This post shows students the steps to create a website domain to create a website for themselves.
When you want to run your website online, there are things you will have to do to get that one. One of those is to register for your domain name.
Choosing a domain for your website is one of the most important decisions you must make. That’s because all the good domain names are taken and used by someone else.
So, coming up with a domain name that is available and easy to remember will be one of your many challenges running a website online.
Before trying to come up with a domain name that sounds good and easy to remember, use these bullets to help you:
- Easy to say and spell. Successful websites have easy-to-remember domain names. If you can come up with something easy to remember, short, and available, then register it.
- Use .com, .org, or .net. domain extension. If you’re creating an online business, you’ll probably want to use .com extension. You want people to be able to remember it; after all, .org and .net also are good alternatives.
For the sake of time, we’re going to be using example.com.
The example domain name is for testing purposes only and can’t be used or registered by anyone.
If you think you’ve created a perfect domain name, go to Google Domains to check if it’s available.
For this post, we will use Google Domains as our domain registrar. You’ll have to register a domain to make it your own. There are many domain registrars, but for time’s sake, let’s go with Google Domains.
Google Domains – Register Your Domain Name
On the Google Domain page, in the search box, please type in your domain name and click Get it button. If the domain is available, Google will allow you to register it.
Suppose a domain name is not available to register. In that case, Google will present you with a message that the domain is registered and provides you with optional domain extensions with the same name.
You may be able to use .net, .org, etc. instead.
Sometimes, you just have to keep trying until you come up with the right name available, and then you can register.
You can add the domain to the cart for purchase with the available domain.
Head to the shopping cart and begin purchasing the domain by completing the checkout form. Domain names registered will Google typically cost $12 per year.
If Google Domains will be your domain registrar, it makes sense to own a Gmail account. If you already have one, simply log in and complete the domain name payment.
After paying for the domain name, you’ll now own that domain name. Google is your domain registrar, and you can manage it from the Google Domains website.
Once you log in, you’ll see the domain name that you’ve registered. Click on the domain name to manage it.
You’ll find domain details on the domain overview page, including the expiration date, privacy protection status, and others.
That’s it for now. You have registered a domain that you can use online.
However, because your domain isn’t pointing to any server or host computer if you type it in your browser, it won’t show anything except that it’s hosted on Google Domains.
Until you point your domain to your server, it does nothing.
In our next post, we will register for a Google Cloud server and point our domain to our server IP address.
Until then, stay tuned.
Conclusion:
In summary, registering a domain name is a crucial step in establishing your online presence. Here are the key points to remember:
- Choose Wisely: Select a domain name that is easy to remember, say, and spell.
- Check Availability: Use Google Domains or other registrars to see if your preferred domain is available.
- Consider Extensions: Opt for widely recognized domain extensions such as .com, .org, or .net.
- Be Persistent: If your first choice is taken, keep brainstorming until you find an available option that fits your needs.
- Finalize Your Registration: Once you settle on a name, complete the registration process to make it yours.
Stay tuned for our next post, where we’ll guide you on setting up a Google Cloud server and pointing your newly registered domain to it!
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