How To Register a Domain Name for Your Website (2026)

A domain name is the web address customers use to find a store online, such as yourstorename.com. Domain names have two parts: the second-level domain, which is the unique name of the website, and the top-level domain (TLD), or extension, such as .com, .org, or .io. Store owners often choose to use their brand, store name, or other closely related terms as their second-level domain name. 

This guide covers how to choose a domain name, compare registrars, and register a domain through Shopify.

How to register a domain name in 7 steps

Follow these steps to register your domain name.

1. Choose a memorable domain name

Choose a domain name that reflects your brand and tells customers what you sell.

Use a search engine optimization (SEO) keyword research tool, such as Ahrefs or Semrush, to find keywords with high search volume in your industry.

Zero Waste Store cofounder JJ Follano used this approach to rebrand the business. “It actually got searched 15,000 times a month,” JJ said on an episode of the Shopify Masters podcast. “People were actively looking for that keyword and variations of that keyword.” 

Within the first year of the rebrand, the store went from a few hundred orders a month to over a million dollars in sales.

Best practices for choosing a domain name

Keep these in mind as you shortlist domain names:

• Keep it short. Aim for 15 characters or fewer. The longer it is, the less likely people will remember it. 
• Skip hyphens and numbers. Numbers or symbols can increase the risk of typos. One exception is if your store has an actual number in its name. 
• Prioritize a .com when it’s available. The .com TLD is a highly trusted extension and the most popular worldwide, according to Statista.
• Say the name out loud. This helps check pronunciation and spelling.
• Search for existing trademarks. Before finalizing a domain name, make sure it doesn’t infringe on any existing IP or material that could cause legal trouble. 
• Choose a name that scales. You want a name that still works even if your product line or market expands.

A keyword-rich domain name also supports domain SEO, since search engines weigh domain text when matching results to a query.

2. Check for trademarks and brand conflicts

Before you buy a domain, search to see whether another business already holds trademark rights to the name.

Registering a domain name doesn’t give you trademark rights. According to the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), domain names are registered through an accredited domain name registrar, not through the USPTO. A domain owner could later be required to surrender a domain if it infringes on someone else’s trademark rights.

Search the name in the USPTO trademark database before finalizing a domain. A conflict found early costs less to fix than a rebrand after launch.

This section is for general information only and isn’t legal advice. Consult a trademark attorney to evaluate your specific situation.

3. Check for domain availability

Once you’ve settled on a few domain name options, check their availability. Most web hosting services offer free domain name search tools that tap into databases called WHOIS or RDAP. A web host is where your domain lives after you make your site live. 

Before settling on a name, run through a quick availability checklist:

• Search the exact domain across registrars.
• Test common spelling variants.
• Check whether matching social handles are available.
• Say the name aloud to see how easy it is to understand or spell just from hearing it (also known as the radio test).

Domain names are universal. If a domain is unavailable from one provider, it’s unavailable from all of them. These tools often suggest similar available domains if your first choice is taken.

You might encounter messages about domain brokering. This means the domain isn’t available, but the registrar offers to negotiate with its current owner for you. This can help you secure your first-choice domain, but it comes with additional costs and potential delays. Even if the owner agrees to sell, the price will likely be much higher than registering an available domain.

If you’re working with limited funds, exploring variations of your desired domain name is generally more affordable than brokering. 

Here are a few options:

• Use a suffix. Add a word to the end of your name. Fur, a brand that sells skin care and pubic hair care products, pairs their brand name with the word “you” (furyou.com).
• Use a prefix. Start your domain with a verb that describes your product or service. Fashion brand Uprisers uses weareuprisers.com.
• Try a different domain name extension. While .com is the most common TLD, region-specific extensions (like .ca, .us, or .eu) and specialty extensions (like .shop or .store) are also options. NIL Store uses the .store extension (nil.store). Compare popular options like .com versus .net to see which best fits your brand.

Note: Domains with high-demand keywords (like “tech,” “store,” or “app”) or short, sought-after combinations may be classified as premium by domain registries, which can carry a higher annual fee.

A domain name services guide can help you decide which hosting provider to trust with your domain and site.

4. Choose a domain name registrar

A domain name registrar is a company that reserves and registers domain names on your behalf. When you purchase a domain name, the registrar adds it to the Domain Name System (DNS). The person or entity that holds the rights to a registered domain name is called the registrant, according to ICANN.

ICANN accredits hundreds of registrars worldwide. A well-known, established provider typically has more documentation available for managing a domain and troubleshooting connection issues.

Common sites for purchasing domains include: 

• Website-building platforms (like Shopify)
• Web-hosting services (like HostGator or Bluehost)
• Dedicated domain registrars (like GoDaddy or NameCheap)

Many companies offer both domain name registration and hosting services, so a store owner can manage both from one account. Registration and hosting don’t have to come from the same company, though. You can purchase a domain from one provider and choose a different web host. 

Domain names are paid for annually rather than as a one-time purchase. When budgeting for a domain, compare the initial price against the renewal price. Many domain providers offer discounted rates for the first year or two, especially when a domain is purchased along with other services.

5. Purchase and register a domain

Once you’ve chosen a registrar and decided on your domain name, you’re ready to make your purchase.

During registration, a registrant must provide identifying and contact information, according to ICANN. This includes:

• Full name
• Postal address
• Email address
• Phone number

Most registrars let customers choose a registration term between 1 and 10 years. A longer term doesn’t remove the need to renew. When the term ends, the domain still requires renewal to stay active.

If you’re building an online store with Shopify, purchasing a domain directly through Shopify lets you manage your domain settings, subdomains, and forwarding email addresses in the same place you manage your store. 

If you already own a domain through another provider, you can connect it to your Shopify store while keeping it registered elsewhere, or transfer it so Shopify becomes the registrar. 

Learn to navigate the Shopify admin with this free video course covering store setup, product listing, payments, and more. 

To register a domain with Shopify:

1. Log in to your Shopify admin and go to Settings > Domains.
2. Click “Buy new domain” and enter your desired domain name.
3. Click “Buy” next to the domain you want to register.
4. Add a payment method if you haven’t already.
5. Review your personal contact details, auto-renewal preferences, and the domain registration agreements.
6. Click “Buy domain” to complete your purchase.
7. Check your email for a verification link and click it to finalize your registration.

Once you’ve completed setting up your domain, you can edit your domain settings, set up subdomains, and create forwarding email addresses in the Settings > Domains section of your Shopify admin. It can take up to 48 hours for a new domain to become fully functional.

6. Review your domain name contract

Before finalizing your domain purchase, read the registrar’s terms and conditions. The domain name contract is a legally binding document that outlines:

• Domain ownership terms
• Renewal terms and associated fees
• Additional costs for services like domain restoration or privacy protection
• Conditions for transferring the domain to another provider
• Payment terms, including consequences for missed payments

7. Renew your domain name

When you purchase a domain, you’re securing it for a fixed period, one year in most cases. Some providers offer longer terms, like GoDaddy’s 10-year option for .com domains, but registration is never permanent.

To maintain ownership of your domain, renew it before your term expires. ICANN policy requires registrars to send two renewal reminders, one approximately a month before expiration and one approximately a week before. 

Most domain providers offer automatic renewal. If your payment information changes, update your settings with your domain provider so automatic renewal goes through without interruption. 

If you don’t renew your domain, it will no longer direct to your website and others will have the option to buy it. 

How to choose a domain name provider

Domain providers fall into three categories, mentioned above:

• Website-building platforms (like Shopify)
• Web-hosting services (like HostGator or Bluehost)
• Dedicated domain registrars (like GoDaddy or NameCheap)

Which type fits best depends on where you want to manage your domain, website, DNS records, email, and support, whether that’s all in one admin or split across separate providers.

Buying a domain through a website-building platform keeps domain and site management in a single admin panel. Buying through a dedicated registrar separates domain management and site hosting so switching hosting providers later doesn’t require moving the domain. However, separating the domain from the site host means managing DNS settings and support across separate accounts.

For ecommerce founders who want their domain and store managed in one place, purchasing a domain directly through Shopify connects domain purchase, DNS configuration, and email forwarding within the same admin used to manage the store.

When selecting a domain provider, consider the following factors:

• Ease of use
• Privacy protection
• Domain extension availability
• Additional services

Ease of use

Ease of management depends on how many tasks run through one provider: domain registration, DNS management, connecting or transferring a domain, setting up subdomains, and forwarding email addresses.

Purchasing a domain through your website-building platform keeps these tasks in one admin. Domain registration and DNS management run through the same account used to manage the site. Buying a domain through Shopify, for example, connects the domain, configures DNS records, and sets up subdomains and email forwarding within the Shopify admin.

Using a separate registrar and website builder splits these tasks across two accounts. Domain registration, transfers, and DNS records stay with the registrar, while the website builder manages the site itself, along with any subdomains and email forwarding rules tied to it. This means connecting the domain manually and updating settings in two places when something changes.

Confirm a website builder supports custom domain connections before purchasing a domain independently. 

Privacy protection

When you register a domain, your contact information becomes publicly available in the global ICANN registry. Domain privacy protection hides this information.

Shopify includes WHOIS privacy protection at no extra cost on eligible domain extensions. Other providers may charge an additional fee for the same protection.

Domain extension availability

Most domain providers offer .com domains. Nearly 44% of all websites worldwide use a .com domain, more than any other extension, according to Statista. Country-code extensions, such as .ca, .eu, and .au, are also common options.

China’s .cn and Germany’s .de led all country-code top-level domains by number of registered domains as of September 2025, according to Statista. If a region-specific or specialty extension like .shop or .store fits your brand, confirm your chosen provider offers it.

Additional services

Many domain registrars offer extra services, such as ecommerce hosting, website-building tools, and email hosting. Some providers offer lower domain prices when bundled with these other services. 

Compare the following domain providers by starting price, WHOIS privacy cost, and included features:

*IONOS applies free WHOIS privacy to individual registrants. As of March 2026, contact details for business and organizational accounts are publicly listed under the EU NIS2 Directive.

Note: Prices reflect introductory first-year offers for .com domains and change frequently. Renewal rates are higher than first-year prices. Confirm current pricing directly with each provider before making a decision.

What to do after registering your domain name

After registering a domain, complete these steps:

1. Understand domain, hosting, DNS, and email
2. Set up domain name system (DNS) settings
3. Create a website or landing page
4. Enable domain privacy protection
5. Set up a professional email address
6. Protect domain ownership and security
7. Troubleshoot any domain registration issues

1. Understand domain, hosting, DNS, and email

A domain name, web hosting, DNS records, and email hosting are separate but connected services.

• Domain name. The address customers type to reach a website, such as yourstorename.com. 
• Web hosting. The storage space that holds a website’s files and delivers them to a visitor’s browser. 
• DNS records. These connect a domain name to the correct web host and other services.
• Email hosting. This stores and delivers messages sent to a custom email address that uses the domain, such as hello@yourstorename.com. This email address is separate from a personal or free email account.

These services can come from one provider or several. A domain purchased through Shopify includes web hosting and DNS management in the same admin. 

Email hosting for full inboxes comes from a separate provider, such as Google Workspace or Microsoft 365; Shopify includes free email forwarding to an existing inbox.

2. Set up domain name system settings

When a user enters a URL in their browser, the browser sends a request to a global network of servers that locate the website using the domain name system (DNS). DNS is a global, decentralized system for naming websites. It allows computers, phones, and other internet-capable devices to find the webpage a user is looking for.

Setting up DNS manually can involve several technical steps. Shopify configures DNS automatically for domains purchased or connected through the Shopify admin.

3. Create a website or landing page

A domain needs a website or landing page attached to it. This is the content visitors see when they arrive.

For an ecommerce business, Shopify combines domain registration with a single website builder for buying a domain and building an online store. 

Beyond the domain itself, Shopify also allows store owners to:

• Choose a theme
• Get a free SSL certificate
• Display product details
• Process online payments
• Manage shipping and delivery
• View website analytics

For a blog or non-commerce site, options include WordPress, Wix, and Squarespace.

4. Enable domain privacy protection

Domain privacy protection hides your personal information from the public WHOIS database. This reduces exposure to spam and unsolicited contact tied to a publicly listed domain record.

How you approach domain privacy protection depends on your registrar. 

Some, including Shopify, include it at no extra cost on eligible domains. Others charge an additional fee for WHOIS domain protection and prompt you to add it during checkout.

5. Set up a professional email address

A custom domain email, such as info@yourstore.com, uses a business’s own domain instead of a personal or free email address.

Shopify-managed domains include free, unlimited email forwarding addresses that redirect messages to an existing email account, according to Shopify’s email forwarding documentation. Forwarding lets a domain receive messages at a custom address, but replies still send from the destination email account, not the custom domain.

To send and receive email directly from a custom domain, connect a third-party email hosting service. The Shopify admin supports direct integration with Zoho Mail and Google Workspace for Shopify-managed domains. Other email hosting services can be connected by adding custom DNS records. 

6. Protect domain ownership and security

Keep the registration contact details and payment method on a domain current. A registrar needs accurate contact information to reach the domain owner about renewal or security notices, and an outdated payment method can cause a renewal charge to fail.

Auto-renewal charges the saved payment method before the registration period ends, which reduces the risk of a domain expiring unintentionally. Auto-renewal works best when the payment method and contact details stay up to date.

Domain lock, also known as a registrar lock, prevents a domain from being transferred to another registrar without the owner taking action to remove it first.

To transfer a domain to a new registrar, the current registrar provides an AuthInfo code, also called an authorization code or Extensible Provisioning Protocol (EPP) code. This code identifies the domain holder and helps prevent unauthorized transfers. A registrar can deny a transfer request if the domain is in Lock status, within 60 days of its initial registration, or within 60 days of a previous transfer, according to ICANN.

7. Troubleshoot common domain registration issues

Common domain registration issues include:

• Payment isn’t going through. Double-check your billing details or try a different card. Some registrars require extra identity verification based on your location.
• Verification emails aren’t arriving. Check your spam folder and confirm the email address on your account is correct.
• The purchase is declined. This can happen if your bank flags the transaction. Contact your bank or retry with a different payment method.
• The domain won’t connect to your store. Confirm your DNS settings point to Shopify’s servers, then check your admin for the specific record that needs updating.
• The domain is suspended. If a contact information verification request goes unanswered, or if the registrant’s contact information is outdated, a domain may be suspended until the issue is fixed. Update your contact details and complete verification to resolve it.