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Tag: domain name generator

  • 9 Best Google Domains Alternatives for 2023 (Compared)

    Are you looking for a Google Domains alternative?

    Google Domains helps you register a domain name for your website. However, the service is shutting down and migrating to Squarespace. That has sent many customers looking for a new place to register or transfer their old and new domain names.

    In this article, we will show you the best Google Domains alternatives.

    Best Google Domain Alternatives

    Why Do You Need a Google Domains Alternative?

    Google launched a domain registration service in 2015 to help users find, buy, and manage a domain for their business.

    However, the Google Domains service will close down, and Squarespace will take over the business and assets. Squarespace is a popular website builder that also provides hosting services.

    With Google Domains ending, all the existing customers and their domains will be migrated to the Squarespace platform.

    One of the drawbacks of transitioning to Squarespace will be domain renewal costs. Squarespace has said it will honor all existing Google Domains customers’ renewal prices for at least 12 months. However, you can expect higher renewal costs after that.

    Besides that, many other domain registration services in the market offer free domain names with hosting plans. Plus, the hosting plans are often much cheaper than Squarespace.

    That said, let’s look at some of the best Google Domains alternatives you can get your hands on today.

    1. Domain.com

    The Domain.com domain registrar

    Domain.com is the best Google Domains alternative in the market and one of the most popular domain registrars. You get top-level domain name extensions (TLDs) and lots of country code top-level domains (ccTLDs).

    It makes it very easy to search for and manage a domain name. For instance, you can access tools like WHOIS privacy protection, bulk registration, private registration, DNS management, renewals, and more.

    Domain.com also easily integrates with Google Workspace (formerly known as G Suite). You can use your Gmail for business emails and access other tools like Google Drive for storage. You also get file-sharing tools and can communicate with others using Google Meet.

    Besides that, Domain.com offers web hosting services, website builder and web design services, email marketing services, and more. There are different security features, including SSL certificates, daily malware scans, DDoS protection, blacklist monitoring, and more.

    While these additional services are beneficial, Domain.com is the perfect solution for registering a domain without hosting and using it as an alternative to Google Domains.

    For WPBeginner readers, Domain.com is offering a 25% off discount on domain products. Simply use our Domain.com coupon code to get your hands on the offer.

    2. Hostinger

    Hostinger start now

    Hostinger is another popular WordPress hosting service that also offers free domain registration. You can choose from top-level domain name extensions (TLDs) and get free WHOIS privacy protection.

    What makes Hostinger a great Google Domains alternative is that you get a variety of web hosting types to choose from. For instance, you can share hosting, cloud hosting, managed WordPress hosting, and VPS hosting.

    Plus, it offers affordable hosting prices compared to Squarespace, which will be the domain hosting platform once Google Domains shuts down.

    Besides that, Hostinger offers free CDN, a 1-click WordPress install, automatic updates, enhanced security features, 24/7 live chat support, free email, free SSL, unlimited bandwidth, WordPress acceleration, and more.

    You can check out our Hostinger coupon to get exclusive discounts and also read our expert Hostinger review for complete details.

    3. GoDaddy

    The GoDaddy website builder

    GoDaddy is the next Google Domains alternative on our list. It is one of the oldest and most popular domain registrars.

    GoDaddy offers over 84 million domains to choose from, with over 500 domain extensions. It is a great place to search and register a domain.

    It is an excellent alternative to Google Domains because it is a one-stop solution. You can buy a domain of your choice, choose a web hosting plan, and start to build a WordPress website. It also offers one of the cheapest domain registration services, with prices starting from $0.99 per year.

    If you can’t find the domain you’re looking for, then GoDaddy also offers a WHOIS search feature and domain broker service. You can hire GoDaddy to find, negotiate, and purchase a domain in the broker service.

    There is also an auction section on GoDaddy where you can see domains up for sale. Simply bid for a name you’re looking for before the auction ends.

    Besides that, you get other features like beginner-friendly domain management facilities. This includes domain name changes, bulk domain renewals, and more. GoDaddy also offers WordPress hosting, website builder, email marketing service, and other tools.

    4. Network Solutions

    Network Solution

    Network Solutions is another Google Domains alternative and one of the largest domain registrars in the market, with over 7 million domains registered.

    It offers domain features such as domain transfer, forwarding, private registration, expiration protection, WHOIS search, trademark protection, and more.

    With Network Solutions, you can register a wide variety of domain extensions, like .com, .org, .net, .biz, .info, and other niche TLDs. This makes it a create Google Domains alternative as you can choose from different domain extensions.

    Aside from that, it also offers web hosting, website builder, SSL certificate, cybersecurity solution, email marketing tools, SEO tools, and more.

    5. Bluehost

    Bluehost offer for WPBeginner readers

    Bluehost is the best web hosting service and the official WordPress hosting partner. They offer fast and affordable hosting services along with domain name registration services.

    If you’re looking for a Google Domains alternative that also offers web hosting and free SSL, then Bluehost is one of the best solutions.

    With Bluehost, you get a free domain name and a free SSL certificate with each hosting plan. This means you don’t have to pay extra to purchase a domain or get an SSL certificate.

    Another benefit of choosing Bluehost is that WordPress comes pre-installed. It also has a beginner-friendly interface, and you can easily manage everything from a single dashboard. Plus, you can use Google Workspace to set up your business emails.

    WPBeginner readers can enjoy a 60% off discount on Bluehost. This means you can start with a domain name and web hosting for only $2.75 per month.

    6. Namecheap

    Namecheap

    Namecheap is another attractive Google Domains alternative. It is a popular domain registrar that offers a powerful domain search tool. Plus, Namecheap provides suggestions for different domains if the preferred name or extension isn’t available.

    Domain Name System Security Extensions (DNSSEC) is free with every purchase of a domain name. This provides an extra layer of security by checking the DNS address and keeps your domain secure from cyber threats.

    Namecheap also provides different types of hosting services. You can choose from shared, WordPress, VPS, dedicated servers, and reseller hosting.

    Besides that, you get 24/7 customer support, a free 2-month email address trial, privacy protection, domain transfer, SSL certificates, and more.

    7. Hover

    Hover

    Hover is a beginner-friendly domain name registrar service and a great alternative to Google Domains.

    It makes it very easy to find a domain name of your choice and purchase it. You can also choose from popular domain extensions and other niche TLDs. You can also transfer domains, and renew them.

    The best part of using Hover is getting WHOIS and 2-factor authentication for free with every purchase. This is something that makes it different from Google Domains and worth checking out as a replacement for the service.

    Hover also offers tools like custom emails and Realnames emails to create a personal touch for your readers. The Realnames email lets you turn your name into an email address in the format of firstname@lastname.

    8. DreamHost

    DreamHost

    DreamHost is another great Google Domains alternative. Like many other options on the list, it also helps you register a domain and get web hosting for your website.

    You get a free domain name, SSL certificate, and domain privacy with any hosting plan. However, you can purchase a domain name for your business using DreamHost.

    There are over 400 domain extensions to choose from. Besides that, DreamHost provides a variety of hosting options.

    For instance, you can select shared hosting, managed WordPress hosting called DreamPress, dedicated server hosting, cloud hosting, VPS hosting, and more. You can see our details DreamHost review to learn more.

    It also easily integrates with Google Workspace. Plus, DreamHost offers email hosting, a website builder option, custom web design, SEO marketing, social media marketing, and other website management services.

    9. HostGator

    HostGator website

    HostGator is the last Google Domains alternative on our list. It is another popular hosting provider for WordPress that offers a free domain name.

    What makes it an attractive option compared to Google Domains is the pricing plans. You get affordable plans that include free one-year domain registration, SSL certificate, easy WordPress install, and more.

    HostGator also offers a domain transfer feature. You can migrate a domain from another platform, such as Google Domains, to HostGator.

    Aside from that, the hosting service provides other features like website builder, shared and dedicated hosting, Google Workspace integration, web design facility, SEO and pay-per-click (PPC) consultation, and more.

    Which Google Domains Alternative is the Best?

    After reviewing multiple services, our top picks are Domain.com, Hostinger, GoDaddy, and Network Solutions.

    Domain.com makes it super easy to find a domain name with multiple domain extensions. It also offers some of the best domain management and security features.

    On the other hand, if you want a domain name with web hosting, we highly recommend Hostinger. With each hosting plan, you get a free domain name and SSL certificate for one year.

    If you’re in the market to just register a domain name, then GoDaddy and Network Solutions are excellent alternatives to Google Domains. Both offer powerful domain search tools.

    FAQs about Google Domains Alternatives

    Here are some frequently asked questions about choosing a Google Domains alternative.

    1. Is Google good for buying domains?

    Google launched Google Domains in 2015 to help users buy a domain name for their websites and offer competitive prices compared to other domain registration services. However, Squarespace acquired Google Domains in 2023. Once the migration is complete, you can purchase domains on Squarespace, and Google Domains will no longer be available.

    2. Why is Google Domains better than GoDaddy?

    One of the reasons why people liked Google Domains is because it offered cheaper domains compared to GoDaddy. However, with Google Domains transitioning to Squarespace, GoDaddy is a more attractive option than Squarespace. You get more features, web hosting, a website builder, and more in GoDaddy.

    3. What is the lowest cost of a domain?

    The cost usually depends on the domain name and extension you’re looking for. Domain.com offers domain names starting from $11.99. On the other hand, Hostinger offers a domain for free with its WordPress starter and higher plans. GoDaddy lets you register a domain for as low as $0.99.

    4. Can I sell my Google domain?

    Yes, you can sell your Google domain. There are many domain registrars and marketplaces where you can sell your domain. For example, GoDaddy lets you select domains from your portfolio and list them for sale. Besides that, you can also use marketplaces like Flippa and Efty to sell your domain or website.

    We hope this article helped you pick the best Google Domains alternative. You may also want to see our guide on what’s the difference between a domain name and web hosting and must-have WordPress plugins for business sites.

    If you liked this article, then please subscribe to our YouTube Channel for WordPress video tutorials. You can also find us on Twitter and Facebook.

    The post 9 Best Google Domains Alternatives for 2023 (Compared) first appeared on WPBeginner.

  • What is a Website URL (Important Parts Explained for Beginners)

    Recently one of our readers asked what is a website URL, and is it different from a domain name?

    A URL is simply the address of a website on the internet. It is made up of a domain name, along with some other elements such as subdomains or subdirectories. Whether your URL has these other parts will depend on the choices you make when installing WordPress.

    In this article, we’ll explain what is a website URL, describe the main parts that make up a URL, and show you how to choose and register a domain name for your website.

    What is a Website URL + 3 Important Parts (Explained for Beginners)

    What Is a Website URL?

    Every website is uniquely identified by a URL, or uniform resource locator. In simple terms, if you think of your WordPress website as a house, then the URL would be its address.

    Every post, page, image, product, and resource on your website also has a unique URL. These are formed by adding characters after the website URL.

    For example, the URL to a WordPress post looks like this:

    https://example.com/this-is-a-blog-post/

    There are three important parts of a URL. It starts with the protocol used to connect to the website, which will be HTTP or HTTPS. These days, you will mostly see HTTPS because it is more secure.

    After that comes the domain name that identifies the website itself, and then the path to a specific post or resource on your website.

    A URL may also contain other information, such as a subdomain or subdirectory, a query or other parameters, and an anchor to a specific part of a web page.

    With that being said, let’s take a closer look at the 3 main parts that make up a URL, along with some optional elements:

    1. The HTTP or HTTPS Protocol
    2. Your Website’s Domain Name
    3. The Path to a Specific Webpage
    4. Optional Parts of a Website URL

    1. The HTTP or HTTPS Protocol

    The first part of a URL is the protocol. This identifies the set of rules that will be used to transfer information between the server and the user’s browser. The protocol used for websites is HTTP or HTTPS.

    The protocol is followed by a colon and two forward slashes, like this:

    https://

    HTTP stands for ‘hypertext transfer protocol’. This protocol is a set of rules that allow the user’s web browser to communicate with your website.

    HTTPS stands for ‘hypertext transfer protocol secure’ and is used when the website is operating over a secure connection. This is especially important if you wish to collect payments on your website.

    Users don’t need to type the protocol when entering your website’s URL into their web browser. These characters will be added automatically.

    Should My Website Use a Secure HTTPS Connection?

    Every day we share our personal information with different websites whether it’s making a purchase or simply logging in. In order to protect the data transfer, a secure connection needs to be created. That’s where HTTPS comes in.

    HTTPS is an encryption method that secures the connection between users’ browsers and your server. This makes it harder for hackers to eavesdrop on the connection.

    A site secured by HTTPs

    If you want to accept payments online on your eCommerce website, then you need to use HTTPS. That’s because most payment companies like Stripe, PayPal Pro, and Authorize.net require a secure connection before accepting payments.

    But we encourage everyone to move their website from HTTP to HTTPS immediately, even if you don’t run an online store. That’s because Google ranks websites using HTTPS higher than those using HTTP.

    Also, Google displays a ‘Not Secure’ warning when you visit an HTTP website in Chrome. When your users see this notice, it gives them a bad impression of your business.

    Chrome Warns Users When the Connection Is Insecure

    How Can I Move My Website to a Secure HTTPS Connection?

    When you’re ready to set up a secure HTTPS connection for your website, you need to purchase an SSL certificate. SSL stands for ‘Secure Sockets Layer’ and is the standard technology for keeping an internet connection secure.

    You may already be paying for an SSL certificate with your web hosting since many of the best WordPress hosting companies offer them free for all their users. For more details, see our guide on how to get a free SSL certificate for your WordPress website.

    After you have enabled the SSL certificate on your domain name, you will need to set up WordPress to use SSL and HTTPS protocols on your website.

    We show you how to do that step-by-step in our beginner’s guide on how to properly move WordPress from HTTP to HTTPS.

    2. Your Website’s Domain Name

    The second important part of a website URL is the domain name. This is the address that internet users type in their web browsers to visit your website, like this:

    example.com

    The user’s web browser will automatically add the correct protocol.

    https://example.com

    You need to choose a domain name when you first create your website. You should make sure that it’s easy to remember and not already being used by another website.

    Once you’ve chosen your domain name, you will need to register it. This involves a small fee that you will need to pay to the domain registrar you choose.

    What Are the Different Parts of a Domain Name?

    A domain name is made up of two or three parts:

    1. The top-level domain (TLD) is the extension of your domain name such as .com, .org, .net. There are other TLDs, but they are less common and we don’t recommend them.
    2. The second-level domain (SLD) refers to the name that comes before the top-level domain or TLD. For example, for our website, ‘wpbeginner’ is the second-level domain and ‘.com’ is the top-level domain.
    3. Some websites also use a ‘country code top-level domain’ or ccTLD to target their local audience. These include .uk for the United Kingdom, .de for Germany, and .in for India.

    We always recommend using the .com domain extension because most users will remember your website’s name and assume that it ends in .com. You can learn more in our guide on whether you should choose a new domain extension for your website.

    What’s the Difference Between a Domain Name and Hosting?

    When you first create a website, you need both a domain name and web hosting. Many beginners are not sure what the difference is.

    We said that a domain name is like the address that helps visitors find your house. Well, hosting is like the house itself. It is the place where your website posts, pages, images, and other resources actually live.

    For a more detailed explanation, please take a look at our guide on the difference between a domain name and web hosting.

    How Can I Choose the Best Domain Name for My Website?

    Choosing the right domain name for your website is crucial for your success. Get it right the first time because changing it later is difficult and can hurt your brand and search rankings.

    Try to make it short and easy to remember. Ideally, it should be less than 15 characters. It should be easy to spell and pronounce, otherwise, users might make a mistake when typing it and will see an error message or be taken to the wrong website.

    If you are having trouble coming up with a good domain name, you might like to use a domain name generator. These free tools automatically search for your defined keywords to find hundreds of clever domain name ideas.

    Nameboy Domain Name Generator

    We recommend using Nameboy, which is one of the oldest and most popular domain name generator tools online.

    You can also use WPBeginner’s free Business Name Generator tool, or IsItWP’s domain generator to find more domain name ideas.

    For more tips and tools, see our guide on how to choose the best domain name.

    Where Should I Register My Domain Name?

    Once you choose a domain name, you will need to register it with a reputable domain registrar. These are companies accredited by ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) that allow you to purchase and register domain names.

    All domain name records are stored in a centralized database. For a domain name to be recognized, it needs to be added to that database with all related information about it.

    In our research, the best domain registrar is Domain.com if you’re just buying a domain name, or Bluehost if you’re looking to build a website because they give you a domain name for free.

    To learn what to watch out for and see other options, refer to our guide on how to choose the best domain name registrar.

    Can I Change My Website’s Domain Name?

    We mentioned earlier that it is difficult to change your website’s domain name, but it is not impossible. However, it needs to be done with care, or it will badly impact your SEO rankings.

    Even when done carefully, changing your site’s domain name will temporarily affect your search engine rankings since Google and other search engines will need to adjust to the changes. It will also temporarily affect your search traffic.

    The good news is that it is possible to dramatically minimize the impact and quickly regain your search traffic and rankings. You will need to notify Google and your users of the change and use an SEO plugin like All in One SEO to set up a full site redirect.

    You can learn how to do this step-by-step by following our guide on how to easily move WordPress to a new domain without losing SEO.

    3. The Path to a Specific Webpage

    Your domain name will take visitors straight to your website’s homepage. But what if they want to visit a certain post or page? This is done by adding the path to that page in the URL after the domain name, like this:

    https://example.com/this-is-a-blog-post

    In WordPress, these are called permalinks, and the part of the address that appears after the domain name is called the slug.

    Ideally, a permalink should be easy for both humans and search engines to understand. When done right, they will help your posts rank higher on search engine results pages.

    That means you should avoid permalinks like these:

    https://example.com/index.php?p=4556

    How Can I Create an SEO-Friendly URL Structure in WordPress?

    One of the benefits of using WordPress for your website is that it creates an SEO-friendly URL structure by default. This wasn’t always the case.

    WordPress permalinks now use the post name by default. This is the most SEO-friendly URL structure because it is readable by both humans and search engines, and contains keywords that explain the article.

    WordPress' permalink settings

    To learn more on this subject, see our guide on SEO-friendly URL structures in WordPress.

    Can I Create Custom Permalinks in WordPress?

    Some of our readers are interested in creating custom permalinks, so they have more control over the URLs used on their WordPress website.

    Aside from changing the main permalink structure, WordPress also offers ways to customize the individual URLs of posts, pages, categories, tags, and other areas of your website.

    You can also use WordPress plugins to create completely custom permalinks for specific sections of your website that override the default WordPress settings.

    You can learn how in our ultimate guide on how to create custom permalinks in WordPress.

    Should I Use a URL Shortener to Make Long Post URLs Easier to Share?

    Sharing your web content on social media can build user engagement and bring new users to your website. But pasting in long links or URLs isn’t always the best way.

    That’s why URL shortener services like Bitly and TinyURL were originally created. They take a long link and make it shorter so that it doesn’t take up as much space.

    Short URL used on social platforms

    You can learn how to do this on your own website by following our guide on how to create a short link in WordPress.

    On WPBeginner, we use a custom domain, wpbeg.in, for our short links, which is a bit more technical to set up and would require you to purchase another domain. We have a separate tutorial on how to create your own customized short URL.

    Optional Parts of a Website URL

    We’ve just taken a look at the 3 important parts that make up a website URL: the protocol, domain name, and permalink.

    However, there are also several optional parts that can be used in a web address. Let’s have a look at the main ones now, and why you might like to use them.

    Should You Include ‘www’ in Your Website URL?

    You may have noticed that many website URLs start with ‘www’, and wonder whether there is an SEO benefit when you include it.

    https://www.example.com

    The fact is, there are absolutely no SEO benefits of using ‘www’ or not using it. You can choose whichever you prefer.

    What is important is that you don’t change your mind after starting your website.

    You can learn more in our guide on www vs non-www, which is better for WordPress SEO?

    Why Do Some Businesses Install WordPress in a Subdomain or Subdirectory?

    Some businesses want to create several websites under the same domain name. One way to do this is by using a subdomain, which places a word before your domain name like this:

    https://myblog.example.com

    You can create as many subdomains as you like, or choose not to use them at all. For example, some businesses use different subdomains for their blog and online store, such as https://blog.example.com and https://store.example.com.

    Another way to create multiple websites on the same domain is to install WordPress in different subdirectories, like this.

    https://example.com/myblog

    The difference is that Google sees subdomains as separate websites and subdirectories as part of the same website. That means that search engines will rank your subdomains separately, while your SEO ranking will be shared between your domain and subdirectories.

    For bloggers, startups, or small businesses with limited time and resources, using subdirectories will help you rank your website faster than using a subdomain.

    You can learn more in our step-by-step guide on how to install WordPress in a subdirectory.

    Some users accidentally install WordPress in a subdirectory. This happens when they install WordPress manually and copy the actual ‘wordpress’ folder instead of its contents onto their website. Their website URL will look like this:

    https://example.com/wordpress/

    You can learn how to fix this error in our guide on how to get rid of /wordpress/ from your WordPress site URL.

    Can a URL Take Users Directly to a Section of a Post or Page?

    Finally, you can add some characters to the end of a URL to help users quickly jump to the section of a post they want to read. These are called ‘anchor links’, and are formed by adding a hash character and anchor after the permalink like this:

    https://example.com/this-is-a-blog-post#sectionofblogpost

    You can learn how and when to use anchor links in our guide on how to easily add anchor links in WordPress.

    We hope this tutorial helped you learn more about website URLs. You may also want to see our guide on how to keep your WordPress site secure, or our expert picks on the best social media plugins for WordPress.

    If you liked this article, then please subscribe to our YouTube Channel for WordPress video tutorials. You can also find us on Twitter and Facebook.

    The post What is a Website URL (Important Parts Explained for Beginners) first appeared on WPBeginner.