Best Domain Registrars for Small Business Owners: A Beginner-Friendly Guide

Explore the best domain registrars for small business owners in this beginner-friendly guide. Compare features, pricing, and services to find the right fit.

A domain name is one of the most important components of your business identity. Besides its role as a digital identifier, it tells consumers what you do and sets the tone for how they perceive your brand. While it's important to find the right match, you also need to consider where you purchase a domain. 

For instance, Wix and several other registrars have witnessed the unshattered trust of thousands of enterprises. Their offerings are exhaustive in terms of domain extensions, and of course, they supply additional services like WHOIS privacy protection, SSL certificates, and 24-hour support.

Yet, some providers lack transparency in their pricing and may cut corners regarding security. Choosing any of the 2,800 registrars accredited by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) does not guarantee quality service.

We have provided you with a list of the best domain registrars for small businesses, along with tips on how to select the most suitable one. Let us get into it.

The 5 Best Domain Registrars for Small Enterprises 

A well-thought-out domain name can help you build trust, drive brand awareness, or highlight your unique value proposition, but choosing one isn’t easy. 

You have to brainstorm ideas first, assign a name, and check the availability for it. If someone has taken that, then back to the drawing board.

Secondly, you need to allocate time for researching and comparing registrars. Some may not provide equal security, clarity, or level of control; others may opt for deliberate obscurity or hide critical details in fine print. And such discounts may well end in adverse situations, like extra renewal prices or suddenly losing your choice to switch to another provider. 

Lost on all begins? Here are five domain registrars for you to consider. Continue reading to get to know their respective offers and what distinguishes them. 

1.Wix 

Wix is a popular website creation platform known for its easy drag-and-drop functionality; however, it has bestowed the responsibility upon itself to be a domain registrar and web hosting provider. Accredited by ICANN, it is well-reputed for reliability, ease of use, and responsive support. 

Business owners receive a complimentary domain name for one year when they purchase their Wix website plan annually. Domain names come with enhancements like WHOIS lookup and security through SSL certificates. 

In addition, you have options of over 75 domain name extensions, with .com, .digital, and .shop being some of the more common choices. Here are a few examples:

Domain name extensions available at Wix	Best for
.com	Any website, including professional portfolios, corporate sites, business blogs, and personal projects
.shop, .store	Ecommerce businesses selling physical or digital products
.design	Creative agencies, graphic designers, and visual artists
.finance	Banks, fintechs, and other businesses in the financial industry
.expert	Thought leaders, business coaches, consultants, and other professionals
.digital	Media companies, marketing agencies, businesses offering digital products or services
.agency	Marketing and advertising agencies, PR firms

Pros

• Free WHOIS privacy protection 
• One-click SSL certificate installation
• Automatic DNS configuration
• 24/7 customer support

2. Namecheap 

Business owners who register with Namecheap get free domain privacy protection for life, plus a free email address for 60 days. Some domains are available for as little as $0.99 per year, and you can also purchase web hosting bundles that include domain names at discounted rates. 

To date, Namecheap offers over 550 domain extensions, including handshake top-level domains (TLDs) like .api, .wave, .js, and .creator. The former are registered on a blockchain network, ensuring more security and privacy as compared to traditional domains. They are desired by tech enthusiasts and individuals seeking more autonomy in creating their online identities.

Pros 

• Free WHOIS privacy for life 
• Low registration fees
• Handshake domains

3. Domain.com

Domain.com has been around for over two decades, offering standard and premium domain names with flexible add-ons. For example, you can purchase a domain and web hosting, SiteLock security, or marketing services. Plus, there's the option to choose from more than 300 domain extensions. 

WHOIS privacy, SSL certificates, and other services aren’t included in the domain price, but you can add them at checkout for an extra fee. Customers can also search for and register premium domains, which tend to be shorter and more marketable than the average domain name. An example would be "getlean.com" or "fashionguru.com." 

Pros 

• 300+ domain extensions
• Premium domain names
• Easy domain transfer

4. Porkbun

Amongst some of the cheapest domain registrations available in the industry, this will suit startups and budget-conscious persons alike. But what makes this website stand out are the odd extensions. These include .beer, .ninja, and .deal, and can work well for creatives and niche businesses, as well as for entrepreneurs looking to build a strong brand identity.

All registrations include free WHOIS privacy and Let’s Encrypt SSL certificates. You'll also get free URL forwarding and DNS management at no extra charge. 

Another advantage is that you can register your new domain name for up to 10 years in one go. This allows you to lock in the current rate for the entire period and avoid price hikes until the time comes to renew the domain.  

Pros 

• Unique domain extensions 
• Lots of freebies are included with each domain
• Low registration fees

5. NameSilo

Many business owners buy domain names in bulk to secure different extensions or variations of their primary domain. This prevents their competitors from registering look-alike domains while keeping the door open for future extension into new markets. 

If that’s your plan, you might want to check out NameSilo - it offers excellent deals on bulk domain purchases. The more domains you register, the lower the price per domain. 

The NameSilo marketplace is another feature that stands out, where premium domains are bought and sold. Listing fees do not apply here, causing sellers to usually transfer on the savings to the buyers.

Pros 

• Free WHOIS privacy and domain protection services 
• Free email forwarding
• Back-order domain names

Choose a Domain Registrar You Can Trust 

While there are thousands of domain registrars on the market, only a few will meet your needs. Some offer low prices but charge extra for WHOIS privacy and other services that their competitors include for free. You'll also find providers who check all the right boxes, except that their services are tailored to the needs of large enterprises - and so are their prices. 

Firstly, get the domain registrars from this guide. Compare them like for like, check out their FAQ section, and read customer reviews.

Take the next step and contact their support team. One should notice how prompt their response has been and how useful the answer turned out to be. In turn, less likely that you will get any better levels of service from them once you become their customer. A slow or generic reply now could be a red flag for future interactions. 

The most crucial thing is to consider your business needs when making a purchase of a domain name. Consider how your organization will use the domain name, prioritize features, and explore other domain extensions or variations that interest you. In security terms, going for a domain is a big consideration; you should therefore select a registrar that doesn't compromise that essential factor.

As a final word, don’t go for the cheapest offer out there. Instead, make sure you get the most value for your money. For example, some registrars charge a bit more than their competitors but include lots of freebies and keep renewal fees low, which can be a great deal.