Know how to register domain name is a crucial first step in establishing your online presence, whether for personal use or your business. Domain registrars like NameSilo, Namecheap, and GoDaddy are popular choices due to their reliability and user-friendly interfaces. In this guide, we will walk you through the detailed steps to register domain name on each of these platforms. Additionally, we’ll show you how to set up DNS records, which is essential for directing your domain to the correct hosting service. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to refine your skills, this guide will provide you with the knowledge to get started seamlessly.
1. Register Domain & Set Up DNS on Namesilo
Step 1: Register a NameSilo account.
Step 2: Log in to My Account and click “Register” at the top right.
Step 3: Enter the domain you want to register in the search box to check its availability.
Step 4: After clicking the Search button, available top-level domain (TLD) suffixes will appear below. If “Try To Buy” appears, it means the domain is already registered, and you need to negotiate with the current owner, often at a higher cost. Some TLDs show clear prices, indicating availability. Here, we’ll register a “.top” domain for demonstration.
Step 5: After purchasing the domain, you’ll be directed to the “Account Home” page. You’ll see “Active Domains” with the newly purchased domain. Click “Manage.”
Step 6: Complete your account information to verify domain ownership.
Step 7: After verification, return to the “Account Home” page. You can access domain management via “Domain Manager” in the sidebar or “Manage.”
Step 8: In the “Domain Manager” page, click on the domain you want to set up DNS for.
Step 9: In the “Quick Setting” page, you can directly change the “Name Servers” to your cloud server’s NS address (provided by some cloud server companies), allowing you to manage DNS from the server. DNS (Domain Name System) translates domain names into IP addresses, enabling device connections to websites, like a phone book. After purchasing a domain, add DNS records for website and email resolution. Manage DNS either at the domain provider or by changing NS to the cloud server’s NS address. For SiteGround or Hostinger servers, refer to How to point my website to SiteGround? and How to point a domain to Hostinger?
Step 10: If you don’t want to transfer DNS management to the cloud server, keep it at the domain provider by adding DNS records. Click “DNS.”
Step 11: Add two A records to point the domain to your cloud server. First, find your cloud server’s public IP address. If using SiteGround or Hostinger, check how to find the public IP. Assuming it’s 12.34.56.78, add these A records:
- Host: @; Type: A; Value: 12.34.56.78
- Host: www; Type: A; Value: 12.34.56.78
2. Register Domain & Set Up DNS on Namecheap
Step 1: Register a Namecheap account.
Step 2: Log in to My Account and search for a domain. Enter the domain in the search box.
Step 3: Choose an available top-level domain suffix.
Step 4: Complete the purchase. Click “Manage” to enter the domain management page.
Step 5: Click “Verify Contacts” and complete email verification.
Step 6: Once verified, the domain status will be “Active.”
Step 7: Click “Actions” and select “DNS/Host Records.”
Step 8: Check the two options at the bottom and click “Next.”
Step 9: To keep DNS at Namecheap, select “Namecheap BasicDNS” and check “I want to update Host Records.”
Step 10: Add two A records to point the domain to your cloud server. First, find your cloud server’s public IP address. If using SiteGround or Hostinger, check how to find the public IP. Assuming it’s 12.34.56.78, add these A records:
- Host: @; Type: A; Value: 12.34.56.78
- Host: www; Type: A; Value: 12.34.56.78
Step 11: To transfer DNS management to the cloud server, choose “Custom DNS” and enter the NS addresses provided by the cloud server. For SiteGround or Hostinger, refer to How to point my website to SiteGround? and How to point a domain to Hostinger?
3. Register Domain & Set Up DNS on Godaddy
Step 1: Register an account.
Step 2: Log in and search for the desired domain.
Step 3: Select and purchase a domain. Complete the purchase.
Step 4: In My Account, click “Domain” in the sidebar.
Step 5: Click “Manage DNS.”
Step 6: To keep DNS at GoDaddy, click “Add New Records” and add the A records provided by the cloud server. Find your cloud server’s public IP address. If using SiteGround or Hostinger, check how to find the public IP. Assuming it’s 12.34.56.78, add these A records:
- Host: @; Type: A; Value: 12.34.56.78
- Host: www; Type: A; Value: 12.34.56.78
Step 7: To transfer DNS management to the cloud server, click “Nameservers” and update the NS addresses. For SiteGround or Hostinger, refer to How to point my website to SiteGround? and How to point a domain to Hostinger?
