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The best domain registrars: Top domain name sellers

Grow your business with 2021's best domain registrars and domain name sellers.
Written by Lena Borrelli, Contributing Writer
Bluehost | Best security features
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Bluehost
Best security features
View now View at Bluehost
Domain.com | Best website tools
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Domain.com
Best website tools
View now View at Domain.com
DreamHost | Best uptime guarantee
dreamhost-cover.jpg
DreamHost
Best uptime guarantee
View now View at DreamHost
GoDaddy | Best for expanded tools
godaddy-mobile-products-site.jpg
GoDaddy
Best for expanded tools
View now View at GoDaddy
Google Domains | Best for Google Tools
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Google Domains
Best for Google Tools
View now View at Google Domains
HostGator | Best for All-Inclusive
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HostGator
Best for All-Inclusive
View now View at HostGator
Hover | Best for Email Forwarding
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Hover
Best for Email Forwarding
View now View at Hover
NameCheap | Best for Plan Options
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NameCheap
Best for Plan Options
View now View at NameCheap
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One of the most important things in business is accessibility, and having an online presence goes a long way in keeping your business current and in front of the right customers. It is a quick and easy way to interact, sell, and grow, all while serving as an invaluable communications platform that helps bridge the gap between owner and consumer. However, to create and maintain an online presence for your business, you first need a domain registrar and name seller to help you present your company to the world. That is where these companies can help.

These are the best domain name sellers to register your business and grow your online presence in 2021.

At a glance

When you register your new domain with Bluehost, you get access to WordPress and Google tools with built-in SEO controls to easily manage and market your site. You also receive a free Google My Business profile that is integrated right into your Bluehost dashboard for easy accessibility and account management with visitor analytics. 

Bluehost also includes Google Ad Services with added security features that include free SSL and malware detection with automated security updates. To get you started, there are free customer consultations with 24/7 customer support if you stumble.

Pros

Cons

  • Free customer consultations

  • Complimentary security and marketing features

  • 24/7 customer support

  • Non-promotional pricing can be expensive

  • Restricted to U.S.-only servers

  • Lack complete backup features

Pricing

The cost of Bluehost is less than $3 per month with introductory pricing.

There are three Bluehost plans to choose from:

  • Shared Hosting: Normally $8.99/month, this plan is now on sale for $2.95 per month for a 36-month term with auto-renewal at the non-discounted rate of $8.99 monthly.
  • Managed WordPress: For greater functionality, look at the Managed WordPress plan for $9.95 per month for 36 months with auto-renewal at $19.95 monthly. 
  • Online Stores: To add e-commerce to your site, pricing begins at $12.95 per month for 36 months with auto-renewal at $24.95 per month.

The amount you pay to register your domain depends on the type of domain that you choose.

Bluehost domain pricing

Domain type

1st-year cost

.blog

$22.99

.co

$27.99

.com

$12.99

.me

$17.99

.net

$14.99

.org

$9.99

.tech

$4.99

.website

$1.99

If you are not sure which plan is right for you, BlueHost customer representatives can provide a free consultation to help you decide.

At a glance

When you register your domain with Domain.com, you receive multiple services that include hosting, website design, and management. There are additional in-house services available if you need help designing your website, and once your site is up and running, your account integrates with several popular website tools, like WordPress, WebsiteBuilder, and SiteLock. There are more than 300 top-level domains (TLDs) with available premium domains for something a little more special.

Domain.com offers three plans that all come with scalable bandwidth and free SSL by Let's Encrypt.

Plan name

Number of websites

Storage

Databases

FTP log-ins

Basic

1

Unlimited

10

5

Deluxe

Unlimited

Unlimited

25

25

Ultra

Unlimited

Unlimited

Unlimited

Unlimited

Pros

Cons

  • Affordable pricing for most domains

  • Professional website design available

  • Multiple website tools

  • No multi-year discounts for plans

  • Must pay upfront

  • Upsells can drive up price

Pricing

The amount you pay depends on the term you choose when you purchase your plan.

Domain.com Plans

Plan name

12-month  pricing

24-month pricing

36-month pricing

Basic

$3.75/mo

$45.00 total

$3.75/mo

$90.00 total

$3.75/mo

$135.00 total

Deluxe

$6.75/mo

$81 total

$6.75/mo

$162 total

$6.75/mo

$243 total

Ultra

$13.75/mo

$165 total

$13.75/mo

$330 total

$13.75/mo

$495 total

You also must purchase your domain, but first-year pricing is very competitive, depending on the domain that you choose.

  • .co: $27.99

  • .com: $8.99

  • .me: $2.99

  • .net: $12.99

  • .org: $8.99

  • .tech: $4.99

Domain.com offers 24/7 technical support if you need help signing up.

At a glance

DreamHost proudly shares that it has won the "Editor's Choice" award by PCMag for five years running. Its hosting options include website hosting or WordPress hosting, both priced the same, with free WordPress migrations, private registration, and WHOIS privacy with the option for free subdomains. 

Plans include expanded security features such as Multi-Factor Authentication, auto-enabled SFTP, and free secure hosting with Let's Encrypt. There is 24/7 customer support, and additional Cloud hosting is available for you at $0.0075 per hour. DreamHost is so confident in its services that there is a 100% uptime guarantee to give you even more peace of mind.

Pros

Cons

  • Top-rated by industry experts

  • 100% uptime guarantee

  • Free WordPress migration

  • Must commit to three years for discounts

  • Additional features can get pricey

  • Limited support options

Pricing

DreamHost offers three plans for your website hosting:

Plan type

Prepaid 3-year plan pricing

Monthly plan pricing

WordPress Basic

$2.59/mo 

$4.95/mo 

DreamPress

$16.95/mo

$12/mo

VPS for WordPress

$27.50/mo

$30/mo

If you choose the WordPress Basic or DreamPress plans, you receive free migration for your WordPress site

You may also purchase your domain using the following price structure:

  • .blog: $4.99
  • .club: $1.99
  • .com: $7.99
  • .design: $5.99
  • .io: $29.99
  • .me: $2.99
  • .online: $1.99
  • .org: $11.99
  • .shop: $2.99
  • .tech: $2.99
  • .xyz: $0.89

To help, there is 24/7 expert support available. 

At a glance

GoDaddy is one of the most well-known domain registrars with over 20 million customers and over 82 million domains. You can get started for free with no credit card required, but there are a total of six plans to choose from for hosting once your site is up and running. Plans include SSL security with dedicated server hosting, up to 100 subdomains, and optional WordPress and website design services. You can also add an online store with added email and Microsoft 365 access. 

GoDaddy is truly the multi-faceted domain registrar that has what it takes to grow with you as your website expands.

Pros

Cons

  • Free to begin

  • Email and Microsoft 365 integration

  • Multiple hosting plans

  • Single pricing for domains

  • Only single year discounts

  • No toll-free support number

Pricing

GoDaddy offers six plans for hosting with monthly pricing.

GoDaddy Plans

Plan 

Starting monthly price

Features

Web Hosting

$5.99/mo

Basic websites

WordPress Hosting

$6.99/mo

WordPress sites

WordPress Ecommerce Hosting

$15.99/mo

Online store

Business Hosting

$19.99/mo

High-traffic sites

VPs Hosting

$4.99/mo

Web designers & developers

Dedicated Server

$129.99/mo

Highly customized applications

Domains are available for purchase for one to ten years using the following price structure.

  • .buzz: $1.99/mo, $49.99 normally
  • .com: $11.99/mo, $18.99 normally
  • .email: $5.99/mo, $27.99 normally
  • .net: $14.99/mo, $19.99 normally
  • .site: $0.99/mo, $39.99 normally
  • .VIP: $6.99/mo, $21.99 normally
  • .ws: $4.99/mo, $34.99 normally
  • .xyz: $0.99/mo, $15.99 normally

GoDaddy offers 24/7 support if you need help at any point.

Integrating with your existing Google account, Google Domains offers you access to over 300 domain endings with extra tools to make designing your website a breeze once you purchase and register your new domain. However, once you purchase your domain, your options from web hosting will come from other providers, such as Wix, Weebly, Shopify, and Blogger. 

There are several tools that come included, such as email forwarding, extra privacy protection, and one-click DNSSEC with Google's 2-Step Verification. Plus, Google Workspace is built-in with up to 100 email aliases and convenient access to Google Ads.

Pros

Cons

  • Access to signature Google tools

  • Easy email forwarding

  • Straightforward pricing

  • Website hosting through third parties

  • Access to limited number of domains

  • Not available in all countries

Pricing

Domain pricing for Google Domains begins at $7 per year with over 100 domain extensions.

  • .app: $14/yr

  • .biz: $15/yr

  • .ca: $12/yr

  • .co: $30/yr

  • .com: $12/yr

  • .dev: $12/yr

  • .et: $12/yr

  • .me: $20/yr

  • .org: $12/yr

  • .us: $12/yr

There is 24/7 customer support to help you decide and guide the process.

HostGator hosts over two million websites with easy one-click install that is compatible with popular systems like WordPress, Magento, Drupal, and Joomla. SiteLock also integrates to give your site improved security with malware removal.

There are a few things that come with each HostGator plan, like one-click WordPress installs, unlimited storage, and free WordPress/cPanel website transfers. Plans feature unmetered bandwidth with free SSL certificate and 99.9% uptime for added reliability. With HostGator, you also get free site transfers and a free domain for your first year. If you want a head start on your advertising, there is $150 in Google Ads credit to get you started.

Pros

Cons

  • 99.9% uptime

  • Free site transfers

  • Free domain for first year

  • Pricey renewal costs

  • Standard single backup option

  • Complicated interface for newer users

Pricing

HostGator offers free first-year domain hosting.  From there, pricing depends on the domain that you choose. Introductory pricing lasts one year and then auto-renews at the prevailing rate. 

  • .com: $12.95/first yr, $17.99 thereafter

  • .info: $12.95/first yr, $17.99 thereafter

  • .me: $15.00/first yr, $19.95 thereafter

  • .net: $12.95/first yr, $17.99 thereafter

  • .online: $1.95/first yr, $15.00 thereafter

  • .org: $12.95/first yr, $17.99 thereafter

  • .site: $0.95/first yr, $15.00 thereafter

  • .tech: $3.95/first yr, $30.00 thereafter

  • .website: $0.95/first yr, $15.00 thereafter

There are five web hosting plans from HostGator.

HostGator Hosting Plans

Plan

Number of websites

Introductory price

Hatchling

1

$2.08/mo

Baby

Unlimited

$2.98/mo

Business

Unlimited

$4.48/mo

HostGator also offers 24/7/365 support so someone is always there to help.

Hover specializes in just two things: domain registration and professional email services. You will not find the multiple hosting plans of other companies. However, Hover offers the option to either purchase a new domain or transfer an existing one, with websites set to auto-renew with your choice of either an annual basis or within a set number of years. Your account benefits from added security features that include WHOIS privacy and two-factor authentication, plus there is the Hover Connect tool to easily transfer your existing site.

If you choose to add professional email to your domain, Hover is compatible with IMAP, POP, and Webmail. You automatically get to enjoy account bonuses like email forwarding, vacation autoresponder, and built-in anti-spam and virus tools.

Pros

Cons

  • Bulk domain pricing available

  • Professional email services available

  • Varying fee schedule for domain transfers

  • No website hosting

  • Some domains are pricey

  • No 24/7 customer support

Pricing

Hover offers straightforward domain pricing that includes your registration rate, renewal price, and transfer price for at-a-glance pricing, leaving no room for confusion.

Hover Domain Pricing

Domain

Registration rate

Renewal rate

Transfer rate

.ca

$15.99/yr

$15.99/yr

$15.99/yr

.co

$25.99/yr

$25.99/yr

$25.99/yr

.com

$12.99/yr

$14.99/yr

$12.99/yr

.info

$17.99/yr

$17.99/yr

$17.99/yr

.io

$49.99/yr

$49.99/yr

$79.99/yr

.me

$9.99/yr

$19.99/yr

$19.99/yr

.mobi

$19.99/yr

$19.99/yr

$19.99/yr

.net

$15.49/yr

$17.49/yr

$15.49/yr

.news

$26.99/yr

$26.99/yr

$26.99/yr

.online

$4.99/yr

$34.99/yr

$34.99/yr

.org

$13.99/yr

$15.99/yr

$13.99/yr

.tech

$7.99/yr

$49.99/yr

$49.99/yr

.us

$14.99/yr

$14.99/yr

$14.99/yr

This is the pricing providing for up to nine domains, with extra discounts that apply the more domains you buy.

There is also professional email that you can add to your site:

  • Small Mailbox: For $20 per year, you receive 10GB of storage.

  • Big Mailbox: For $29 annually, Hover offers 1TB of storage.

  • Email forwarding: $5 per year

If you need help, prepare to do some research online as Hover does not offer the 24/7 customer support standard with most companies.

namecheap.jpg
Photo by Micheile Henderson on Unsplash

NameCheap is the provider of over two million customers with over 1.5 million websites, and it has the services to help websites of all sizes. There are several hosting plans, so many that it categorizes them based on whether you are a new online user, small business, or large company. Either way, plans are extensive and include free hosting migration with a 30-day money-back guarantee for eligible customers.

There are lots of add-on services to better customize your plan, like cloud storage for some plans and private email plans that feature a free 60-day trial period.

Pros

Cons

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

  • Several dedicated hosting plans

  • Free first-year domain

  • Some renewal rates are expensive

  • Limitations on pricing discounts

  • No uptime guarantees

Pricing

NameCheap web hosting plans are designed around your needs, with the company categorizing its services based on the three types of customers it serves: individuals, small businesses, and large companies. For each one, there are several options.

NameCheap Hosting Plans

Plan

Promo cost

Renewal rate

Individuals

Stellar

$1.58/mo for first year

$2.88/mo

Stellar Plus

$2.68/mo for first year

$4.88/mo

EasyWP Starter for WordPress

$0/mo for first month

$3.88/mo

Starter

$0/mo for first 2 months

$11.88/yr

Small businesses

Stellar Business

$4.80/mo for first year

$8.88/mo

Nebula

$17.88/mo (unspecified term)

$19.99/mo

Easy WP Turbo for WordPress

$0/mo for first month

$7.88/mo

Pro

$0/mo for first 2 months

$33.88/yr

Large companies

EasyWP Supersonic for WordPress

$0/mo for first month

$11.88/mo

Quasar

$14.88/mo (unspecified term)

$19.88/mo

Xeon E3-1240 v3

$40.88/mo for first month

$52.88/mo

Domain pricing varies based on the domain that you choose for your new site. If you subscribe to the Shared Hosting plan, you could receive a free domain for your first year. Otherwise, pricing varies based on the following:

  • .ai: $8.88/yr first year, $12.98/yr thereafter

  • .co: $7.98/yr first year, $23.98/yr thereafter

  • .com: $8.88/yr first year, $12.98/yr thereafter

  • .io: $32.98/yr first year, $34.98/yr thereafter

  • .net: $10.98/yr first year, $14.98/yr thereafter

  • .org: $9.18/yr first year, $14.98/yr thereafter

If you need help, grab your computer, because there is 24/7 expert chat support.

How did we choose these products?

There are many companies to choose from when you need to register your new website, but it is critical that you choose a reliable and trustworthy company to entrust with your website. These are some of the critical factors we consider when choosing the best domain registrars and domain name sellers for 2021.

  • Domain names: There are some domain registrars that offer several hundred domain names while others barely offer one hundred, so it is important to consider what kind of variety you would like available for your new domain extension.

  • Pricing: The exact same domain extension can vary significantly in price from provider to provider, so shop your preferred domain extension to see which service offers the most competitive pricing for your first-year and renewal rates.

  • Security: Many domain registrars also offer security tools to help protect your new website, but some may carry a fee or depend on the web hosting plan that you choose.

  • Customer support: Even expert users can stumble when creating or migrating a website, but customer service options can vary significantly based on your provider. 

Which is the right one for you?

Choose this domain registrar...

If you...

Bluehost 

Want extra security freebies for your new website

Domain.com 

Need extra tools and help for your domain management

Dreamhost

Prioritize website up-time and reliability

GoDaddy

Have a growing business or large enterprises

Google Domains

Are an existing Google user

HostGator

Want all-inclusive service without the upsells

Hover

Just want to register your domain with email access

NameCheap

Want the room to grow and still have tons of options


What are domain extensions?

A domain extension is the text that comes after the name of your website, such as the popular .com extension. There are several hundreds of domain extensions available today but your choices will depend on the domain name seller that you choose.


How long does my domain last?

You cannot permanently purchase a domain name forever, but you can buy a domain name from a provider for a certain amount of time. Some plans will then auto-renew, while others may require you to renew the name yourself.

Why do I need a domain registrar and name seller?

Not only does a domain name seller provide the unique webname for your site, but it also can provide invaluable extras like security tools, professional email, and online ecommerce options to grow your business. 

Are there alternatives worth considering?

Some other options for domain registrars and name sellers in 2021 include these companies:

  • Gandi: Receive 50% off your first-year pricing with email and web hosting

  • Hostinger: Affordable web hosting solutions with excellent customer support

  • HostPapa: Domain registrar with small business solutions 

  • IONOS: Domain theft protection with domain registration

  • InMotion Hosting: 99.9% uptime with a money-back guarantee

  • Name.com: Bulk capability with the benefit of Google tools


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