How To Buy a Domain Name Step by Step (2026)

Buying a domain name gives consumers a way to easily access your brand’s online store or website. Typing in an address like yourbrand.com into an internet browser can send them directly to your online space.

You can register the right to use a domain name for a set period of time, and you can renew the registration to keep using that name. This is different from web hosting, which is a separate service that stores your website’s files.

A domain gives your business an address online, but registering one wasn’t always so simple. In 1995, the National Science Foundation authorized Network Solutions to charge for domain registration. It initially cost $50 per year, with a two-year registration costing $100. Today, registering a domain is a simple first step to getting a business online.

This guide explains how to buy a domain name, the components of a domain, and how to choose a domain name for your business.

What is a web domain?

A web domain is a typable name, such as Shopify.com, that people use to reach a website. Every website lives on one or more servers with IP addresses. These addresses identify where computers send requests for the site’s content.

When you enter a domain name in your browser, the Domain Name System (DNS) turns it into an IP address. Your browser uses that address to contact the server and load the website.

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) is a global nonprofit organization that coordinates the internet’s domain name and IP address systems. It also accredits domain registrars and coordinates policy development.

Components of a domain

A domain has two main parts: the second-level domain and the top-level domain.

A subdomain is an optional prefix to a domain that signals you’re browsing a distinct section of a website. On help.shopify.com, for example, “help” refers to the self-service Help Center of Shopify’s website.

TLDs, or domain extensions

The top-level domain (TLD), also known as the domain extension, appears after the final period in a domain name. Examples are .com, .org, and .ca. Some extensions are open to anyone, others have eligibility rules based on location or organization type.

Generic top-level domain

Generic top-level domains (gTLDs) include extensions such as .com, .org, and .net. These three extensions are open to individuals and organizations:

• .com: Short for “commercial,” .com is the most widely registered domain extension. It had 166.6 million registrations as of June 30, 2026, according to the Domain Name Industry Brief.
• .org: Short for “organization,” .org is conventionally associated with nonprofits, charities, and community groups. The Public Interest Registry manages the extension and confirms that anyone can register a .org domain, including a for-profit business.
• .net: Short for “network,” .net has long been associated with networking and technology businesses, though registration is open to anyone. It had 12.5 million registrations as of June 30, 2026.

Sponsored top-level domains

Sponsored top-level domains serve specific communities. Their governing organizations set rules for who can register them:

• .gov: Available to verified US government organizations at federal, state, tribal, and local levels. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency manages the extension.
• .edu: Managed by Educause. New registrations are limited to US postsecondary institutions with recognized institutional accreditation.
• .post: Sponsored by the Universal Postal Union for the postal and logistics community. Registrants include legitimate postal and logistics services.

Country code top-level domains

Country code top-level domains (ccTLDs) point to countries or territories. Registration rules vary by extension:

• .us: The United States’ extension. Registrants must meet US connection requirements, such as citizenship, residency, or an established business presence.
• .ca: Canada’s extension, managed by the Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA). Registrants must meet Canadian presence requirements, with eligibility categories for individuals and organizations.
• .tv: Tuvalu’s extension. Anyone can register a .tv domain. Registrants do not need to live or operate in Tuvalu.

Second-level domains

The second-level domain is the name immediately to the left of the TLD. In Shopify.com, “Shopify” is the second-level domain. Together, “Shopify” and “.com” form the domain name.

This area is where your business or brand name appears. A short name with familiar spelling is easier for customers to remember and type. Long or complicated names, particularly those unrelated to your business, make it harder for visitors to find their way back.

Subdomains

A subdomain adds a label before your registered domain to organize a section of your website or provide a separate service. For example, workspace.google.com directs visitors to Google Workspace.

You can configure a subdomain to use the same hosting service as your main website or a different one. Some uses are:

• support.businessname.com: A customer support site with troubleshooting guides and contact options.
• blog.businessname.com: A collection of articles published by the business.

Subdomains are optional and don’t require separate domain registration.

How to buy a domain

To buy a domain and connect it to your website, follow these seven steps.

1. Choose a name that fits your business
2. Pick your extension
3. Check availability on a domain registrar
4. Find an alternative or negotiate a purchase if the name is taken
5. Purchase your domain
6. Verify your email
7. Create your website using your domain name

1. Choose a name that fits your business

A memorable domain name is easy to spell, pronounce, and associate with your business. Your company name is a starting point. If it’s long or difficult to type, a shorter version can make the address easier for customers to remember.

As you choose a domain name, say each candidate aloud and ask someone else to spell it. A name they mistype in that test could indicate other consumers might have trouble spelling it as well.

Shopify’s business name generator can help you develop a brand name. The domain name generator also suggests web addresses and checks their availability. Before committing, search for similar business names and trademarks in the markets where you plan to operate.

The USPTO’s trademark database is one resource for US searches, but a domain’s availability doesn’t establish your legal right to use the name. There were 6,282 domain disputes filed to the UN’s World Intellectual Property Organization in 2025.

2. Pick your extension

The .com extension is widely used for commercial websites. An industry-specific extension, such as .yoga, can describe what your business offers. A country code extension can establish the market you serve.

Check the extension’s eligibility rules before registering. Some country-code domains have residency or business-presence requirements. Others, such as .tv, accept registrations from people and businesses worldwide.

3. Check availability on a domain registrar

Enter your preferred name into a domain provider’s search tool to check whether it’s available.

You can register through a registrar or reseller. An ICANN-accredited registrar has agreements with ICANN and registry operators to register generic top-level domains. A reseller sells registrations through a registrar. Either route can work, but confirm which company provides customer support and manages renewals.

Shopify lets you buy a domain and manage its settings from your store admin. Compare the best domain registrars by renewal price, privacy fees, support hours, and transfer policies before choosing a provider.

4. Find an alternative or negotiate a purchase

If someone has already registered your preferred domain, you have several options:

• Add a short word. A brand called Nova Walk could check whether shopnovawalk.com is available. Keep the addition easy to say and relevant to the business.
• Try another extension. Search for the same name with an extension that suits your business and meets your eligibility needs. Check for trademark conflicts before registering a variation.
• Contact the current owner. If there’s no sales listing, find out who owns the domain through its website or registration records. ICANN’s lookup tool can identify the registrar, though the owner’s personal details are often hidden. The registrar can provide a contact form or forwarding method.

Before buying an existing name, check its domain history for earlier websites and signs of spam or other misuse.

For a private purchase, confirm that the seller controls the domain and put the price, fees, and transfer terms in writing. An established escrow service can hold payment during the transfer process. Verify that the domain is in your account and under your control before accepting delivery.

Ask the registrar about transfer eligibility before paying. A 60-day transfer lock can apply after registration, a previous registrar transfer, or a change of registrant. A transfer between accounts at the same registrar follows a different process.

5. Purchase your domain

Review the registration term and the amount due today. An introductory discount can apply only to the first term, so compare domain name prices for the initial registration and renewal before paying. Premium domains also warrant a separate renewal-price check.

Domain privacy, often called WHOIS privacy, hides personal contact information from public registration records. Check whether it’s included, costs extra, or is unavailable for your extension.

To buy a domain through Shopify, open Settings > Domains and select Buy new domain. Search for your name, select an available option, and review the price, contact details, privacy coverage, and automatic renewal setting before confirming payment.

6. Verify your email

Domain registration involves verifying your contact information. For new registrations, ICANN’s rules generally allow 15 days for this verification. A registrar can suspend a registration if it cannot verify the details.

After a Shopify domain purchase, follow the link in the verification email. Failing to verify within 15 days can lead to suspension.

If the message doesn’t arrive, check your spam folder and confirm that you entered the correct email address. Use an existing inbox you can access, because an address on your newly registered domain won’t receive messages until email service is configured.

7. Create your website using your domain name

Some platforms, such as Shopify, provide a website builder and web hosting as part of your subscription. A domain purchased through Shopify is automatically configured for your store. You can also connect a domain purchased elsewhere.

For a self-hosted website, you arrange hosting separately and install or build your website there. Your hosting provider supplies the DNS settings needed to direct the domain to its servers.

Once the domain points to your website, open the address over HTTPS to check its SSL certificate, then test key pages before sharing it with customers.

How long do you own a domain name?

You register a domain for a fixed term, typically 1 to 10 years. Registration gives you the right to use the name during that period. You can keep renewing it, provided you pay the fees and comply with the registration terms. There’s no permanent purchase that eliminates renewals.

Domains bought through Shopify are registered for one year and can be renewed annually. The domain renewal charge is separate from your Shopify subscription. Other providers offer different registration terms, so check both the expiration date and renewal schedule in your account.

Automatic renewals can charge your saved payment method before the registration ends. For Shopify-managed domains, the scheduled renewal date is 14 days before expiration. An expired card or failed payment can interrupt that process. Keep your billing details and contact email current, and check that each renewal succeeds.

If the registration lapses, your website and domain-based email can stop working. The provider’s recovery process depends on the extension and registration agreement. Some domains enter a grace period during which you can renew them. A later redemption period may require an additional restoration fee.

Shopify offers a 40-day grace period for most domains, but some extensions have shorter windows or enter redemption immediately. Check your domain’s status in Settings > Domains as soon as you discover an expired registration.

If you miss the available recovery windows, you can lose the name. Depending on the provider’s terms, an expired domain can be auctioned or eventually released for someone else to register. Paying for your website or hosting does not automatically renew your domain unless that service explicitly includes domain renewal.