Bluehost Web Hosting Help

Register a Domain Name

Summary

A domain name is an important part of your website's online presence. It's how potential visitors will remember you.

What is a Domain Name

The internet is a network of computers which are connected and capable of communicating with each other using a network protocol called TCP/IP. In order for the machines to identify themselves, they are assigned a numeric value called an IP address (ex: 123.12.123.12). As it is not possible to remember all those numbers for all the different sites, the concept of domain names was introduced. A domain name is a human readable and memorable representation of an IP address. When someone types in a domain name like Bluehost.com, the browser communicates with a root domain name server that acts as a dictionary and provides the appropriate IP.

What's in a Domain Name

A domain name consists of two parts: a top-level domain (TLD) and a second-level domain (SLD). In the domain name Bluehost.com, the TLD is ".com" and the SLD is "bluehost." The "http" is not part of the domain name; rather, it is the protocol and a part of the entire web address, called a URL. So, when you choose your domain name, you are only concerned with the TLD and SLD.

The SLD is where your creativity and originality comes in. You may choose any name you like, as long as it does not infringe upon someone else's trademark. You may only use alphanumeric characters and hyphens, though hyphens can not be used adjacently. Symbols and blank spaces are also not permitted in domain names.

How to Register a Domain Name

Legacy

To register a new domain name you will need a Bluehost Hosting Account. Once logged in to your Hosting Account, there will be two different ways to register a domain

From the Register Sub-Tab
  1. Login to your Bluehost Control Panel.
  2. Click the Domains tab.
  3. Click on the sub-tab Register.
  4. Enter your desired domain name.
  5. Click the check button.
  6. Click the green cart button to add the domain to your cart.
  7. Under your cart on the far right, click next.
  8. Review the Registration Settings and click add to cart.
  9. Apply payment details, and checkout.
From the Domains Page
  1. Login to your Bluehost Control Panel.
  2. Click the Domains tab.
  3. From the new domain search box to the left, enter your desired domain name in the Find your domain field.
  4. Click the get started button.
  5. Click the green cart button to add the domain to your cart.
  6. Under your cart on the far right, click next.
  7. Review the Registration Settings and click add to cart.
  8. Apply payment details, and checkout.

Rock

  1. Login to your Bluehost Control Panel.
  2. Click the Domains tab from the side-navigation to the left.
  3. Click the Register option from the sub-navigation.
  4. Enter the domain name you would like to register, then click Check.
  5. Click the cart icon next to an available domain, then click Next.
  6. Review the Registration Settings and click add to cart.
  7. Apply payment details, and checkout.

Additional Information for Registrants

Once registered, domain names cannot be cancelled for a refund.

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