Now that you have gotten this far in creating your blog, you are ready to get to the next step, register your blog domain. Let’s talk about blog domain registration.
Until now, you’ve spent no money, and your blog has had no start-up cost other than your time. This step is where the real bloggers are separated from the dreamers.
We’ll talk about the costs associated with registering your blog domain. Still, there are some notable exceptions to how you can save money on your first year of domain registration.
Why Do I Have To Register My Blog Domain?
OK, some facepalming is happening right now, but let’s be honest. Many of us started new on the internet and had to ask basic questions.
Not an Internet guru, but let me explain how I understand this.
- Someone types in your blog domain name into the browser, or it’s automatically done by clicking on a link, and your browser asks, “where is this site?”
- Your computer has settings established when it connects to a network, and one of those settings is the dynamic name server or DNS. This is an IP address of a service that turns blog names into internet addresses.
- Once you get an internet address, this is the internet address of the web server associated with what was typed into your browser; the browser request is sent to the IP address.
- The web server sees the browser request, locates the requested information, and returns it to the browser.
This process was an overly simplified view of how a webpage is served to a browser.
Now Your Local DNS, Where Did It Get The Location Of The Web-server?
Dynamic Name Servers are everywhere.
In the Windows Operating System, you can type in your command windows “ipconfig /all” in your command window, and you will find the IP address of your local DNS service.
Name servers share information; when a website’s host information changes, that website information is shared by the world of name services.
But where does that initial information come from?
Your domain registrar.
Yes, your domain registrar is the source of information that domain name servers.
This is where you register your domain and all its associated information, owner name, host’s IP address location, domain contact information, etc.)
Now the basics are covered, let’s talk quickly and cover some initial blog domain registration questions you should be asking.
Do I Want To Self Host, Or Use A Free Blog Hosting Service?
There is free blog website hosting services and ones that will give you a free URL for your blog.
Sometimes it’s just a sub-domain(i.e., MyBlog . SomeBloggingService dot Com, etc.). Not very catching.
I’m told they will, or you can register a full blog domain name and point it to their service, but let’s stop here.
IMHO, do not go with a blog service. Please do your own blog site and self-host it, meaning run your blog like a stand-alone website that contains a blog.
Not bashing free blogging services, just that they are for the type of blogs we are not creating. I aim to create a blog like a small business, with 100% control and the ability to build my brand. So I will be self-hosting my blog.
Now that I covered my thought processes of not using a blogging service provider like Blogger.com let’s move forward with setting up this blog site.
I needed to register my blog domain.
My Experience With Blog Domain Registrations.
Over the last couple decades, I’ve registered a few blogs, also called ‘niche’ sites.
Old School Website/Blog Domain Registration:
Years ago, a few Domain Registers were mainstream and trust-able. With those few selections, I went with GoDaddy for all my domains. However, after several problems, I cannot recommend GoDaddy. Don’t even link from this post to them. :/
I was forced to go with a newer domain registrar, and for the time, I liked the service, 1and1.com, which is now called: www.ionos.com
I left over several domains from my IT years decades ago. I might still have one or two domains, but my most recent experiences are with other domain registrars.
My Recent Website Domain Registrar Experiences:
I went with a free domain registration with one of my hosting companies. Still, I will cover this later and not recommend it, so let’s talk about what I would do now.
Cloudflare – I like the sense of security with Cloudflare. They use 2FA hardware keys for protection, and you can notify the service when you believe your website is under attack, and they will help shield your site.
Also, Cloudflare’s fees are low. So when it comes to keeping your start-up costs down, a low blog domain registration fee helps.
NameCheap – as the name suggests, domain registration is relatively cheap. One thing that attacks people to NameCheap when registering their domain names is the whois privacy automatically included.
Whois privacy services act as proxies for domain contact information and relay communications to your kept private contact information. Whois’ contact information must be public, but with this whois proxy service, you can keep your data away from prying eyes or potential spammers.
So if you value your privacy and don’t want to pay extra for whois privacy, NameCheap is an excellent domain registration service.
Now if you have a blog domain name you want to register, Cloudflare and Namecheap are my go-to services now.
I use Namecheap for more personal domains to keep some privacy, like family photo sites. But for my business-related domains, I like Cloudflare.
How Do I Register My Blog’s Domain?
Go to the services and follow their helpful faqs and online instructions in setting up your domain name. It was easy for me, so that says a lot.
How Much Does It Cost To Get A Blog Domain?
Go to the service providers and shop and compare; prices often fluctuate by pennies or dollars through sales. Either way, the prices are less than $20 per year, which shouldn’t be cost-prohibitive.
What About Those Hosting Services Free Domain Register Offers?
Truthfully, I wouldn’t recommend them, and I have used them to save a couple of dollars and regret it.
First, not saying the offers were bad, but my reasoning could have been better.
How Do I Get A Free Domain For My Blog? Not Advised?
OK, quick story, and I will cover this more in the Web Hosting step, but I went with BlueHost, and they offered a free domain for one year with signing up for their website hosting service.
I tried to save a dollar, and I did, but I also got what I paid for. I prefer something other than BlueHost after you start getting traffic. And your goal is to get traffic to your blog ASAP.
I moved my websites away from BlueHost, long before my 3-year contract was up, and I still have ties with BlueHost since some of my Blog Domains are with them. In the future, I also plan to move my domain registrar services from BlueHost to Cloudflare.
So, if you have blog domain name registration questions, please comment below. I’ll tell you what I did.
Blog Start-up Costs Warning.
You completed the earlier steps before spending anything other than time. You are now getting into actual blog creation, and registering your blog’s domain name is the first expense in your journey.
I suggest only spending as much as you need to do. Register your blog domain for only a year. Sometimes a domain, a blog idea, or a personal drive doesn’t pan out, so stick to the typical one-year registration plan.
Back To Main Blogging Steps List: How Do I Create A Side Hustle Blog.
Next Step: Find A Blog Hosting Service.
| Previous Blogging Step | Next Blogging Step |
| Picking A Blog Domain Name | Finding A Blog Hosting Service |
Your Feedback About Blog Domain Registration And Services?
Have you ever regretted using a specific domain registering service?
I have a story, and hope you will share your own:
Over a decade ago, I registered with GoDaddy. I used them for all my services years ago, and then I realized I paid too much for a service from a company I did not like. I felt as if they didn’t like doing service with their customers. I will never again use ” GoBaddy ” since so many suitable domain registers exist today.
Again, if you have any questions or feedback, please comment below. I wish I had spent more time asking questions rather than quickly jumping into blogging; it might have saved a few headaches. 😀
What is your story?
 Myself with an interesting Bull Sculpture. Notice: No Lambo’s. :/ | Hi I’m Tom, A Blogger And A PIG Farmer. PIG Farmer as in I grow Passive Income Generators(PIG’s). I’ve been playing with stocks, mutual funds, and options for decades, as well as always working on my side hustle stacks. Unlike what you read online, I’ve yet to find a way to get rich quickly. Get Rich Quick isn’t happening for me. My journey has been long and continues. I hope to have so many PIGs I can stop working at my current job and volunteer as a medical worker overseas. Still waiting, but getting there. I still am a family man, and while on this Journey of Growing PIGs.  I wanted to share my adventures(ups and downs), hoping you will contribute with your feedback and comments. Fun Fact: In my spare time, I am a Band-Dad! |