The 7 Best Domain Registrars for Small Business in 2023
Elizabeth Kraus has more than a decade of first-hand experience building and growing a boutique digital marketing agency and double that in small and mid-size business marketing management. She provides expert answers to marketing questions related to branding, content marketing, web development, email, social media, and SEO.
Michael DeVault is a career journalist with almost 20 years’ experience in online, print, and broadcast media. He provides insights and expertise gained from more than a decade of marketing consulting, including brand launches, franchise marketing, SEO, and web development.
Getting a domain is the first step to building a website or establishing business email. The best registrars make domain names affordable, keep your data secure with domain privacy and SSL, and provide technical support when you need it. We looked at 20 of the top domain registrars to develop a list of the best providers to make it easier for you to find the right solution.
- Overall best domain registrar: IONOS
- Ideal for free bundled domain and WordPress hosting: Bluehost
- Best multi-year domain registration: Domain.com
- Cheapest way to manage multiple domains: GoDaddy Domain Club
- Top registrar for email forwarding: Google Domains
- Most affordable with included private registration: Hostinger
- Best site builder included: DreamHost
Best Domain Registrars at a Glance
Domain Registry | Cost for .com per year* | Free Domain Privacy | Free SSL | Alias Forwarding Emails | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | $1 first year, Renews at $17 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
 | $12.99 | ✕ | ✓ | ✓** | |
 | $9.99 | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | |
 | As low as $8.85 (domain club) | ✓ | ✕ | ✕ | |
 | $12 | ✓ | ✕ | ✓ | |
 | $9.99 first year, renews at $14.99 | ✓ | ✕ | ✓** | |
 | $7.99 first year, renews at $17.99 | ✓ | ✕ | ✓** |
*Represents cost for standalone domain registration
**Requires an email or web hosting plan
Pro tip: Before buying a domain name, make sure you’re not already entitled to get a free domain name with your existing web hosting, email hosting, or site builder plans.
IONOS: Overall Best Domain Registrar for Small Businesses
Pros
- $1 .com domains (first-year pricing)
- Domain privacy, secure sockets layer (SSL) certificate, and 2GB email address included
- Private registration included free
- Create alias forwarding emails
- Free domains bundled in email hosting ($12/year), website builder ($12 the first year), and website hosting plans ($6 the first year)
Cons
- $1 domain renews at $15-$20 after the first year—higher than some other providers
- Small businesses on a budget needing a domain for website and business email
- Startups and entrepreneurs looking for the cheapest place to buy a domain
- Those looking for the cheapest domain registry bundles for email and web hosting
- Temporary URLs to use for short-term web projects
- Vanity URLs for ad tracking and short-term marketing campaigns
Product / Plan | .com Domains From | Email Hosting Plans From | Website Builder Plans From | WordPress Hosting Plans From |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Cost (First Year) | $1* | $12 | $12* | $6* |
Renewal Cost Per Year | $15 to $20 | $12 | $60 | $96 |
Free Domain | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Free SSL | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Free Email Account | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
*Renews at a higher rate after the first year
IONOS tops our list of best domain registrars for small businesses. It’s feature-packed for a domain registrar at any cost, but with its $1 for the first year, IONOS is the cheapest path to a domain with a free SSL certificate and a 2GB business email address. Your domain renews automatically annually at $15 to $20—still a bargain for what is included.
In fact, bang for the buck is the key difference between IONOS and its competitors. Similar plans at other registrars cost anywhere from $29.99 a year to more than $54. IONOS’s value doesn’t come at the expense of customer service, either. In addition to everything that’s included with your domain, IONOS provides 24/7 support via chat, email, and telephone, meaning the help you need is never very far away.
Known primarily as a web host, IONOS offers a free domain name with email hosting for $12 per year. Its all-in-one website builder is available from $1 a month for the first year and includes a free domain, SSL certificate, and business email account. If you need web hosting, plans that include a free domain, SSL, and email account starting at $6 a year—that’s 50 cents a month for the first year. That makes IONOS one of the cheapest domain registrars.
Pro tip: If you need to build a website for your small business, check out our review of the best cheap website builders before you decide.
While these are introductory rates, IONOS remains valuable when it comes time to renew. Annual renewal costs for its email hosting plan remain $12 after the first year, and its website builder plan goes to an affordable $60. If you’re hosting WordPress or some other kind of website, hosting will run you $96 per year. Considering everything that’s included, any of these are a remarkable value.
Bluehost: Best Way to Get a Domain & Email Free With Web Hosting
Pros
- .coms from $12.99 the first year
- .website URLs from $1.99
- Free domain with hosting plans from $2.95/month
- WordPress hosting comes with a free WordPress site builder, .com domain, SSL, and email accounts for an all-in-one solution
- Easy and free to transfer your domain from another registry
- Set up alias forwarding emails
Cons
- Free private registration isn’t included, unlike IONOS
- Fewer domain extension options than competitors
- Businesses planning to build a WordPress website or needing to migrate an existing site from another hosting company
- Those looking for affordable .website, .tech, and .org domains
Product / Plan | .com Domain Registration From | WordPress Website Plans* From | WordPress Online Store Plans* From |
|---|---|---|---|
Cost | $12.99/year | $2.95/month | $9.95/month |
Renewal Cost | $12.99/year | $10.99/month | $24.95/month |
Domain Included | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
Free SSL | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
No-code WordPress Site Builder | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
Free Email Accounts | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
*With annual billing
Bluehost is a top web hosting service that is known for affordability and reliability. Its all-in-one hosting plans include a domain, SSL certificate, web hosting, and business email beginning at $2.95 a month. If you plan on building a website, Bluehost is one of the best domain solutions available.
If you’re considering building a website, Bluehost’s free, no-code WordPress website builder makes it easy to build a new website powered by WordPress. Because Bluehost Builder uses WordPress, you can take advantage of tens of thousands of free and premium plugins to add functionality to your website. Ecommerce is also available with plans starting at $9.95 a month.
Domains cost $12.99 a year unless you buy a hosting package, which includes your domain and SSL. Also, domain-only purchases do not have an SSL certificate, though you can buy one for an additional fee. Similarly, Bluehost does not offer free domain privacy. If you’re just looking to secure a domain name and have no plans to build a website, you’re better served by IONOS or Google Domains, which include an SSL certificate with their domains.
Pro tip: Building a WordPress website with a site builder like Bluehost Builder is much easier. Learn about the best WordPress website builders for small business in our review.
If you plan to build a small business website on WordPress, Bluehost is one of the best places to buy a domain. Domains are $12.99 a year, and you can get a domain free with an SSL certificate and business email for $2.95 a month for the first year, making Bluehost one of the most affordable ways to take your small business online.
Domain.com: Best Place to Buy a Domain With Multi-Year Registration
Pros
- Secure your domain for up to five years at a time
- Dedicated domain registrar
- Affordable .com domains from $9.99 per year
- Option to add domain privacy and protection
Cons
- Bundled options to add privacy, protection, and SSL security quickly drive up the cost of buying a domain—far more expensive than IONOS
- Not the best option for those wanting web or email hosting in addition to a domain—try Bluehost instead
- Long-term domain registration
- Those wanting an easy way to secure a domain and multiple domain names or extension variants all at once for up to five years
Product | .com Domain Registration for 1 Year | Privacy & Protection | SSL Certificate From | Sitelock Security From |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Cost | $9.99/year | $8.99/year | $19.99/month | $3.99/month |
Domain.com makes buying a domain fast and simple. In fact, with Domain.com you can purchase a domain in as little as a couple of minutes. For businesses that don’t need web hosting or a website, it doesn’t get any simpler.
If you’re looking for an affordable way to buy domains on multi-year contracts, Domain.com is the solution you’re looking for. Domain.com is a domain registrar that offers flat-fee .com domains for $9.99 a year. You can buy your domain on contracts up to five years in length. What you won’t find with this standalone registrar, however, are bundled solutions for domain, website, and business email, unlike with Bluehost and DreamHost.
If you decide later to build a website, Domain.com makes it easy to transfer your domain, forward your domain, or upgrade your account to include hosting. It even has a website builder plan, though the builder is quite limited in functionality and design features. It pales compared to the value you get with the best website builders for small businesses.
Pro tip: Need help coming up with that perfect address? Read our guide to choosing a business domain name for tips and guidance.
With Domain.com the price of your domain remains the same. There is no introductory period, so it renews for the same $9.99 you paid for the first year. Additionally, you can add domain privacy and an SSL certificate, all on the same multi-year agreement. However, adding an SSL certificate can be expensive, so proceed cautiously or consider another registrar.
GoDaddy Domain Club: Best Domain Registrar for Managing Multiple Domains
Pros
- Save money with bulk domain management
- Purchase a .com for one cent the first year plus $19.99 the second year (must pay for two years)
- Domain privacy included
Cons
- Generally more expensive for a similar value to IONOS or DreamHost
- Domains don’t come free in site builder or email hosting plans
- Best domain registrar for those managing 11 or more domains
- Agencies that want low-cost bulk domain URL management to save money buying, renewing, and transferring domains
Basic Club Membership | Premium Club Membership | Single .com Domains From | Site Builder Plans From | WordPress Hosting From | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cost (First Year) | $59.88* | $239.88* | 1 cent** | $119.88 | $107.88 |
Renewal Cost Per Year | $95.88 | $239.88 | $19.99 | $143.88 | $119.88 |
Club Domain Purchase & Renewal Cost | $11.99 each | $8.85 each | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ |
Free Domain for 1 Year | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ |
Free SSL | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
Email Accounts | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✓*** | ✓*** |
*Does not include the cost of domain purchase/renewal
**2-year purchase required, the second year billed at $19.99
***Depending on the plan, get 1-5 free Microsoft Office 365 mailboxes free for 1 year
GoDaddy is the world’s biggest domain registrar, managing an impressive 75 million domains worldwide. It’s also among the most popular sources for web hosting, email, and website builder plans. More importantly, if you manage many domains, GoDaddy may be the most affordable option.
GoDaddy offers deep savings with its Discount Domain Club, a premium membership service providing members with steeply discounted domain names—as low as $8.85 a year per domain. If your business needs more than 11 domain names for various business functions, a GoDaddy membership may be right for you.
If you’re building a website, GoDaddy has a site builder plan, as well. Their website builder is intuitive, easy to use, and can provide you with a professional-looking website in very little time. WordPress hosting is also available.
Pro tip: If you do have a domain through GoDaddy already, see how easy it is to set up a subdomain on GoDaddy to use with your business website.
GoDaddy offers single-domain purchases starting at 1 cent, with a renewal at $19.99 a year. You can get site builder plans starting at $119.88 for the first year, which come with access to GoDaddy’s intuitive website builder. Whether your needs are multiple domains or a single, stand-alone website with a site builder, GoDaddy can help.
Google Domains: Best Domain Registrar for Email Forwarding
Pros
- .com domains from $12
- Domain name privacy included free
- Live support 24/7
- Easily set up business email with Google Workspace
- Secure and reliable servers
- Create up to 100 aliases (e.g., customercare@yourdomain.com) and forward them to your existing email
Cons
- Though it says pricing starts at $7, this is not for .com and other business-appropriate domain extensions
- Getting business email to use with your domain isn’t cheap ($6-$18 per month to add Google Workspace)
- Businesses planning to use Gmail for business email
- Those wanting an easy domain registration process
- Small businesses looking for 24/7 human support for domain issues or management
.com Domain Registration (& Renewal) | .com Domain Plus Google Workspace From | |
|---|---|---|
Cost Per Year | $12 | $84 |
Renewal Cost Per Year | $12 | $84 |
Private Registration | ✓ | ✓ |
Free SSL | ✕ | ✕ |
Email Account | ✕ | ✓ |
Google Domains is a top domain registrar that offers .com domains for a flat fee that doesn’t increase after the first year. Flat pricing makes Google an affordable alternative to plans from other providers who offer introductory rates and raise prices after the first year.
Google Domains integrate easily with other Google tools, such as Google Workspace or Gmail for business email. You can manage your domain and connected services easily through your Google account. If you plan on using Workspace or Gmail, this can save you the hassle of connecting a domain manually.
If you need to host a website, Google can help there, as well. Be careful, though, because setting up web hosting on Google is not as straightforward as it is on IONOS or GoDaddy. There are additional steps to complete before your domain is ready to host a website. This is true even with Google’s built-in website builder. However, 24/7 support is available when you need it to guide you through the process.
Google Domains are an affordable, easy choice when you’re looking for domains. If you’re integrating Google Workspace and Gmail for business into your online operations, Google Domains makes setup smooth and simple. Domains are available starting at $7 for some top-level domains and $12 for .com domains.
Hostinger: Most Affordable Registrar With Domain Privacy Included
Pros
- Most affordable domain-only package with free domain privacy
- Hosting plans start at just $1.99 per month and include email
- Free domain with plans starting at $2.99 a month
Cons
- No email or SSL included on domain-only plan
- Website builder not included on Single hosting plan
- Small businesses looking for least-expensive domain privacy included domains
- Inexpensive hosting with an easy-to-use drag and drop website builder
- Businesses needing only a single email address
Product / Plan | .com Domains From | Single Hosting Plan | Premium Hosting Plan | Business Hosting Plan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Cost (First Year) | $9.99* | $2.99/Month** | $2.99/Month** | $3.99* |
Renewal Cost Per Year | $14.99 | $5.99/Month | $8.99/Month** | $11.99/Month** |
Domain Privacy Included | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Free Domain | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
Free SSL | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Free Email Account | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Website Builder | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
*Renews at a higher rate after the first year
** Billed annually for the first year. Renews at a higher rate.
For small businesses looking to buy a single domain that includes domain privacy, Hostinger is the cheapest registrar we reviewed. Hostinger is a registrar and web hosting provider known for providing an affordable hosting solution for small business websites. It’s also included on our list of best web hosting services. For domain-only purchases, you can get a .com domain for $9.99 for the first year and $14.99 a year thereafter, which makes Hostinger one of the more affordable domain solutions we reviewed.
As far as building a website, the Single hosting plan has features most small businesses will need, and if you’re willing to pay 4 years in advance, it will cost you just $1.99 a month. That includes a free SSL, website builder, and weekly backups (but not a free domain). However, these features notwithstanding, Hostinger’s web hosting offers are not as robust as those from other web hosts like IONOS or Bluehost.
Hostinger includes a free domain starting with the Premium hosting plan, making it easy to build a visually appealing website that accomplishes your brand presence goals. Starting with the Premium plan, Hostinger offers a free domain with an SSL certificate and domain privacy included for just $2.99 a month for the first year. The Premium plan renews at $8.99 per month if you pay 1 year in advance, or you can save more with a longer-term contract.
DreamHost: Best Domain Registrar With Included Website Builder
Pros
- $7.99 .com domains (first-year pricing), renews at $17.99
- Domain privacy included free
- Hosting plans include leading website builder
- 97-day Money-back guarantee
Cons
- Charges a $9.99 transfer fee, which most other providers do not charge
- No email or email forwarding with Domain-only and Starter plan
- Small businesses planning on building a non-WordPress website
- Cheap hosting for special events or short-term projects
Product / Plan | .com Domains From | Starter Hosting Plan | DreamHost Hosting Plan | VPS Hosting Plan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Cost (First Year) | $7.99* | $2.95/Month** | $16.95/Month** | $13.75* |
Renewal Cost | $17.99 | $6.99/Month | $19.99/Month** | $15.99/Month** |
Free Domain | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Free SSL | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Free Email Account | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
WP Website Builder | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ | ✕ |
*Renews at a higher rate after the first year
** Billed annually for the first year. Renews at a higher rate
DreamHost offers users a domain starting at just $7.99 a month, but the real value of the DreamHost system comes when you choose one of their hosting plans. With annual payments, web hosting is available for just $2.95 a month for unlimited sites.
In fact, at $2.95 a month for unlimited sites, DreamHost makes a strong case for businesses that have multiple websites. The unlimited websites plan includes unlimited domains, emails, bandwidth, and storage. That’s on top of a free SSL certificate with each domain you’re hosting and includes domain privacy for the first year.
DreamHost also includes other features that make it worthwhile, including daily backups and free WordPress site migration. DreamHost also automatically updates WordPress core and security as updates become available. The most valuable feature they include in hosting is BoldGrid, the award-winning WordPress page builder theme that makes it easy to build a WordPress website from scratch.
You can purchase a domain through Dreamhost for $7.99, and the annual renewal is just $13.99, making DreamHost more affordable than many of the other registrars we reviewed. The Starter web hosting package includes everything you need to build a website, and it renews annually at just $6.99 a month.
How We Evaluated the Best Domain Registrars for Small Businesses
Getting the right business domain name for your website and professional email is a vital part of your business branding. However, with so many ways to register a domain, it can be confusing to figure out which offers the most value for your business. To help you choose, we ranked the best domain name registrars based on factors important to small businesses, including:
- Cost: Ideally, domain registration should start at $10 or less for the first year for a .com domain. Other top-level domains can cost more, such as .io, which can run up to $40 a year. The registrars we reviewed all offer inexpensive .com domains, and providers with options for free .com domains scored higher, as well.
- Ease of use: Some domain registrars make registering a new domain easier than others. We chose providers that eliminate needless steps and options to help you avoid confusion. Most even have generators to give you domain name ideas should your first choice be taken.
- Features: Domain registrars that provide added value scored well. In fact, all of the domain registrars we chose for this review provide various value-added services, like SSL certificates or free email forwarding, which save you money.
- Customer service: Every domain name registrar on this list has to be reachable. That means they provide effective, timely support. Most of the providers we included here provide some version of 24/7 support. This means you can get your problems solved when you need to.
- Security: All the domain name registrar services on this list have to offer a significant number of security features, including verification steps, WHOIS privacy, and a free SSL (if purchased through hosting plans).
- Firsthand experience: Nothing substitutes for firsthand experience. We have worked with all of the domain registrars included here and knew from our own experiences the value and service they offer to customers.
What a Domain Registrar Is (& Who Needs One)
A domain registrar is a company that provides domain registration to ICANN, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers. ICANN manages the Domain Name System (DNS). A registrar is a trusted provider of services and must comply with the DNS rules and regulations ICANN establishes. These rules are created to protect your investment.
Anyone who wants to build or own a website must register their domain name through a domain registrar. The registrar collects certain information, like the name of your business, a physical address where you can be reached, and the name of an administrative contact or owner. This helps ensure that any disputes that arise around a domain name can be resolved easily by a registered agent or owner of the domain.
How the WHOIS Database is Used for Domain Registration
While researching buying your domain or building your website, you might read about the WHOIS Database (pronounced “who is”). ICANN manages the WHOIS Database, which includes an entry for every one of the 351 million domain names connected to the internet (Source: Siteefy). The WHOIS Database allows internet users to look up registration information about every registered domain.
These days, most domains are protected by Domain Privacy, meaning personal information connected to your domain name is protected from spammers or hackers. With Domain Privacy, your personal information remains hidden.
Key Considerations When Choosing a Domain Registrar
Selecting the right domain registrar is one of the most important decisions you can make when securing your small business’s presence on the internet. There are several key considerations to take into account before you make your final decision.
Here are a few questions to consider:
- How much does each domain cost? Does the registrar offer introductory pricing? What is the regular annual domain registration fee after the introductory period ends?
- What features are included with the domain? Does the domain registrar provide value-added features like free SSL certificates, domain privacy, or email forwarding?
- What features do you need? Are you just buying the domain to protect your brand identity? Or are you looking to build a website, host a company email, or build a brand presence online? Does the registrar you’re considering provide the features to accomplish these goals?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who is the safest domain registrar?
While not all registrars are created equal, when it comes to safety and security, they’re on pretty even ground. All domain registrars must follow exacting standards to maintain their status with ICANN. These standards include providing optional domain privacy, securing your domain registration with features to deter would-be domain thieves from attempting to steal your domain, and other means of locking your domain to prevent transfer.
Does it matter what domain registrar I use?
Yes, it matters which registrar you choose. Domain registrars vary wildly in terms of price and features. Some include value-added features like free SSL and domain privacy, while others allow you to host websites, company email, and more. Ultimately, the registrar you choose will be determined by the features you need most.
What is domain name privacy, and is it worth it?
Domain privacy keeps the contact information used to register your domain on WHOIS as private. It reduces spam and junk mail and is especially ideal for businesses that want to keep their physical addresses private (like home-based businesses). Some domain registrars include this free, while others charge around $11-$20 per year—but the added security is well worth it.
Bottom Line
The best overall domain name registrar for small businesses is IONOS. Domains are available through IONOS for as little as $1 a month. However, if you plan to build a WordPress website, the best value is choosing a low-cost, yet feature-rich web hosting plan through Bluehost. It includes a free domain and free business email with Bluehost’s hosting plans that cost as little as $2.95 per month for a 12-month contract.
