Web Hosting Tutorial - Registering A Domain Name on GoDaddy

1. Claim your domain name
   

Visit GoDaddy.com and type in the domain name you wish to claim within the ‘Start Your Domain Search…’, then click ‘Go!’.

Type in your domain

If the domain name is available, you will be greeted with this screen:

                                                         

                                                             

domain is available on godaddy

If you are happy with the domain name, click the ‘Add’ button next to the accompanying text.

   Before you click Add, make sure you:

•     Check for misspellings
•     Are happy with the domain name
•     Is a profitable domain name
•     Fits your niche for SEO or branding

You may also want to buy the .net and other domain extensions if you don’t want major competitors at a later point.

2. Log in or create an account

Now that you’ve started the process of buying a domain name, GoDaddy will require you to create an account – unless you already have one.

fill in your info

Account creation is quick and requires a few major fields to be completed:

•     First and Last Name
•     Address
•     Phone
•     Additional optional info

3. Choose your domain registration length and certification

For best practices, you should try to invest 2 years worth of registration.

Domain registration length

It’s highly debated but many say that the longer you register your domain, the greater search engines love your site. This is due in part that many spammers will only buy a 1 year registration because the know the site won’t stay up long; search engines supposedly give a nod toward those that show they are investing in their website.

    Insight: For the purpose of this example, I’m only going with a 1 year registration.

You may also want to certify your domain at this time. This simply verifies the domain is registered to you and gives you the ability to display a badge which says so.

    Insight: From my experience, unless you are registering an eCommerce website or major business website, certification isn’t really necessary – save your $2.99.

4. Privacy & Domain Protection

GoDaddy allows you to purchase a few additional upsells which protect your privacy and registration through their service.

GoDaddy Privacy

The standard protection will work on most websites but consider some of the additional benefits of upgrading these features:

•     WHOIS registration
•     Expiration protection – so you don’t get sniped by squatters
•     Protection from malicious or accidental transfers
•     Matching domain names – if you want all of your web property

    Insight: Keep in mind that many of these upgrades can be purchased at a later time – if you feel the need to pick these up, you always have the possibility in the future.

We’re not going to buy any additional privacy and domain protection upsells and move onto finishing up registration.

5. Activate Your Domain

GoDaddy provides a wide range of additional items when you buy your domain name:

GoDaddy upsells

•     Domain email – this would show up as yourname@yourdomain.com.
•     Web Hosting – it’s alright but there are better hosting solutions out there
•     Shopping cart, SEO, etc – these features aren’t really necessary as you can either learn these items or get them from dedicated 3rd parties

Go ahead and click ‘checkout’ to continue with you purchase.

    Note: When you click ‘checkout’ you do not purchase the domain just yet so don’t worry about finalizing anything.

6. Apply coupon codes

Here’s a great point to save some more money while picking up your domain at GoDaddy.

One website which provides coupon codes is RetailMeNot.com. On RetailMeNot, simply type in GoDaddy to find coupons people are sharing which can reduce your order by a percentage or dollar amount.

RetailMeNot

    Insight: At the time of this writing ‘cjc749fat‘ is a valid coupon code to bump your domain down to $7.67. I will try to keep this updated but if you ever need a current coupon code simply visit RetailMeNot.

7. Review your order, choose your payment type, agree to the terms and check out!

I personally am still a bit conservative with keeping my credit card information on various websites and use my PayPal to purchase any domain.

This also helps avoid any possible mix-up where you could possibly be re-billed automatically if you selected the option at any time.

godaddy coupon codes

I suggest you read over the terms of service by GoDaddy to make sure you agree with their policy – at least the first time you pick up a domain.

godaddy checkout

Afterward, continue with your checkout.

    Note: Depending on how you decide to pay, you will either be taken to a form to fill in your billing info, jump to paypal or the appropriate form for your payment method. For security, I’m not going to show this screen because, well, you know..

8. Confirm your order

If you’ve made it this far, congratulations on taking this HUGE step to setting up your profitable niche blog.

checking out

The first time you register a domain, it’s a bit scary but once you get the hang of it – you’re a pro!

Check your email for receipts of your transactions. Save these emails or print them out just in case you need them at a later point.

You’re Done!