What Is a Domain Registrar? What You Need to Know 

Key takeaways: 

• A domain registrar is a company that lets you register and manage domain names for your website. 
• You don’t own a domain permanently, because you essentially “lease” it through a registrar and must renew it to keep control. 
• Choose an Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) accredited registrar with strong security, reliable support, and transparent pricing. 
• Resellers can also sell domains, but they may offer limited services and support. 

Choosing the right domain registrar is foundational in owning and managing a website. Whether you’re launching a personal blog or building an online business, your domain registrar can impact your website’s success in terms of accessibility, security, and performance.  
 
In this article, we’ll cover what you need to know about domain name registrars —what they are, how they work, and how to choose the best one for your needs. Let’s dive in!   

What is a domain registrar? 

A domain registrar is a company that allows users to reserve domain names, as well as assign IP addresses to those domains. Registrars work with ICANN, which ensures that domain names are unique and properly recorded.   

In addition to selling domains, registrars provide tools to manage them, such as:  

• Renewing your registration.  
• Transferring your domain to another registrar if needed.  
• Configuring Domain Name System (DNS) settings to connect your domain to your website. 

What’s the difference between registrar, registry and registrant? 

When dealing with domain names, it’s important to understand the distinct roles of the registrar, registry, and registrant. Although these terms may sound similar, they represent different parts of the domain management process.  

Domain registrar  

As explained earlier, the registrar is the service provider you use to search for, purchase, and manage your domain name. Examples of registrars include GoDaddy, Namecheap, and Google Domains. They act as intermediaries between registrants and registries.  

Domain registry 

The registry is the organization responsible for managing specific top-level domains , such as .com or .org. Domain registries maintain the database of all registered domain names under each extension and ensure the system operates smoothly.

Examples include Verisign for .com domains and Public Interest Registry (PIR) for .org domains. Registries are overseen by the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA), which is part of ICANN.  

Domain registrant  

The registrant is you — the individual or business with the domain name. You’re responsible for maintaining ownership, renewing the domain, and ensuring it adheres to usage policies.  

Real-world analogy  

Think of buying domain names like buying a product from a store:  

• Registrar: The store where you shop for your domain name.  
• Registry: The warehouse that supplies the products (domains) to the store.  
• Registrant: The customer who purchases and owns the product.  

Understanding these roles clarifies the domain ecosystem and helps you make informed decisions during registration and management.  

Common misconceptions about registrars  

Some people think registrars own the domain name, but that’s false. You, as the registrant, “own” it, if you renew it on time. Others believe registrars manage how domains work, but that’s the registry’s job, which oversees the specific domain extensions.   

What’s the role of registrars in DNS security? 

Registrars sell domain registrations and have access to sensitive data, making their security important for protecting domains from cybercriminals. Effective domain protection should be integral to their services. 

Historically, registrars have been implicated in domain hijacking incidents—unauthorized transfers or misuse of registration privileges. Such attacks redirect domains to fraudulent websites, disrupting businesses or enabling impersonation. 

ICANN recommends registrars adopt specific security measures, including: 

• Secure management of AuthInfo Codes, which are randomly generated to authorize domain transfers. 
• Proper implementation of domain locks to prevent unauthorized transfers. 
• Enhanced identity verification during registration processes. 
• Comprehensive record-keeping for all domain modifications. 

Can only registrars sell domain name registrations? 

Resellers also offer domain name registrations. Resellers sell domains on behalf of registrars for a commission. Though legitimate, resellers often operate domain sales as a secondary business, potentially resulting in limited customer support. 

Reseller websites may not clearly disclose their reseller status, making it challenging to distinguish them from actual registrars. To verify if a company is a genuine registrar, you can check ICANN’s official list of accredited and active domain registrars available on their website. 

What are common features and services that a domain registrar offers? 

Not all domain registrars offer the same features, but here are the most common ones that you may be familiar with: 

• WHOIS privacy protection. WHOIS privacy protection shields your personal information, such as your name and email, from being publicly accessible in the WHOIS database. This is important for reducing spam and maintaining online privacy. Domain registrars will often include or offer this service to you for a fee when you purchase your domain.  
• DNS management. DNS management tools allow you to control how your domain connects to different services, such as website hosting and email servers. A good registrar makes it easy to configure DNS records for seamless website functionality.  
• Domain transfer capabilities. Many registrars have clear guidelines and offer reliable support for handling domain transfers. The process should be straightforward if you need to move your domain to a different registrar.  
• Additional services. Many registrars also offer complementary features to enhance your website, like: SSL certificates to secure your website and protect sensitive user information, Email hosting to create professional email addresses tied to your domain, and lastly, Website builder tools to simplify the process of designing and launching your site. 

What to consider when choosing a domain registrar 

When choosing a domain registrar, consider these key factors to avoid buyer’s remorse.  

• Pricing and renewal fees. Some registrars offer upfront competitive pricing, so consider this based on your budget. Compare the initial registration cost with renewal fees, as some registrars offer low first-year prices but higher renewal rates. Watch out for hidden fees for services like WHOIS privacy or domain transfers.  
• Accreditation and reliability. Ensure the registrar is ICANN-accredited, which guarantees they meet global standards for domain registration. Look for a registrar with a strong reputation for security, uptime, and transparency.  
• Customer service quality. Reliable customer support is important for resolving technical issues or domain management queries. Check reviews to ensure accessible and helpful chat, email, or phone support.  
• Extra services. Many registrars offer added value, such as free WHOIS privacy protection, professional emails, SSL certificates, or website-building tools. Assess them to determine if they meet your needs or offer cost savings. 

Budget vs. premium registrars  

Budget registrars often focus on low-cost domain registration but may charge extra for add-ons like WHOIS privacy or DNS management. Premium registrars typically bundle advanced features, such as enhanced security and customer support, into their packages.  
Choose a registrar with the right mix of services to ensure your domain is well-managed and you have the tools necessary for your website’s growth.  

Comparative table of popular registrars  

This comparison highlights the pricing, features, and support differences across popular registrars. However, the best option still depends on your budget and preferred services.   

 
Note: Domain name costs listed above are subject to change. Please visit the domain registrars for the most accurate and up-to-date pricing.  

How does domain registration work? 

Domain registration secures your website’s name and makes it available online. It starts when you choose a website name. The registrar checks its availability in a global database. If it’s available, they register it with ICANN, allowing you to “own” the domain for a specific period as long as you keep renewing it.   
 
This means that you don’t “own” the domain name after buying or registering it with your trusted domain registrar. You’re just registering temporary rights to use it. You can register a domain for up to ten years at once but never permanently own it—you’re leasing it.  
 
After registration, you can use the registrar’s tools to set up DNS settings, which connect your domain name to your hosting server. This turns your domain into a working web address people can use to visit your site.  

Registrars don’t actually manage domain names; they just help you acquire them. As mentioned, domain name registries were the ones who handle managing and maintaining domain names.   

Register your domain with us at Network Solutions 

Choosing the right domain registrar is vital for building a strong online presence. A good registrar ensures your domain is secure, easy to manage, and has features supporting your website’s success.  

If you’re searching for a reliable option, register your domain to us. We offer competitive pricing, top-notch customer support, and vital services like domain privacy to secure your information. When you purchase a domain with us, we’ll provide you with all the tools you need to get online.  

Ready to get started? Explore our domain search tool and visit our blog for more tips on building and managing your website.  

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