Curious which registrar gives the best mix of trust, privacy, and price for your site?
Choosing the right domain name can feel overwhelming. You want strong privacy, fast DNS, and clear renewal costs. Big options like Squarespace, Hostinger, and Gandi each shine in different ways.
Squarespace offers free WHOIS privacy, Let’s Encrypt SSL, premium DNS, and simple management with round‑the‑clock support. Hostinger gives many extensions, instant activation, an AI generator, and promos that cut first‑year prices. Gandi focuses on transparent renewal pricing, Anycast DNS, and solid security features.
This guide explains what matters before checkout: WHOIS privacy, SSL, DNSSEC, and support. You’ll learn how those choices affect trust and long‑term value for your business and online presence. Follow the quick steps here and feel confident when you search, register, or transfer your new domain.
Key Takeaways
- Compare privacy, SSL, DNS, and support before purchase.
- Squarespace is strong for integrated sites and privacy.
- Hostinger offers many extensions and low first‑year promos.
- Gandi prioritizes transparent pricing and robust DNS.
- Watch renewal rates and bundle hosting only when it saves money.
Start strong: what to look for before you buy a domain name
Start by checking the core protections and account controls that keep your site secure and portable. Focus on features that reduce risk, speed setup, and limit surprise costs in the year ahead.
Must-have features
- WHOIS privacy: Keep contact information out of public lookups. Make sure it’s included at no extra cost to cut spam and exposure.
- SSL/TLS: Encrypt site traffic for trust and SEO. Squarespace and Gandi include certificates, sometimes free for the first year.
- DNS & DNSSEC: Prefer Anycast or premium DNS plus DNSSEC to block forged responses and speed global resolution.
Pricing and renewals
Promos can be tempting. Check renewal pricing and total cost for the year, including protection and email forwarding. Transparent fees save headaches later.
Ease of use and support
Good services offer intuitive control panels, domain forwarding, and 24/7 support or solid documentation. Instant activation and simple transfers lower setup time and friction.
For a practical walkthrough that pairs with these checks, see how to buy a domain name.
Trusted registrars compared: Squarespace Domains, Hostinger, and Gandi
Match the provider’s toolkit with your workflow: simple panels, promo pricing, or developer APIs.
Squarespace Domains bundles privacy and ease. It includes free WHOIS privacy for eligible registrations, Let’s Encrypt SSL, premium DNS via Google Cloud, DNSSEC, and up to 100 email forwarding addresses.
That means clean management, spam‑free parking pages, two‑factor access, and 24/7 support. Pricing is all‑in with no hidden fees—good for small business owners who value simplicity.
Hostinger
Hostinger is ICANN‑accredited and excels at fast launches. It offers 300+ extensions, instant activation, free privacy on eligible records, and strong first‑year pricing.
Promos like low .com rates speed a site live and cut early costs. Hostinger also provides domain transfers and round‑the‑clock help for customers focused on rapid rollout.
Gandi
Gandi targets technical users who need transparent renewals and control. It supplies Anycast DNS with DNSSEC, free first‑year SSL, aliases, HTTPS forwarding, MFA, and API access.
Renewal grids are clear (examples shown in the table). That makes Gandi a strong pick for portfolios, developers, or admins managing many records.
| Feature | Squarespace | Hostinger | Gandi |
|---|---|---|---|
| WHOIS privacy | Free on eligible domains | Free on eligible domains | Included where allowed |
| SSL | Let’s Encrypt (auto‑renew) | Available | Free first year |
| DNS | Premium (Google Cloud) | Standard | Anycast + DNSSEC |
| Support | 24/7 customer support | 24/7 customer support | Email & API support |
| Pricing focus | All‑in, no hidden fees | Low first‑year promos | Transparent renewals |
When to choose which registrar
If you want polished UX and bundled tools for a simple site, prefer Squarespace.
Choose Hostinger for low first‑year cost and quick activation across many extensions.
Pick Gandi when you need developer features, clear renewal figures, and strong DNS controls. For more options and rankings, see this top registrar list.
Transparent pricing: first‑year promos, renewals, and total cost of ownership
An attractive first price tag may hide higher costs in later years. Compare multi‑year totals, not just that initial checkout figure.
Quick reality check: Hostinger runs sharp promos like .com at $2.99 (with 2+ years), .shop at $0.99, .net $11.99, and .io $31.99. Gandi lists registration and renewal explicitly—.com registers at $11.00 and renews at $38.38; .io registers at $37.99 and renews at $49.00. Squarespace uses all‑in pricing that includes WHOIS privacy, SSL, premium DNS, and email forwarding.
Promotional pricing vs renewal rates
Weigh upfront savings against renewal stability across .com, .net, .org, .io, and .shop. Small renewal gaps grow when you hold many extensions.
Hidden fees checklist
- WHOIS privacy — include it or add the annual cost.
- Premium DNS — improves speed, may cost extra.
- Email forwarding — useful if included.
- SSL — check if free or billed yearly.
- Transfer fees — factor these when moving services.
| Extension | Sample promo (Hostinger) | Gandi reg / renew (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| .com | $2.99* | $11.00 / $38.38 | Low promo, higher renewal at Gandi; Squarespace bundles extras |
| .net | $11.99 | — / — | Moderate promo, check renewal per provider |
| .org | — | $7.99 / $14.20 | Good long‑term value for nonprofits |
| .io | $31.99 | $37.99 / $49.00 | High renewal volatility; budget accordingly |
| .shop | $0.99 | — / — | Great for sales launches; confirm renewal rates |
Security and privacy protections that safeguard your brand
A secure registration setup is the first line of defense for brand protection online.
WHOIS privacy protection
Enable WHOIS privacy so your contact details do not appear in public RDAP/WHOIS records. This cuts spam and lowers the risk of targeted attacks.
Free SSL/TLS certificates for trust and encryption
Use SSL/TLS to encrypt site traffic and show HTTPS. That builds trust with visitors and protects logins, forms, and email forwarding paths.
Premium DNS, DNSSEC, and MFA for uptime and protection
Choose premium DNS or Anycast networks for resilience and speed, and activate DNSSEC to stop forged DNS responses. Protect registrar accounts with MFA or 2FA to prevent unauthorized changes.
- Squarespace: includes WHOIS privacy on eligible records, Let’s Encrypt SSL, premium DNS, DNSSEC, and 24/7 support.
- Hostinger: offers privacy protection on eligible records and round‑the‑clock support.
- Gandi: supplies Anycast DNS with DNSSEC, free first‑year SSL, HTTPS forwarding, and MFA.
Maintain strong account hygiene: unique passwords, role‑based access, and auto‑renew reminders. For an in‑depth guide on protection and business brand safety, see our domain protection guide.
Choosing the right domain extensions for your website
Your extension shapes first impressions and helps users judge credibility. Start with .com when it’s available for broad recognition and trust signals. If .com is taken, consider .net for multipurpose projects, .org for nonprofits, and .info for reference or tutorial hubs.
.com, .net, .org, and .info: meaning, trust signals, and use cases
.com reads as commercial and familiar. .net is flexible. .org signals community and charity work. .info fits knowledge bases and docs.
ccTLDs and new gTLDs (.io, .shop, .online, .xyz): strategy and availability
Consider ccTLDs like .us or .co.uk for local targeting. New gTLDs such as .io, .shop, .online, and .xyz expand choices and can match brand messaging. Hostinger lists 300+ extensions, and all three registrars here carry broad TLD selections.
- Search core variants across extensions to prevent confusion and protect your presence.
- Balance creativity with clarity so users can spell and speak your site easily.
- Factor renewal pricing and consider defensive registrations for key hits.
For quick checks, run a domain name search across multiple extensions before finalizing your choice.
where to buy a domain name: the quickest paths to registration today
Get live in minutes by following a clear, guided path from search to checkout. Start with a domain name search that checks availability across many extensions and shows helpful suggestions.
Buy new: search, pick extensions, checkout
Enter your desired name in the search box and review suggested variants. Use an AI generator or name search tips if your first pick is taken.
Select extensions based on fit, add items to cart, and complete checkout. Squarespace and Hostinger streamline this with fast activation, included WHOIS privacy, SSL, premium DNS, and clear pricing.
Transfer existing domains for consolidated management
If you already own domains, initiate a transfer to centralize billing and control. Hostinger and Gandi offer guided transfer workflows and 24/7 support during the process.
Get a free domain with eligible annual hosting plans
Save money by bundling: Hostinger includes a free domain with many Premium or Business web hosting plans. Squarespace also offers a free first‑year domain with eligible annual website plans.
“Enable auto‑renew and confirm contact details so your registrations remain active.”
For registration details and regulations, see domain name registration.
Step‑by‑step: from domain registration to going live
After checkout, a short technical checklist gets your site reachable and protected in minutes.
Connect DNS, set up SSL, and enable WHOIS privacy
Point the domain by adding A/AAAA or CNAME records, or switch nameservers to your web hosting provider. Squarespace offers simple DNS tools; Gandi provides Anycast DNS with DNSSEC; Hostinger activates instantly.
Enable SSL (Let’s Encrypt often provisions automatically for hosted sites). Turn on WHOIS privacy where eligible and verify the record in a public RDAP/WHOIS lookup for protection.
Set up email forwarding, domain forwarding, and third‑party email/DNS
Configure email forwarding for role addresses and test delivery; Squarespace supports up to 100 forwards and Gandi gives aliases and forwarding. For third‑party mail, add MX, SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records per provider instructions.
- Add DNSSEC if available to improve security.
- Use HTTPS forwarding or web redirects for alternate names.
- Enable MFA on registrar accounts and set auto‑renew in the dashboard.
Allow time for DNS propagation, then test site, email, and redirects from multiple networks. For timely next steps after registration, see you’ve registered and run a quick availability or status check with domain availability.
Conclusion
Make the final choice based on clear pricing, bundled protections, and reliable support.
Pick a registrar that protects your brand and keeps registration costs predictable across years.
Squarespace delivers all‑in value with privacy, SSL, DNSSEC, and 24/7 support. Hostinger shines on sharp first‑year promos and fast activation, while Gandi focuses on transparency, Anycast DNS, and developer tools.
Run a quick domain name search, compare renewal totals, and confirm included email and DNS features. Secure records with SSL, DNSSEC, and MFA so your business presence stays safe.
With the right registrar, you’ll spend less time on admin and more on growing your brand on the web.
FAQ
What should I check before registering my website’s domain?
Look for WHOIS privacy, SSL/TLS options, and reliable DNS with DNSSEC. Check renewal rates and any first‑year promos to avoid surprises. Also confirm email forwarding, domain management tools, and responsive customer support so you can update records or troubleshoot quickly.
How do WHOIS privacy and SSL help protect my site?
WHOIS privacy keeps your contact details out of public lookups, reducing spam and targeted attacks. SSL/TLS encrypts visitor connections, builds trust with browsers, and is required for secure payments and SEO benefits. Together they improve security and professionalism.
Which registrars offer solid privacy and support?
Squarespace Domains, Hostinger, and Gandi each include strong protections. Squarespace often bundles WHOIS privacy and SSL with straightforward pricing. Hostinger is ICANN‑accredited with many extensions and fast activation. Gandi provides Anycast DNS, DNSSEC, and transparent renewal policies. Choose based on budget and feature needs.
What hidden fees should I watch for in pricing?
Watch for charges on WHOIS privacy, premium DNS, email forwarding, SSL renewals, and outgoing transfers. Promotional first‑year pricing can jump at renewal, so compare total cost of ownership over several years, not just the initial price.
Which extensions work best for business credibility?
.com remains the most trusted and memorable for commercial sites. .org suits nonprofits, .net fits tech projects, and .info serves resource hubs. New gTLDs like .io, .shop, or .online can support niche branding but check availability, price, and audience expectations.
When is a country code extension (ccTLD) a good choice?
Use a ccTLD like .uk or .ca when targeting local customers or signaling regional presence. They boost local SEO and trust for that market. Confirm registration rules, which can vary by country, and whether the registrar supports local requirements.
Can I get a free domain with hosting or a website builder?
Many hosts and builders include a free domain for the first year with annual plans. Read the fine print on renewals and whether WHOIS privacy, SSL, or email are included. Free domains often revert to standard renewal pricing after the promotional period.
How do I move an existing domain to a new provider?
Start unlocking the domain and obtain an authorization code from the current registrar. Initiate the transfer with the new registrar and approve any confirmation emails. Transfers can take several days and may affect DNS if not coordinated, so plan during low‑traffic hours.
What steps are needed to get a site live after registration?
Point DNS records at your host, enable SSL/TLS, and turn on WHOIS privacy. Configure email forwarding or set up third‑party email services, and test DNS propagation. Verify site functionality and security settings before promoting the site publicly.
How important is premium DNS and DNSSEC for my site?
Premium DNS offers faster resolution and higher uptime with Anycast networks. DNSSEC prevents DNS spoofing by validating responses. For business sites or high‑traffic projects, these features add resilience and reduce downtime risk.
What support should a registrar provide for small businesses?
Look for 24/7 customer support, easy domain management panels, transfer assistance, and clear WHOIS/privacy controls. Useful extras include email setup guides, SSL issuance, and documentation on DNS records to help nontechnical users manage their presence.
Are domain auctions and aftermarket purchases safe?
Secondary market purchases can secure premium domains but require due diligence. Use established marketplaces, verify transfer terms, check WHOIS history for reputation, and consider escrow services for payment to reduce fraud risk.
How do I protect my brand from domain squatters?
Register multiple relevant extensions, enable WHOIS privacy, and monitor registrations similar to your brand. Consider trademark filings and domain dispute services under UDRP if someone registers a confusing or infringing domain.
Which extensions are best for startups seeking investment or trust?
Investors often expect a .com for broad credibility, while .io is common among tech startups and developers. Choose an extension that aligns with your audience and industry expectations, then secure related variants to prevent confusion.
How long should I register a domain for optimal SEO and stability?
Register for at least one year; many businesses prefer two to five years for stability and slight SEO trust signals. Long‑term registration reduces renewal risk and shows commitment to the project.