When it comes to buying a new domain name, do you know where to start your search? With over 2,400 ICANN-registered domain registrars to choose from, it can be overwhelming to know which is the best domain registrar for your needs.
In this article, we’ve compiled a list of the top ten registrars based on reputation, features, pricing and customer service. Whether you are looking for the best price, good customer service, an easy-to-use interface or reliable security measures, you are sure to find a provider that meets your requirements in this list.
What is a domain registrar and what is its function?
A domain registrar is a company or organization that manages the registration of domain names on the Internet. Domains are unique addresses that are used to identify web pages on the Internet, such as “google.com”.
When registering a domain name, you will have to do it through one of these providers:
- Provide a platform for searching and registering available domains.
- Ensures that domain names are unique and available for registration.
- Assigns IP addresses through DNS.
As you can see, they are an essential agent for establishing and maintaining your online presence.
How to choose a domain registrar? Factors to consider
These are the main aspects to consider when choosing a domain registrar:
- Price: Domain registrars charge different fees for domain registration, renewal and transfer. Compare prices from different registrars to find one that offers affordable rates (and make sure you’re checking beyond the first year’s prices).
- Features: Different registrars offer a variety of features, such as domain privacy, email hosting, SSL certificates and website creation tools. Also, consider the TLD (top-level domain) you want to buy, as not all registrars offer the same selection.
- Reputation: Look for reviews and comments from other users to get an idea of the company’s reliability.
- Customer service: Choose a company that offers different support channels, such as phone, email and live chat.
- Security: Make sure the domain registrar offers adequate security measures to protect your domain name and personal information from cyber threats.
- Domain transfer policy: Check the domain transfer policy and choose a provider that allows easy domain transfers in case you want to change providers in the future.
- User interface: Choose a provider that has a user-friendly interface so that you can manage your domain easily and efficiently.
If you take these factors into account, you will be able to choose a registrar that offers the features, pricing and support you need for your Internet project.
Top 10 domain name registrars in Spain*.
Now that we’ve covered the basics of what domain name registrars can provide, let’s take a deeper look at the 10 most popular within the Spanish market today.
- GoDaddy
- Google Domains
- Ionos
- Hostinger
- Arsys
- CDmon
- DonDominio
- Nominalia
- Sered
- Raiola Networks
Let’s take a closer look at each of them.
GoDaddy
Headquartered in Tempe, Arizona, GoDaddy was founded in 1997. It is currently the world’s largest domain registrar, with more than 84 million domain name registrations.
WHOIS Privacy: Free domain privacy is included with domain registrations.
Domain Transfers: Incoming domain transfers cost €9.33 and include one year of free registration. Outgoing transfers have no cost associated with them and can be easily performed by the customer from their account.
Additional services: GoDaddy’s domain registrations include several free services such as a website builder, domain protection and privacy, a logo creation tool. Additional services such as hosting, email and DIFY web solutions are also available. GoDaddy also offers a 24/7 customer support service available all year round.
Google Domains
Google Domains, part of Alphabet Inc. in Mountain View, California, launched its domain registration services in 2015. It currently has more than 9 million domain names registered.
WHOIS Privacy: Google offers free privacy for domains.
Domain transfers: For incoming transfers, you will have to pay for one year of domain registration. Outgoing transfers have no associated cost and can be completed by the customer from their account.
Additional services: Google offers integration with its Google Workspace, automatic linking to popular web design tools, free DNSSEC, free email forwarding and DNS export options.
Ionos
Known as 1&1 for over 30 years, they rebranded their company as IONOS in 2018. They currently have over 5 million domain name registrations through their services (as well as being the largest hosting provider in Europe).
WHOIS Privacy: IONOS includes free domain privacy for their domain names.
Domain transfers: Incoming domain transfers are free of charge. Outgoing transfers are also free of charge and can be completed by the customer from their account.
Additional services: An email account with free SSL certificate is included with the purchase of domains. IONOS also offers hosting, e-commerce and site creation services, as well as 24/7 customer support.
Hostinger
Founded in 2011, Hostinger is an employee-owned hosting provider that currently has 1.4 million domain names registered.
Headquartered in Lithuania, their company also owns other brands, such as Zyro Website Builder and Niaga Hosting.
WHOIS Privacy: Domain name privacy is included free of charge with Hostinger.
Domain Transfers: Domain transfers are at the cost of the domain registration for the first year. Outgoing transfers have no associated cost and can be completed by the customer from their account.
Additional Services: Hostinger offers hosting, VPS and email services for its customers. Their chat support team is available 24/7.
Arsys
Arsys was founded in 1996 in Logroño, Spain. It was one of the first Spanish companies dedicated to providing web hosting and domain services. Currently, it has more than 760,000 domains registered in the Spanish market.
WHOIS Privacy: Arsys offers free domain privacy for your registered domains during the first year.
Domain transfers: Domain transfers have the cost of domain registration during the first year. Outgoing transfers are free and can be done by the customer himself from his account.
Additional services: In addition to domain registration, Arsys offers web hosting, professional email, security services among others.
CDMON
CDmon is a domain registration and web hosting service provider based in Spain. It offers a wide variety of domain extensions and has an intuitive interface to manage your domains.
WHOIS Privacy: CDMON offers free domain privacy for your registered domains.
Domain Transfers: Incoming domain transfers to CDmon include a one year domain renewal. Outgoing transfers are free of charge.
Additional Services: CDMON offers additional services such as hosting provider, email accounts and SSL certificates.
DonDominio
DonDominio is a Spanish domain registrar offering a wide selection of domain extensions, including those specific to Spain (.es, .com.es, etc.).
WHOIS Privacy: Free domain privacy service for registered domains.
Domain transfers: Depends on the domain extension. In the case of .es domains, it will be free as long as there are more than 30 days left for the domain to expire. In the case of .COM domains, the transfer does have a cost.
Additional services: DonDominio also offers hosting, web security and email products.
Nominalia
Nominalia is a domain registration and web hosting service provider based in Spain. It offers a wide variety of domain extensions and provides additional tools such as website builder and SSL certificates.
WHOIS Privacy: Nominalia includes free domain privacy service for registered domains.
Domain transfers: Incoming domain transfers start at 1.90 euros. Outgoing transfers do not have an associated cost.
Additional services: Nominalia also offers hosting products, electronic certificate and professional email addresses.
Sered
Sered is a Spanish company that offers domain registration services with a wide variety of domain extensions.
WHOIS Privacy: Active domain protection for all registered domains.
Domain Transfers: Incoming domain transfers start at 1.90 euros. Outgoing transfers have no associated cost.
Additional services: Sered also offers shared hosting solutions, VPN and SSL certificates.
Raiola Networks
Raiola Networks is a provider whose main focus is web hosting, although it also offers domain registration services with a wide variety of extensions.
WHOIS Privacy: Active domain protection for all registered domains.
Domain Transfers: Incoming domain transfers cost the same as the registered domain. Outgoing transfers have no associated cost.
Additional services: Raiola also offers hosting services, VPS and dedicated servers.
Finding the best domain registrar for your needs
Choosing the best domain registrar is an important step in establishing and maintaining an online presence. To find the one that best suits your needs, it is critical to consider the company as a whole. Not every provider is going to have a range of services that will meet everyone’s needs.
While comparing prices from different registrars can help you find the most affordable option, there are other factors to consider. For example, checking the company’s reputation and customer service is key to choosing a reliable and trustworthy registrar. Also, is their website easy to use, and can you find their contact information easily?
Another factor to consider is additional services they offer, such as email hosting and website creation tools, which can add value and provide you with an all-in-one domain solution.
We hope our guide has provided you with useful information to get you started in your search for the best domain registrar for you or your business. Selecting a provider that suits your needs will ensure that your website is on a solid foundation and set for future success.
Frequently Asked Questions About Domain Name Registrars
Who is the largest domain name registrar?
GoDaddy is the largest domain registrar, with over 84 million domain names registered.
Which registrars offer the best privacy options?
Most registrars include domain privacy as well as 2-factor authentication for accounts created through them.
Domain privacy, also known as WHOIS privacy, is a service offered by registrars to protect the privacy and personal information of domain owners. This feature helps keep the owner’s information private and out of the reach of fraudsters.
Some registrars go a step further and offer domain protection services, which is an additional lock to prevent unauthorized domain transfers.
Do all registrars offer the same domain extensions?
No, not all registrars offer the same domain extensions. Most usually offer the most common ones, but if you have a particular gTLD in mind, you will need to make sure that your provider offers it.
Is it important to choose the right registrar?
Not all registrars are the same. Some offer more free services with registrations, while others do not. For example, many offer free WHOIS privacy, but others charge for it. Make sure you choose a registrar that suits your needs.
Can I use more than one domain registrar?
You don’t have to, but it is a matter of personal preference and specific needs. In general, most website owners and businesses use a single domain registrar to manage their domain names, which simplifies the management process and reduces the risk of confusion or errors.
Regardless of whether you use one or multiple registrars, it is important to keep your domains organized and ensure that you have access to registrar accounts as well. This includes keeping track of domain registration and expiration dates, maintaining accurate contact information, and regularly monitoring domains for any unusual activity.