How to Register a Domain Name in 2025
If you’re building a website in 2025, one of the first and most important steps is securing your domain name. Whether you’re launching a personal blog, an e-commerce store, or a startup brand, your domain is your digital identity. It’s what people will type, see, and remember.
Luckily, registering a domain name today is faster and easier than ever—but with so many options and providers, it helps to understand the process clearly before you jump in.
Why your domain name matters
Your domain is more than just a web address. It represents your brand’s personality, improves your search engine presence, and builds trust with visitors. A clean, relevant, and memorable domain name helps people take your site seriously—especially if you’re competing in a crowded market.
In 2025, domain extensions have expanded far beyond the traditional .com. From .blog to .ai to .shop, you now have dozens of choices to express your niche.
Where to register your domain
You can’t register a domain name directly with ICANN (the global domain authority). Instead, you’ll go through a domain registrar, a company authorized to sell domain names.
Popular registrars include:
- Namecheap – Great pricing and privacy protection
- GoDaddy – Widely known and offers additional services
- Google Domains (now operated under Squarespace)
- Porkbun – Affordable and transparent
- Cloudflare Registrar – Cost-price domains with no markup (great for developers)
When choosing a registrar, look for transparency in pricing, easy DNS management, free WHOIS privacy, and good support.
Steps to register your domain name
Here’s how you can register a domain name in 2025—step by step.
Search for availability
Start by entering your desired domain into the search bar on a registrar’s website. If it’s available, you’ll see the price and can proceed to checkout. If it’s taken, the registrar will suggest similar alternatives.
Tips:
- Keep your domain short and easy to spell
- Avoid hyphens or numbers
- Try to match your brand name exactly if possible
If the .com version is taken, consider using another extension that fits your niche, like .tech, .store, or .studio.
Choose your extension
While .com is still the most trusted, niche extensions are increasingly accepted in 2025. They can even help signal your site’s purpose (e.g., fashion.store, design.studio, startup.tech).
Just be mindful of how your domain sounds when spoken aloud. It should be easy to say and type.
Add privacy protection
When you register a domain, your contact info (name, address, email) is normally published in a public WHOIS database. Most registrars now offer free privacy protection to hide this info—make sure it’s included.
Create an account and check out
You’ll be asked to:
- Create a login
- Enter your contact information
- Choose how long to register the domain (usually 1–10 years)
- Decide if you want automatic renewal
Most people register their domain for at least 2–3 years to avoid losing it due to expiration.
Configure DNS settings
After purchase, you can set where your domain points. If you’re using a platform like WordPress, Shopify, or Wix, you’ll need to point your domain to their servers using DNS records.
Basic DNS settings include:
- A record – Points your domain to a server IP
- CNAME – Points subdomains (like www) to another address
- MX records – Handle email if you’re setting up custom email (e.g., [email protected])
If you’re not ready to connect the domain yet, you can leave it parked or display a temporary landing page.
Tips for domain success in 2025
- Register your name early: Good domains are still being snapped up quickly.
- Use keyword-rich names if SEO is a priority.
- Watch out for upsells: Avoid unnecessary add-ons like overpriced SSLs or email unless you need them.
- Secure similar domains: If your main domain is example.com, consider buying example.net or misspellings to protect your brand.
Registering a domain name is one of the easiest parts of launching a website—but it’s also one of the most strategic. Choose something that fits your brand, is easy to remember, and sets you up for long-term credibility.
Once your domain is locked in, you’re ready to move on to the fun part—building your site.
