If you’re just getting started with your online adventures, then the first thing you probably want to do is set up your own website. There are several different parts to this that you’ll want to consider, but one of the main aspects of setting up your own website is of course, registering your own domain name.
But there are some many different domain registrars out there to choose from, it can be really difficult to know which one to opt for. The offer of a free domain name can sometimes be too tempting to turn down.
What benefits do they offer, and why should you choose one over another brand? Well, we’re going to look now at some of the best domain registrars you can use if you’re based in the UK.
Best Domain Registrar UK
| Product | Verdict | .com Price | Get More Info |
|---|---|---|---|
| Namecheap | Best Overall Domain Registrar | From £5.99 | Learn More |
| Namesilo | Best Cheap Registrar | From £6.99 | Learn More |
| Dynadot | Another Good Cheap Option | From £6.99 | Learn More |
| Domain.com | Best For TLD Range | From £7.99 | Learn More |
| GoDaddy | Renewals Too Expensive! | From £7.99 | Learn More |
Namecheap
If you’re looking for a cheap place to get started with domains, but you’d feel more comfortable sticking with a big brand, then I’d advise you to check out Namecheap. I have several different domains of all different TLDs (.com, .co.uk etc) registered with them and I have to say they’ve been pretty great.
You can register a domain with Namecheap for a pretty cheap price initially. However, the good part is that unlike other registrars, the price for renewing your domain stays pretty much the same throughout, and it’s always a reasonable price. This means that over time, you’re getting a good deal.
Another good thing about Namecheap is that their customer service is on of the best around. If you have any problems with your domain or the SSL certificate for it, their support can help you out pretty quickly and I’ve never had a problem with them. So overall, I’d have to recommend Namecheap as the first place to look when registering a new domain.
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NameSilo
Another good option for those looking for a fair priced domain registrar is definitely Namesilo. They offer some of the lowest renewals costs of any domain registrar currently out there, so they’re definitely worth taking into consideration.
NameSilo’s whole focus is trying to provide domain registry at the most affordable price. I mean, let’s face it – all of these companies are offering exactly the same product as each other, and there’s not much to differentiate them from each other.
But what can you do? Make sure you’re cheaper than the competition. And in terms of renewal prices, NameSilo are always there as one of the cheapest.
Another are where NameSilo excel is in their customer support. If you’re new to online marketing and registering a domain, then you might not be 100% sure what you’re doing.
But you can always get in touch with their staff who will help you along the way, as I’ve always found them to be super helpful. So overall, NameSilo is another domain registrar you will want to consider.
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Dynadot
Another cheap domain registrar that I’ve used a lot of the years is Dynadot. They have a really clean user interface, which makes it really easy to find the domain that you want.
They have a good variety of different TLDs to pick from, and one of the best things about them is that there isn’t a ton of up-selling on every screen. This means that you can simply buy what you need – a domain name – and then leave, without being hounded into buying a ton of extras with it.
The pricing across the site is very fair, and their renewals costs are much lower than most of the competitors, too.
However, although Dynadot are generally very cheap, across the board they’re not quite as cheap as either Namecheap or NameSilo. So whilst they offer good value amongst other things, they’re not going the very cheapest option out there.
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Domain.com
Another domain registrar that has a good reputation is Domain.com. Although they have actually been around since the year 2000, they have actually stepped up their marketing in recent years and they’ve become more and more well known in this industry.
They offer pretty good prices (not the very cheapest, but still cheap) and they have a great selection of different TLDs for you to choose from. They also offer a ton of other stuff related to domains too, like shared hosting and a website builder. However, I do recommend that you actually go elsewhere for these, as you can usually find a better deal online.
The only thing that lets down this domain registrar is that the support isn’t great. When we compare it to other companies like Dynadot and Namecheap, then there’s quite a big different between them in terms of the response times and quality of the support too.
So although this is a fairly cheap option with a wide variety of TLDs, it’s not as good as some of the others out there in my opinion.
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GoDaddy
I don’t want to come across too critical of GoDaddy, as they’re probably not the worst out there and they provide everything you need them too. Their website is probably one of the easiest to navigate, and they wouldn’t be at the top of the domain registrar industry if they didn’t do a lot right.
But, I just can’t look past their extortionate renewal rates and the annoying up-selling, which if you’re a beginner, you’re sure to fall foul to.
Whilst you might get a great discounted deal on registering a new domain with GoDaddy, they make their money in other ways. After a year, your initial price will look tiny in comparison to the renewal, which can cost £20 or more with all the added bells and whistles that GoDaddy add on.
Things like a basic SSL certificate costing £50 or £60 a year, which those new to domains will think is a must have – you can register a free one at Let’s Encrypt, you don’t need to bu it from GoDaddy! And other addons that are supposed to help with your “SEO” which don’t help at all. Either way, I’m not impressed with GoDaddy and if you’re new to domains, I’d avoid them and go for a cheaper option.
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Common Questions about Domain Registrars
Who is the cheapest domain registrar?
It’s really impossible to say who the very cheapest domain registrar is out there. Why? Because all different companies will have different prices based on each TLD (TLD means top level domain, which is the .com, .org or .co.uk at the end of your domain name). However if you’re looking for a .com or .co.uk domain, then I’d suggest that you start with Namecheap or Namesilo.
How can I buy a domain permanently?
Unfortunately, you can’t buy a domain permanently from anywhere – this isn’t how domain names work. You can rent whichever domain name that you prefer, but there are limitations to this – the longest period of time you can register a domain name for is 10 years. However, as long as you renew your domain in time, there’s no chance of you losing it.
What is the cheapest way to buy a domain name?
If you’re looking to get the cheapest domain name possible, then you might want to look at register a domain name with an alternative TLD. A .com domain name is typically going to be more expensive than other extension, but they do have their benefits (generally if a user sees a .com, they find it more trustworthy). But, you can look to other extensions to try and get a cheaper domain name if needs be.
What is a reasonable price for a domain name?
How much you pay for a domain name will vary greatly, but most .com’s and .co.uk’s will be between £5 and £10. However, some other domain extensions aren’t a bad idea either if you want o register them – for example, you could consider a .digital domain name if you’re offering digital services, or a .io name if you’re in the tech space.
Can you buy a domain name without the hosting?
Yes, and I’d advise you do just that! The majority of domain registrars actually aren’t the best hosting providers too. So, it’s worth looking for these things separately to get the best of each thing separately instead of just buying a package deal.
What to consider when buying a new domain name
Conclusion
These are just a few of the top domain registrars that you can get your domain name if you’re located in the UK (or anywhere else, for that matter). There isn’t a great deal between all of these brands, as they all are really providing us with the same thing. So, the best thing to do is often look at the cheapest out there – not just for the initial purchase, but also for renewal costs too.
Thanks for the advice i am new to domains and everything associated with it..
I am wanting to start being an affiliate and ideally would like to make a passive income from affiliate marketing so your domain article has really been useful if you have any more information and advice that you may feel would help please feel free to
Hey Joanne, no problem happy to help. I’ll be adding a lot more detail on the site over the coming weeks and months about affiliate marketing so keep your eyes peeled. Also, if you have any questions then feel free to reach out and ask! Thanks!