After you dream up your .CA domain name and search to see if it’s available, you’ve got to choose from a longish list of possible domain registrars. And sure, in your newfound .CA excitement, you might be tempted to pick randomly, but take a breath and know that the registrar you end up choosing matters!
Registrars, FYI, are the folks who sell domain names—there are hundreds of registrars out there and they come in a few different flavours.
So, does it matter which one you pick? You bet your sweet poutine it does! But fear not—we’ll show you how to cut through the noise and choose the best domain name registrar!
How to choose the best domain name registrar
Here are five key things to consider before you commit:
1. What kinds of reviews do they get?
You wouldn’t go to a new restaurant without first consulting a few reviews…so take that same approach to your registrar. Shopping around and checking out customer reviews should help give you an idea of the level of service and support that the registrar provides and how they respond if something goes sideways.
2. How straightforward is their pricing?
Registering a .CA domain is—in general—quite affordable. As in, $10 to $20 in loonies per year! Just be sure to get a full understanding of your chosen registrar’s pricing model before you commit. For instance, registrars will sometimes offer a discount for the first year of registration but then the domain renews at a different rate the following years. Make sure you understand all the costs associated with the domain before purchasing.
Likewise, pay attention to what your registrar charges to transfer domains. After 60 days, you’re able to transfer your domain to another registrar. Thing is—some registrars will charge a hefty transfer fee to discourage you from leaving. So, keep that in mind when choosing a registrar if there’s a chance you may want to transfer your domain in the future.
3. What’s their policy for when your domain expires?
Things happen and folks sometimes forget to renew their domain registration. We’re not here to judge! And usually, it’s not a big issue and easily fixable.
Still, it’s always good to know what kind of policy (or grace period) your registrar has in place when it comes to lapsed registrations. You don’t want to end up paying a large fee or risk losing your domain name altogether!
4. What kinds of add-on services do they offer?
Depending on your registrar, they may bundle in other useful services, like web hosting, a website builder (like Wix or WordPress), custom email addresses and more. If you’re trying to get your business up and running with minimal fuss, having all your essential services in one place can be a major plus.
5. Are they CIRA-certified?
To give you greater peace-of-mind when it comes to making the decision, check out our list of CIRA-certified registrars, complete with their contact information.
Once you’ve chosen the best domain name registrar, get your .CA online!
We hope we’ve provided a good launching pad to catapult you forward into .CA domain greatness. Use our search tool below to find an available .CA domain and select a registrar.
Find an available .CA today!
Once you’ve picked a good domain name registrar that works for you, consider creating a custom .CA email address to take your online brand to the next level, or build your own website!
Kira is the Content and Channel Marketing Lead at CIRA. She focuses on content, digital marketing and channel strategies to help Canadian business owners make the right domain choice for their business website so they can find success online.
