How to Get a Domain Name: A Complete Beginner’s Guide
- Ashley Dedin
- Jun 25
- 5 min read
Have you just built a beautiful new website that you’re ready to share with the world? Or maybe you have an amazing idea for a business and want to snag that web address before somebody else beats you to it?
Either way, you’re going to need a domain name.
Getting a custom domain doesn’t have to be overwhelming or overly technical. In fact, securing your unique piece of digital real estate comes down to four simple steps: choosing your name, picking your extension, registering it, and connecting it to your website.
In this guide, we’ll walk through the entire process step-by-step so you can secure your perfect domain name like a professional.
(Prefer to watch rather than read? Click above to watch the full step-by-step video tutorial!)
What Exactly is a Domain Name?
Simply put, a domain name is the digital street address that people type into their web browsers to find your website.
Technically, websites live behind long, complicated strings of numbers called IP addresses (like 192.0.2.1). Because nobody wants to memorize random numbers just to go shopping or read a blog, we use easy-to-remember domain names like wix.com instead.
Think of registering a domain name as renting a unique piece of digital real estate. Just like a physical street address, no two websites can ever use the same domain at the same time. Once you register it, it is completely yours!
Step 1: Brainstorm and Choose Your Name
Finding a name that fits your brand long-term can feel tricky, but you don't have to guess. If you need inspiration, you can use an AI tool like the Wix Domains Name Generator. You simply type in your ideal keywords, and if your exact match isn't available, it will instantly generate dozens of clever variations tailored to your brand.
Whether you use AI or brainstorm the old-fashioned way, keep these four golden rules in mind:
Keep it simple: Choose something that is easy to spell, pronounce, and remember. If you say it out loud on a podcast or a video, people should be able to type it into their browser without asking, "How do you spell that?"
Keep it short: Aim for a maximum of two to three words. Shorter names look cleaner and drastically reduce typing mistakes.
Ditch numbers and hyphens: Avoid addresses like my-bakery-business1.com. Hyphens look messy, and numbers confuse people. (If someone hears the number "4" in a domain, they won't know whether to type the numeral 4 or the word four).
Think about future growth: Don't box yourself in. If you sell shoes today but might expand into fitness apparel later, fargoshoes.com will limit you. A broader name like fargoathletic.com gives your brand room to grow.
A major pitfall to avoid: Stay away from overly trendy slang that will look dated in a year or two, and always run a quick trademark search to ensure you aren't accidentally infringing on an existing business name.
Step 2: Pick Your Domain Extension (TLD)
A domain extension is the suffix at the end of your web address, technically known as a Top-Level Domain (TLD). While there are hundreds of options available today, let's look at the most common choices:
.com: The undisputed king of the internet. It is the most recognized, trusted, and memorable extension worldwide. If your brand name is available as a .com, snag it immediately!
.net: Originally meant for technology networks, .net is now recognized as a highly professional extension. It's an excellent second choice if your ideal .com is taken.
.org: Traditionally reserved for nonprofits, charities, community organizations, and educational institutions.
.io: This extension has exploded in popularity among tech startups and software companies. It’s trendy, modern, and perfect for the digital space.
Do you absolutely need a .com? Not anymore! If your exact business name is taken as a .com, securing a .net, .co, or a localized extension (like .ca or .co.uk) still holds immense credibility with your audience.
Step 3: Register Your Domain
Once you have a shortlist of names, head over to a domain search tool to check availability. If your dream domain is taken, don't panic—tools like Wix Domains will automatically show you alternative extensions and smart variations. For example, you can try adding a small action word like "get" or "shop" to the beginning of your name (e.g., shopmybrand.com).
When is the best time to register?
You do not have to wait until your website is completely finished to buy a domain. There are two great times to do it:
Right away: If you find a name you love but aren't ready to build yet, register it immediately to reserve it so no one else can take it. It's a small, inexpensive investment to protect your brand.
When you launch: If you are actively building a website on Wix and plan to upgrade to a Premium plan, it might make sense to wait. Most annual Wix Premium plans include a free domain voucher for your first year, saving you money upfront.
Standard domains typically cost between $10 and $30 per year depending on the extension. Be wary of "free" domain offers that require you to use a subdomain (like yourbusiness.wixsite.com). A truly custom domain looks professional, establishes trust, and pays off in a big way.
⚠️ Check These 3 Settings Immediately After Purchase:
Domain Privacy: By law, your name, email, and phone number go into a public database called WHOIS when you register a domain. Make sure to enable Domain Privacy at checkout to mask your personal data and block scammers and spammers.
SSL Certificate: This encrypts data passing through your site and displays the secure padlock icon next to your URL. It is vital for SEO and user safety. (Wix includes a free SSL certificate for every domain hosted on its platform!).
Auto-Renewal: Domains are leased, not owned forever. If your card expires or you miss a renewal date, your site goes down and someone else can legally buy your name. Turn on auto-renewal for total peace of mind.
Step 4: Connect It to Your Website
The final step is making your domain point to your live site.
If you purchased your domain directly through Wix, congratulations—the process is completely hands-free and handled automatically behind the scenes!
If you bought your domain elsewhere (like GoDaddy or Namecheap), you can still easily connect it to Wix by updating your DNS settings:
Go to your Wix dashboard and select Connect Domain.
Wix will give you two specific lines of text called Name Servers.
Log into your external domain provider, paste those two lines into your DNS management page, and hit save.
Tip: To keep your business management stress-free, I always recommend transferring your external domain directly over to Wix once it's connected so you can manage your hosting, billing, and domain all under one single login.
Note: Domain changes can take anywhere from a few minutes to 48 hours to fully propagate across the global internet. If your site doesn't load under the new domain immediately, give it a little time!
Ready to Launch Your Brand?
Now you know exactly how to brainstorm, choose, register, and connect your perfect domain name like a pro.
What domain name are you planning to grab? Drop it in the comments below—I would love to check out your website!
If you're still stuck trying to pick the right name or want a real person to help you troubleshoot your website setup, you can book a one-on-one strategy session with me so we can get your website live together!
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