Whether you’re launching a personal blog, an online business, or your portfolio website, registering a domain is the very first step to building your online presence. In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to register your first domain name using GoDaddy — one of the most popular and beginner-friendly domain registrars in the world.
This post may contain affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products or services I genuinely believe in and have experience with.
Why Choose GoDaddy
GoDaddy is a well-known domain registrar trusted by millions of users. Here’s why I often recommend it to clients:
- Simple user interface
- Competitive pricing
- 24/7 customer support
- Bundled services like email, hosting, and website builder
Step 1: Go to GoDaddy’s Website
Click on this link to visit GoDaddy’s domain registration page
Step 2: Search for Your Desired Domain Name
Use the search bar on the homepage to type in the domain name you want.
Tips for Choosing a Good Domain:
- Keep it short and easy to spell
- Avoid numbers and hyphens if possible
- Try a .com if available, but .co or .net are good backups
- Use keywords related to your business or brand
Step 3: Choose From Available Options
If your desired domain is available — great! Click “Add to Cart.”
If it’s not available, GoDaddy will suggest similar alternatives. You can:
- Try a different extension (.co, .shop, etc.)
- Add a slight variation to your name (e.g. with “get” or “my”)
Step 4: Review Add-Ons (Privacy, Email, Hosting)
Before checkout, GoDaddy may offer add-ons such as:
- Domain Privacy Protection – Hides your personal contact details from public WHOIS records (Recommended)
- Professional Email – Get a branded email (e.g. you@yourdomain.com)
- Website Hosting – If you’re building a full website
Select what you need — or skip and add later.
Step 5: Create a GoDaddy Account
You’ll need to sign up or log in to complete the purchase. Use an email you check regularly, as you’ll get important renewal notices here.
Step 6: Complete Payment and You’re Done!
Enter your billing info, complete payment, and boom — you own your domain!
You’ll receive a confirmation email and can now manage your domain from your GoDaddy dashboard.
What’s Next?
Once you have your domain:
- Connect it to your website platform (e.g. Shopify, Wix, WordPress)
- Set up your email if needed
- Don’t forget to renew it annually or enable auto-renew
Final Thoughts
Registering a domain is a big first step — and now you’ve done it like a pro! If you’d like help setting up your website, I also offer done-for-you services and tutorials.