Who?

There are almost as many domain registrars as there are domains. Picking one can be tricky.

If you want to get your domain through your host, that’s fine. I advise doing it separately, though, for the reasons I already explained.

So who do you pick?

There are a few that usually come up when you ask for advice, and I’ve listed the most common below. Being on this list can’t be a guarantee of perfect support, any more than absence from the list meaning they’re not legit. These are some I either have personal experience of, or recommendations from people I trust.

NameCheap.com My personal recommendation. I’ve used them for years, their prices are fair, and they’ve never given me any trouble.

Domain.com I’ve used them in the past, they tend to do well in customer surveys.

GoDaddy.com My first website had a domain from them, but they have a poor reputation. Anecdotally I’ve heard about poor customer service, domains become more expensive after you search for them, and they can even auction off domains sometimes.

Whoever you go with, ensure they’re offering ‘Domain Privacy’ - most do, at no extra cost. It means that your email and home address don’t get shared with the world when you register.