How to Buy a Domain Name in Nigeria

In a previous article titled Important things you must do before launching your brand online , We discussed the key steps that must be taken in establishing, as well as securing the digital identity of your brand. In today’s article we’ll focus on how to buy a domain name in Nigeria. Whether you’re a startup, an established business, or an individual looking to build a personal brand, your domain name is the foundation of your online identity. In Nigeria, the process of buying a domain name has become more accessible, but it’s crucial to understand the technicalities, options, and best practices to make the right choice.

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about buying a domain name in Nigeria, from understanding what a domain name is, to the step-by-step process of purchasing and managing it. By the end of this article, you’ll have all the knowledge you need to secure the perfect domain name for your website.

What is a Domain Name and Its Function?

A domain name is the address of your website on the internet. It’s what users type into their browser to access your site, such as “google.com” or “xplicitmode.com.” Think of it as your digital street address. Without a domain name, users would have to remember complex IP addresses (e.g., 192.168.1.1) to visit your website, which is not easy or even practical, See a domain name as that identity performing a similar function to the contact name on your phone book. On your phone book you have a contact’s name as well as his or her phone number, when you want to call that contact all you need to do is look for their contact name and dial, this is similar to a domain name, a domain name is an identity that points to your website and its location on the internet, therefore the moment you type in a domain name in a browser and click on enter, the website behind that domain name is contacted.

Functions of a Domain Name:

1. Brand Identity: A domain name represents your brand and makes it easy for customers to find you online.
2. Professionalism: Having a custom domain name (e.g., yourbusinessname.com) adds credibility to your brand.
3. SEO Benefits: A well-chosen domain name can improve your search engine rankings which in turn will increase your brands visibility on search engines such as google, bing and others .
4. Email Hosting: A domain name allows you to create professional email addresses (e.g., info@yourbusinessname.com).

The Different Domain Names Based on Domain Extensions

Domain extensions, also known as top-level domains (TLDs), are the suffixes at the end of domain names (e.g., .com, .ng, .org). Here’s a breakdown of the most common types of domain names and what they represent:

General Domain names :

• .com (commercial)
• .org (organization)
• .net (network)
• .info
• .biz
• .tv

Country-Specific Domain Names:

• .ng (Nigeria)
• .com.ng (Nigeria commercial) –
• .org.ng (Nigeria organization)
• .gov.ng (Nigeria Government) – Can only be purchased by government agencies
• .edu.ng (Nigeria Tertiary institution) – Can only be purchased by tertiary institutions in Nigeria (verification required)

New Domain name extensions:

• .shop
• .blog
• .tech
• .ai
• .dev

How Domain Names Are Coined from Business or Brand Names

Your domain name should ideally reflect your business or brand name. For example, if your business is called “Nigerian Delights,” your domain name could be “nigeriandelights.com or nigeriandelights.ng.” Here are some tips for coining a domain name:

• Keep it Short and Memorable: Avoid long or complicated names. If a domain name is long, it will be difficult for people to type it into their browsers, there’s also the likelihood of wrong spellings, which will point them to a wrong website or inaccessible pages, thereby losing that customer or visitor in the process, so its essential to keep domain names as short as possible . If your business name is long E.g. Emmanuel Electronics international limited, you don’t need to register a domain as long as EmmanuelElectronicsinternationallimited.com, you can see how long and tiring it is, rather you can shorten it to something like “emmaelectronics.com”, “EEIL.ng” and other shorter options.
• Use Keywords: Incorporate relevant keywords to improve SEO.
• Avoid Numbers and Hyphens: These can be confusing and hard to remember.
• Consider Brandability: Choose a name that’s unique and aligns with your brand identity.

Long Domain Names vs Short Domain Names

When choosing a domain name, length matters. Here’s a quick comparison:

Tip: Aim for a domain name that’s concise, easy to spell, and reflects your brand.

Domain Name Research, Availability, and Purchase

Domain Availability

Before buying a domain name, you need to check its availability. Here’s how:

1. Use a Domain Name Search Tool: Platforms like GoDaddy, Namecheap, and Whogohost allow you to search for available domain names.
2. Check Social Media Handles: Ensure the name is available on social media platforms for consistency. You can use platforms such as Namechk.
3. Consider Alternatives: If your preferred name is taken, try variations or different extensions.

Compare Prices

Different domain registrars offer good prices, its in your best interest to check for the least expensive price that is been offered by a reputable registrar e,g registrars like whogohost can set .com domain names for as much as N25000 or N30,000 but when you visit platforms like namecheap you might find it cheaper using a coupon code irrespective of the exchange rate difference. In some cases since its the first year of the domain you can be granted huge price slashes in the form of a percentage discount.

Check for reviews about the registrar

Before you make your final decision in buying a domain name from a particular registrar, check their credibility online by looking out for reviews and comments by different people. Pay attention to things like technical support, Customer care, Faster processes and easy configurations so that you don’t end up having a terrible first experience. As a digital marketing agency that has been into this for long, we prefer companies that are old with long existing client base and goof reputation in contrast to new upcoming registrars.

Where to Buy Domain Names in Nigeria:

• Local Registrars: Whogohost, DomainKing, SmartWeb. Qservers, Truehost.
• International Registrars: GoDaddy, Namecheap, and Bluehost. Note that you cant buy country specific domain names such as .ng or .com.ng from these international registrars, simply because they don’t have the license to sell such domains.

Nigerian Domains vs International Domains

If your target audience is global, consider international domain extensions like .com or .net. These can be purchased from international hosting companies like GoDaddy or Namecheap.

Nigerian Domain Names

Pros of Nigerian Domains (.ng, .com.ng):

• Strengthens local SEO
• Enhances Nigerian business credibility

Cons of Nigerian Domains:

• Higher registration costs
• Some limitations on international recognition

International Domain Names

Pros of International Domains (.com, .org):

• Lower registration prices
• Global recognition
• More options for customization
• Better for SEO in some cases

Cons of International Domains:

• More competition for popular names
• May be more expensive
• Less relevant for local audiences
• Less available name options in most cases

Summarized Comparison

How to Buy a Domain Name in Nigeria – (Step-by-Step)

1. Search for Availability: Use a domain registrar’s search tool.

1. Select Your Domain: Choose the best available option.
2. Add to Cart: Proceed to checkout.
3. Create an Account: Sign up with the registrar by filling in all required information such as name of registrant, business category, contact details, login details, etc.
4. Complete Payment: Use a debit card, bank transfer, or other payment methods.
5. Confirm Ownership: Verify your email by clicking on the link that will be sent to the email address used during registration

Getting a Domain Name for Free

It is possible to get a free domain name through certain services. Some ways to obtain a free domain name include:

• Free Subdomains: Services like WordPress.com, Blogger, and Wix provide free subdomains (e.g., yourbusiness.wordpress.com).
• Promotional Offers: Some hosting companies offer free domain names with their hosting plans. You can get domains like .com.ng for free when you buy a one year hosting plan from Nigerian hosting companies such as whogohost, qservers, smartweb, truehost.
• NGO and Education Institutions: Certain organizations provide free .edu.ng or .org.ng domain registrations for NGOs and educational institutions.
• Freenom: A registrar offering free .tk, .ml, .ga, .cf, and .gq domains.

While free domains may be tempting, they often come with limitations such as lack of full ownership, branding restrictions, and lesser credibility.

After Domain Name Purchase: What Next?

1. Point Nameservers to your hosting provider. (Connect to Hosting)
2. Set Up Professional Email (e.g., info@yourdomain.com).
3. Activate SSL for Security.
4. Build Your Website: Use a website builder or hire a professional.

What Can You Do with a Domain Name?

• Build a website
• Create professional email addresses
• Redirect to social media pages
• Sell or lease the domain (domain flipping)

Domain Name Purchase Too Tedious or Technical?

If the process seems overwhelming, reach out to us here at XplicitMode, the best agency for web design and digital marketing in Abuja. We’ll handle everything for you, from domain registration to website development.

Conclusion

Purchasing a domain name is a crucial step in building a strong online presence for your business. By choosing the right domain name, selecting a reliable registrar, and setting up your domain correctly, you can establish credibility and enhance your brand’s visibility. Whether you opt for a Nigerian or international domain, understanding the registration process will help you make informed decisions. If you need professional assistance, XplicitMode is here to help you every step of the way. Our slogan remains ” Your Business, built to thrive in every season ”