.
2. Choose the extension
A .com earns the most trust and works for local and international audiences. Your country's extension is a strong local signal. Many businesses register both and redirect one to the other.
3. Pick a registrar and pay
Compare the renewal price, not just the first-year deal, and check what's included:
- Free WHOIS privacy to hide your personal details.
- Easy DNS management and two-factor authentication.
- Clear transfer-out terms, so you can move later without friction.
4. Register it in your own name
The registrant must be you or your company, never your designer or agency. Use an email address you always check and that doesn't depend on the domain itself (a Gmail account, for instance): if the domain stops working, that's where recovery notices will arrive.
5. Don't lose it
Turn on auto-renew and, if you can, prepay several years. Keep the transfer lock on and store your account credentials safely. You can check the expiry date anytime with our WHOIS tool.