Where should you register / transfer your domain name?

Registering a domain name is an exciting start of a new project but you need to make sure to register your domain name with a trustworthy domain name provider. Similarly, if you recently changed your hosting provider, you might be wondering where you should transfer your domain name to so you don’t have to worry about losing it.

While there are a lot of places to choose to register or transfer your domain names, we have two preferred registrars we recommend. In this post, we’ll explain what to look for when it comes to domain name registrars and share our recommendations for where to register or transfer your domain name to.

What to look for in a domain name registrar?

As mentioned earlier, there are tons of domain name registrars where you can register or transfer your domain name. Choosing the right domain name registrar is not easy, but it’s not impossible either. There are a few things to look for when it comes to choosing the right domain name registrar for you:

Privacy protection included

Privacy protection will protect your personal information and make sure nobody can see your email address or your home address when looking up the WHOIS information for a domain name. Most reputable registrars will include privacy protection at no extra cost.

Reasonable rate

Make sure your domain name registrar offers reasonable rates, especially if you plan on buying domain names frequently.

Easy to use interface

Choose a domain name registrar that has an easy to use interface. Once you buy a domain name, you’ll have to point it to your hosting server and the last thing you want is to waste time with a confusing interface where you can’t find DNS settings, billing information or domain expiration date.

Delegate access to others

If you want your web designer, assistant or IT department to handle domain registrations for you, consider using a registrar that allows you to delegate access to others. This will make it easy for them to register a domain name for you without needing your account information.

Good support

Another thing to look for when it comes to domain name registrars is support. Choose a registrar that offers good support in case you run into any problems with your domain name or the settings for your domain.

Minimal upsells

Finally, opt for a registrar that has minimal upsells. This will help avoid unnecessary costs due to accidentally purchasing a service you didn’t want.

Our domain name registrar recommendations

Now that we’ve covered what you have to look for in a domain name registrar, here are our top domain name registrar recommendations.

Domains.google.com

Google Domains

Our first recommendation is domains.google.com. Google offers cheap domain name registrations that are cheaper than most other domain registrars. They also have an easy to use interface and offer a ton of domain name extensions. The checkout process is easy and straightforward.

Since Google is essentially the backbone of the Internet, it doesn’t take DNS as long to propagate. In addition to that, Google is not going anywhere so there’s no need to switch anytime soon. Another bonus is that if you want to use GSuite with your domain name, registering your domain with Google makes this task super simple.

Hover.com

Register or Transfer your domain name to Hover.com

Hover.com is our second recommended option for registering domain names. Hover.com has a ton of domain name extensions that go beyond generic domains. Since they are broken down into different categories, you can easily find an extension that you like in case .com is taken. They specialize in domain registrations so you won’t find other services like hosting. They do offer email services and simple add on options such as email forwards for a small yearly fee.

Overall, Hover.com offers great support, competitive pricing, and transparent pricing. Their interface is also user-friendly and easy to navigate. As far as the checkout process goes, it takes four steps to purchase a domain name so if you want a simple and straightforward domain buying experience, Hover.com is the right choice.

What about GoDaddy?

We are not a fan of GoDaddy for domain registration or web hosting. A few reasons include:

  • Confusing checkout process
  • Constant upsells that attempt to pressure you into buying services you won’t need
  • Clunky interface that’s hard to navigate
  • Email, chat and phone support are subpar

Can I leave my DNS / domain name at my old web host?

We don’t recommend leaving your DNS at your old web host. We’ve had instances where various hosts who were not hosting a website anymore, just randomly turn off or delete the DNS entries.

If that happens to you, your website could disappear from the Internet which means countless business opportunities and customers lost, not to mention the fact that your brand image would be damaged.

As such, if you switch your hosting companies, we highly recommend you transfer your domain name to one of the domain name registrars mentioned in this article.

Which one is right for me?

Choosing the right domain name registrar is not an easy decision. Each registrar has its own set of features that you should consider before making the final choice.

If you’re using G-Suite/Google Apps then Google Domains probably makes the most sense.

But, if you need a few additional features, like email forwarding (because you’re using other emails for company email), then Hover is the way to go.

What’s next?

Need help with your domain or website? We’re here to help. Contact us today for a free quote and we’ll help you find the best domain name registrar for your domain and business website.

We focus on beautiful web design that delivers results for your organization. Our specialty is creating customized WordPress websites.

About Us

Johnny Flash Productions

Johnny Flash Productions is a creative agency based outside of Washington D.C. that focuses on digital strategy, web design and development, graphic design and event production that helps businesses get better results from their marketing.