Updated February 2026

Your Own Domain Name – Your online identity

There are many benefits of purchasing a custom web address and doing a domain name search for your desired name instead of using someone else’s free one, such as:

It makes your business more recognisable in a professional online presence with a memorable domain.
Branding is possible when you have your domain name.
It gives you control over your online presence or online identity.
It increases search engine optimisation (SEO).
The desired domain name makes you stand out in the market.
It enhances search engine ranking for businesses doing online business.
It increases the professional reliability of your online business and business name.

A domain name gives your business a unique identity online, helping to establish brand recognition and credibility.

To build a website, you need to buy a perfect domain name. Domain names serve as web addresses, making it easier for customers to find your site. Registering a UK domain name can be daunting for newcomers, but our helpful guide walks you through the process.

Pros and Cons of Exact Phrase Match Domain Names: The Surrey Example

When choosing a domain name for your Surrey-based business, you might consider using an Exact Phrase Match Domain (EPMD), such as “surreyplumbingservices.co.uk.” This domain type includes the exact keywords you want to target, which can have advantages and disadvantages.

Pros

Improved Search Engine Visibility: Using phrases like “Surrey plumbing services” in your domain can help your website rank higher in search engine results for those specific terms, potentially increasing traffic from local customers.
Clear Relevance: An EPMD immediately communicates your business’s offerings and location, making it easier for visitors to understand your services.
Brand Recognition: An exact phrase domain can build trust and credibility for local customers searching for services in Surrey by showing a strong local connection.

Cons

Limited Branding Flexibility: Exact phrase domains can be restrictive if you expand your services beyond Surrey or diversify your offerings.
Perceived as Less Unique: Some users may view EPMDs as generic or less memorable than creative or branded domain names.
Potential SEO Risks: Over-reliance on exact-match domains can sometimes be flagged as spam by search engines if not supported by quality content and SEO practices.

While an exact-phrase-match domain like “surreyplumbingservices.co.uk” can boost local SEO and clarity, it’s important to weigh these benefits against potential limitations in branding and flexibility. Choose a domain name that best aligns with your long-term business goals and online presence.

Do web hosts give you the option to buy your domain name?

Domain names and web hosting are different. A domain name serves as a website’s address, while web hosting is the home of that address.

Buying a domain name from a web host is a direct approach. Not all web hosting companies offer the option of purchasing a domain name. GoDaddy and Bluehost offer website hosting with a “free domain name registration.”

However, these offers are usually free for some time (usually for the first year), and after that, the buyer has to pay a yearly fee to keep the custom domain name in his/her name.

If someone already owns a chosen or existing domain name, it can be bought from that owner if they are willing to sell. Many registrars also make it easy to transfer existing domains, providing support and handling renewals when you purchase a domain from another owner.

Benefits of Domain Name Registration

Registering a domain name is a crucial step for any business or individual looking to establish a strong online presence. A unique domain name not only sets your website apart from competitors but also makes it easier for customers to find and remember your brand. With domain name registration, you gain the ability to create a professional and memorable web address that reflects your business identity.

Having your own domain name allows you to set up branded email addresses, which can significantly enhance your business’s credibility and professionalism in the eyes of potential clients. This is especially important for UK businesses aiming to build trust and authority in their market.

Another key benefit of domain name registration is the opportunity to secure multiple extensions, such as .uk, .com, and .net, under your brand. By registering several domain extensions, you can protect your brand from competitors or copycats who might try to register similar domain names. This proactive approach helps safeguard your unique domain and ensures that your customers always find the right website when searching for your business.

Additionally, a registered domain name can improve your website’s search engine optimisation (SEO). Search engines tend to favour established, branded domains, which can lead to higher rankings and increased visibility in search results. Ultimately, domain name registration is an investment in your brand’s online identity, helping you stand out, attract more visitors, and support your long-term business growth.

How much does it cost to register a domain name?

A brand-new domain name typically costs £8-£30 per year (e.g., for .org). There are no defined prices for registering a domain name.

The price variances mainly depend on the type of domain and the registrar from which you purchase your custom domain name. Many registrars offer a huge selection of domain extensions, including traditional, location-based, and innovative options, giving you plenty of choices for your business needs.

It’s good to compare registrars’ offerings to select the one that best suits your needs.

Some newer extensions, like “.app,” can be costly or above the normal range due to high demand or popularity in the market. The following are the factors that could increase the price of the custom domain name:

Choosing a highly demanded extension like “.com or .org” (popular tlds) over a standard extension like “.me”
Selecting a private domain seller over authorised registrars

Additionally, some registrars offer special pricing or discounts for new customers registering their first domain.

Can you buy a domain on WordPress?

WordPress is a web host, not a domain seller. You can use a domain of your own for free here by choosing between any available annual plan. WordPress is open-source software that hosts websites and gives users free access to and the ability to modify them. It is a web hosting provider that offers both free and paid plans.

If you choose a free plan for your website, a subdomain (e.g., wordpress.edu or wordpress.org) will be added to your domain name.

Custom domain names, or premium domains, are included in paid plans and offer add-ons to increase your website’s credibility.

How can I get a free domain name?

No credible registrar offers a free domain name; you must pay.

However, you can always make it more affordable by checking the price ranges of different credible registrars.

The buyer should look for registrars offering free domain name registration for a short period (one year). After that, the buyer is asked to pay monthly or yearly for their domain name.

Some registrars do the opposite, making it payable for the first year and free after the renewal of your domain name. This would save the buyer from paying extra fees.

What are the best places to buy domains?

To start a blog, you must buy a domain for easy access.

Domain names can be bought or registered through any high-level domain seller officially permitted by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) to register domains.

Choosing the right domain registrar can be difficult for beginners, but this article will guide you step by step.

After choosing a domain registrar, you must select an easy-to-remember domain name not already owned by anyone else.

Most registrars provide a domain search tool with a search bar, making it easy to check domain availability and find the perfect name. The domain search process lets you quickly check whether your desired domain is available for registration.

Top registrars offer all the tools needed for domain registration, website building, email setup, and management in one place, streamlining the process for your online business.

Listed below are some of the reliable companies to buy domains from:

Domain.com
Google Domains
GoDaddy
BlueHost
HostGator
NameCheap
DreamHost

Method to buy domain names

Secure your domain today to ensure your online presence and prevent others from claiming your desired name.

Registering a domain name primarily involves the following steps: No two websites can have the same domain name, underscoring the importance of selecting a distinctive domain name for one’s online identity. When choosing your domain, make sure to select the right extension (such as .co.uk, .com, or a niche-specific TLD) that best aligns with your business goals and enhances your brand visibility.

After registering, remember that if you miss renewing your domain, there is often a redemption period, a limited timeframe to reclaim it before it becomes available to others.

Choosing the right registrar

Domain registrars sell domain names and manage the entire domain registration process. The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) authorises these companies to register domain names.

The buyer must be careful when choosing a credible registrar, as selecting the wrong one may result in additional fees or a scam.

Therefore, look for the following features offered by the business company before the registration:

Free transfers for .uk and .co.uk domains, allowing you to move your domain without additional fees.
Integrated email services and the ability to manage email accounts for seamless communication.
DNS management tools, including the ability to easily configure DNS records (e.g., DKIM/DMARC) and manage subdomains.

Price Range:

The buyer needs to read the company’s terms and policies, as well as the beginner’s guide, to identify any hidden costs. No other costs are required, except the registration fee.

The buyer shouldn’t choose registrars who offer low-cost packages for the first year but higher rates for renewal.

Registration renewal:

People could buy domain names after the expiration date.

Therefore, current website owners should choose registrars that provide automatic renewal services to avoid losing ownership of their domain name.

Domain name transfer policy:

A buyer can register and host a domain name elsewhere, but companies like Google Domains do not offer this. Therefore, buyers must carefully read the domain transfer policies to protect their privacy.

Additional Services:

No one minds getting some add-ons. Buyers should consider domain registrars that offer additional technical services, such as hosting, e-mail and control panel management, and extra domain privacy, to help protect your info by replacing it with proxy info in the public WHOIS directory.

Deciding on your Domain Name

After choosing a domain name registrar, the next important step is choosing your domain name.

Brands register multiple domain extensions to protect their online presence, enhance visibility, and target both local and international markets.

Choosing the right domain extensions is extremely important because the wrong ones could misinterpret the website’s purpose or agenda. The domain root is the base of the domain name hierarchy, and top-level domains (TLDs) are added to it to form the complete domain name.

Therefore, the buyer needs to be aware of the following different types:

Generic Top Level Domains (gTLDs):
A generic top-level domain (gTLD) is a common and versatile domain extension, such as .com, .net, or .org. These generic top-level domains are widely used for various online purposes and are not restricted to any specific country or region.

New Domain Extensions and New gTLDs:
In addition to traditional TLDs, there are new domain extensions and new gTLDs (generic top level domains) available. These modern domain extensions offer a wide variety of options, including location-based, industry-specific, and creative choices. New domain extensions can help brands stand out, protect their identity, and target specific geographic or niche markets, making them valuable for branding and professional online presence.

Country Code Top Level Domains (ccTLDs):
Country code-specific extensions, or ccTLDs, such as .uk, .de, or .es, are used to target a specific country or region. These top-level domains help businesses reach local audiences and enhance regional branding. Some ccTLDs have country-specific registration restrictions, ensuring that only entities within that country can register them. Using UK domains (.uk) is particularly important for enhancing local branding, security, and ensuring high uptime.

Country Code Top-Level Domain (ccTLD):

This type of TLD is region-specific (for example, the European Union) and is used when the URL must represent a country. For instance, “.uk” is the ccTLD used for the United Kingdom.

gTLD

This type of TLD is considered to be the most generic. It is not limited to any region, country, or purpose. It includes TLDs like “.com”, “.online”, “.net”, etc.

Check Domain Name Availability

To choose the right domain extension and select an accurate domain name, the buyer must be very clear about the purpose of their blog.

Once you have decided on your domain name, you must check its availability through a domain name availability checker.

If your chosen name is already owned, you can reach out to the owner and offer an attractive price to buy it from them and keep the domain forever.

If the owner isn’t willing to sell the domain name, you can always choose another name or add an extension, such as “.edu.pk.”

Buy A Domain Name

The buyer must continue the purchasing process after selecting a credible registrar and the appropriate domain name. This step also involves selecting the registration period.

Registrar companies offer different periods for buying a domain name, such as one to ten years. After this period, buyers must renew the domain name registration.

Purchasing policies for domain names offer buyers the option of paying for a short initial period, which could be one or two years.

After the domain purchase and checkout, the buyer will be asked to provide personal contact information, including an email address, for the domain name registration.

Verify your ownership

Purchasing might seem like a final step, but it is not. After the purchase, the buyer must verify your ownership of the email address related to the contact details and privacy protection you provided during the process.

This verification email is sent to the buyer after completing the domain name purchase and domain setup.

If the buyer doesn’t verify the ownership within 15 days, they could lose the domain name registration. Therefore, after payment, it is necessary to check the verification email and reply on time.

Domain Privacy and Security

When you register a domain name, your personal details, such as your name, address, and contact information, are typically made publicly available through the WHOIS database. While this transparency is part of the domain name registration process, it can expose you to unwanted spam, identity theft, and unsolicited marketing.

To protect your privacy, many domain registrars offer domain privacy services. With domain privacy, your personal details are replaced with the registrar’s information in public records, shielding your identity and reducing the risk of misuse. This is especially important for small businesses and individuals who want to keep their contact information confidential while maintaining a professional online presence.

Security is another critical aspect of domain management. Reputable domain registrars offer advanced security features, such as DNSSEC (Domain Name System Security Extensions) and SSL certificates, that help protect your website from cyber threats and ensure a secure browsing experience for your visitors. Features like domain locking and two-factor authentication add an extra layer of protection, preventing unauthorised changes to your domain settings or accidental domain transfers.

By choosing a trusted domain registrar that offers robust domain privacy and security services, you can register a domain name with confidence, knowing your website and personal details are safeguarded. This not only helps maintain your business’s reputation but also builds trust with your customers, ensuring your online presence remains secure and professional.

How to use the domain name for your website

The following are further steps that need to be completed to be able to have a website with your purchased domain name:

Connecting your domain to your website is a key step toward online success.

Choose a website’s host

The next step after purchasing a domain name is to look for and select a reputable web hosting provider. Hosts let you launch a website and provide server resources to store your website’s files and data when you sign up for a hosting package.

The domain name serves as a website’s address. Meanwhile, web hosting comes in different types:

Cloud hosting

Shared Hosting

VPS hosting

WordPress hosting

Transfer of the domain name

The buyer must be willing to have their domain name registrar connect their domain name to the host.

The domain name servers must be changed from the previous registrar to the new host for the website.

After that, the buyer must create an account on the web host server for their existing website to transfer the domain name and host a website.

Create your website

Once you purchase a domain name and create a hosting account on the website’s hosting server, you can begin building your site. Using modern tools and templates can help you create a beautiful website that attracts visitors.

Website hosts now offer easy-to-use site builders; however, these tools have limited functionality, making significant upgrades impossible. There are also many limitations regarding design, Search Engine optimisation, and other functions.

More advice here is to use WordPress. It helps create websites, protects privacy, and manages control panels. It is also highly customizable, meaning you can change your site’s look and feel to match your brand.

Visitors find WordPress easy to manage and to rank higher. However, setting up a website from scratch to a fully functional website while utilising a control panel is a bit of a steep curve. We recommend using the services of its developers, who can do it effectively.

Once websites are ready and themes are finalised and customised, you can create new pages, set a page, and add a wide range of posts, special characters, images, and videos.

The most significant benefit is that it is SEO-friendly on any page, offers privacy protection, and has a free SSL certificate, which can help you attract more visitors to your site.

How Cude Design help you create Amazing Websites

As explained earlier, WordPress is easy to use and has a wide range of features, making it an excellent choice for businesses of all sizes. However, designing and developing a website page here can be time-consuming and complex. That’s where Cudedesign comes in.

We’re a WordPress design and development company that can help you create a great website, whether starting from scratch or looking to improve an existing site.

Our team of experts will work with you to understand your requirements and design and develop a website that meets your needs. Contact us today to learn how we can help you create a great website.

Submit your website to Search Engines.

However, search engines are not limited to manual website submission to be aware of new sites.

They use web crawlers to get new sites every second. However, submitting your website yourself will give the business quick marketability.

For this purpose, it is necessary to develop a sitemap to help search engines discover your website’s files and content.

It lists your website’s pages, tutorials, photos, and other pertinent information, along with their linkages. Cudedesign will do this for you.

These engines often use links to find new websites and their updated content. However, this could become problematic if the owner has different websites and the web crawlers don’t have access to all of them.

In such cases, it’s a better idea to submit your website to the search engine manually.

Key takeaways

We are here to help people who struggle to buy domain names and create websites. This article provides a detailed description of purchasing a domain name and the other features of this topic.

A key takeaway for the readers is to set time-to-time reminders for your domain name on time registration renewal, or choose such registrars who offer auto-renewal, so as not to lose your ownership.

How To Buy A Domain Name For Your Surrey-Based Business