If you’ve been anywhere near the internet in the past few years, you’ll know that WordPress is one of the most popular site-building and content management systems around. From blog posts to full-fledged business sites, people are using WordPress to create all kinds of websites. It can help you design, launch, and manage your site with ease. The big question is – can you buy a domain through WordPress?
You can buy a domain through WordPress, it is pretty simple and you can get it activated in just under 72 hours! For all 4 of WordPress’ annual plans (Personal, Premium, Business, and eCommerce), you’ll be able to get a custom domain name that’s free for one year, after which you’ll be charged an annual fee of $18.
In this article, we’ll give you step-by-step instructions on how to buy a domain through WordPress. We’ll also take a look at some of the best plans that WordPress has to offer so that you can make an informed decision about which one is right for your website. Let’s go get you that dream domain name, shall we?
How Can I Buy a Domain Through WordPress?
WordPress has made the process of buying a domain name extremely simple. You can search for and purchase your desired domain name directly from your WordPress dashboard. Just follow these steps:
1. Create an Account or Log In
This step is pretty self-explanatory – you need to have a WordPress account to buy a domain through the platform. If you don’t already have one, head over to WordPress.com and sign up for an account. Once you’re logged in, move on to step two.
Fun Fact: Did you know that 34% of ALL websites on the internet are built using WordPress? This brings the number to around 455 million websites! That’s a pretty impressive stat, don’t you think?
2. Think of A Domain Name for Your Website
If you haven’t already, now is the time to come up with a domain name for your website. This is, of course, easier said than done. It’s important that you take your time with this step and choose a name that you’re absolutely happy with. Here are some pointers to keep in mind:
- Your domain name should be short, sweet, and easy to remember.
- It should be relevant to your website’s brand or niche.
- Try to use unique, keyword-rich words in your domain name.
- Don’t use hyphens or numbers in your domain name if possible.
3. Choose Your Domain Through WordPress
Once you create your account on WordPress, you’ll automatically be taken to a page where WordPress will ask you to enter some descriptive keywords. These keywords will allow WordPress to generate a list of domain names that are available for your website.
You can enter as many or as few keywords as you want. When you’re happy with the list of domain names that WordPress has generated, it’s time to choose your favorite and add it to your cart.
Note: If you already have an account on WordPress, simply login and click on the top-right icon on your dashboard that says “My Site”. You will now get an option called “Create a Site”. Click on it and follow the steps mentioned above.
4. Select the WordPress Plan That’s Right for You
Now that you’ve added your desired domain name to your cart, it’s time to choose the WordPress plan that best suits your needs. As we mentioned before, there are four main plans: Personal, Premium, Business, and eCommerce. Here’s a quick rundown of each one:
| Personal | Premium | Business | eCommerce | |
| Description | The Personal plan is perfect for those who need a simple website or blog. | The Premium plan is great for those who need more features and customization options for their website. | The Business plan is best for small businesses thatwho need an online presence. | The eCommerce plan is Perfect for businesses that need an online store. |
| Benefits | Includes a free domain name, ability to collect payments, and unlimited email support. | Includes everything in the Personal plan, plus the live chat support, premium themes, and Google Analytics integration. | Includes everything in the Premium plan, plus access to more than 50,000 plug-ins and advanced search engine optimization tools. | Includes everything in the Business plan, plus the ability to accept payment from 60+ countries, integration with shipping carriers around the world, and premium designs tailor-made for online stores. |
| Price | $4/month for 1 year | $8/month for 1 year | $25/month for 1 year | $45/month for 1 year |
Each of these plans will give you a free domain name for the first year. After that, you’ll need to renew your domain name at the standard rate (which is currently $18 per year). This will be charged separately from your WordPress plan.
5. Finish Checkout and Start Building Your Website!
Once you’ve selected the WordPress plan that’s right for you, it’s time to finish checking out and start building your website! You’ll need to enter your billing information and choose how you want to pay for your domain name and hosting.
After you’ve finished checkout, you’ll be taken to your WordPress dashboard. This is where you’ll be able to manage all aspects of your website. From here, you can add posts or pages, change your theme, add plug-ins, and much more!
Can I Change My Domain Name on WordPress After I Purchase It?
One of the most convenient things about purchasing your domain name through WordPress is that you can change it at any time. However, there are a few different scenarios you need to keep in mind when changing your domain name:
- Within 96 hours of purchase: This is the refund period that WordPress offers, and during this time, you can change your domain name without penalty. If you do choose to change your domain name, WordPress will automatically refund the cost of your original domain and apply it to the new one.
- More than 96 hours after purchase: After 96 hours, the option available before you is to purchase a new domain name and then set it as the primary domain name for your site. You can do this from your WordPress dashboard by going to My Sites → Domains and then selecting the “Make Primary Address” option next to your desired domain. This will set it as the primary domain name for your site and you’ll be able to use it immediately.
Note: Keep in mind that if you’re purchasing an additional domain name, you’ll be charged the standard rate for that domain as well. As such, you can either keep both domains or cancel the original domain so that you don’t get charged for it the next year.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about purchasing a domain name through WordPress:
Q.1. Can I buy a domain with GoDaddy and then use it on WordPress?
A. Yes, you can connect any domain that you own with WordPress, regardless of where you purchased it. At the screen for selecting your domain name, you’ll see an option on the right-hand side that says “Use a domain I own”. Once you select this option, you can either move your domain to WordPress (transferring) or simply connect it with your WordPress site while still keeping the old provider (mapping).
Q.2. What’s the difference between transferring my domain and simply connecting it?
A. When you transfer your domain to WordPress, it means that WordPress will become the registrar for your domain name. This has a few benefits, such as getting a free year of hosting when you purchase an annual WordPress plan, as well as getting 24/7 support from the WordPress team. You’ll also get to manage your domain and hosting all in one place, which can be convenient.
Q.3. Can I permanently buy a domain name?
A. Unfortunately, there’s no such thing as “permanently” buying a domain name. This rule was designed in such a way by ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) to ensure that domain names remain available to anyone who wishes to purchase them. With that said, however, you can effectively “own” a domain name by renewing it each year before it expires. As long as you continue to renew your domain name, no one else will be able to purchase it.
Final Thoughts
WordPress is a great platform for building a website, and once you get used to it, you can create some of the most stunning pages on the internet. With the added advantage of being able to buy your favorite domain name right from your WordPress dashboard, it’s easy to see why WordPress is such a popular choice for so many people. So, if you’re looking to grow your business or personal blog, give WordPress a try today!