Last updated on November 8th, 2023 at 11:05 am
Are you looking for the best domain registrar in South Africa?
Well, you are in the right place.
In this article, here is what you are going to learn about:
- How to pick the best domain name (tips with examples)
- How to register your domain name on Truehost South Africa (Step by step with pictures)
- Why we are the best in domain registration
With said, I assume that you have already picked a domain name because you couldn’t be looking for the best domain registration in South Africa if you hadn’t, right?
Or better yet, you are researching as you prepare to build your website in the coming days.
Table of Contents
How to pick the best domain name in South Africa
It doesn’t matter because I want to walk you through the process of picking the best website name.
And yes, it is such a big deal.
Here is the thing:
You can’t just wake up one day and pick a domain name out of nowhere. And I will show you why in a moment.
But for now, let it stick that you need to sit down and think about your website name.
Why does it matter?
Here are some of the reasons why:
- Brand visibility
Your website name is your chance to represent your brand. Here is what you don’t know, the domain name is what readers see first when they visit your blog.
For that reason, you need to build a positive first impression
- Almost impossible to change a name
It costs a huge amount of money and resources to change a website name.
If you don’t get it right at first, you don’t have a second chance of renaming it (unless you register a completely new name with the best domain registrar in South Africa).
So I guess what I am saying is, don’t rush thinking you will change later if it doesn’t fit.
- Boosts SEO efforts
If you get your domain name right, it can be a plus when the time comes to optimize the website for search engines.
There is what we call Exact Match Domains (EMD). This is when you use a keyword representing your niche on the domain name.
A niche is a topic or industry you want to serve.
For example, if you intend to build a website targeting people looking to lose weight, your website name could be something like WeightLossTips.com.
Do you get the point?
As such, when someone searches for weight loss tips, there is a higher chance of your website showing up in the SERP’s first page, thanks to that keyword on your domain name.
And now you are thinking, why isn’t everyone doing it?
Pay attention
Well, it turns out, Google does not ‘like’ such names because people started abusing it.
As a result, they made an update to their algorithm that discouraged people from using such techniques. But that doesn’t mean you can’t do it. It still works.
Now that you understand why you need to pay attention to the kind of website name you pick, here are some tips you should consider during this process.
Tips to consider when picking a website name in South Africa
Tip #1: pick a name that is easy to type
Remember, a huge percentage of your readers will have to type the website name to access your site.
Tell me this, if the name is something unheard of and hard to type, will they succeed?
I don’t think so.
Picking an easy name is #1 step to having online success. Such that your visitors won’t have to struggle when typing the name.
Tip #2: use keywords
We have talked about this and said that keywords help you rank better. For this reason, you should use keywords that describe your business in your domain name.
For example:
If you are running a plumbing business in Johannesburg, you can use PlumbingInJohannesburg.com.
That sounds better and easy to type.
Tip #3: Avoid the use of hyphens or numbers
You know, things like Domain-Name.co.za or Domain2.com.
You see, whenever people hear the name, they don’t know whether you mean a numeral (2) or two. Or, they can sometimes forget to type the hyphen and end up on a completely different website.
Do you want that to happen?
That is what I thought.
Stick to words only!
Tip #4: think about the domain extensions
Look at this example:
Truehost.africa
The first part is the domain name of one of the best domain registrar in South Africa. And the last part is the domain extension.
In fact, there are hundreds if not thousands of domain extensions you can use.
However, I suggest you stick with the most popular ones like .com, .org, .net.
Here is a tip:
If you are targeting an audience from a certain country, use country-specific extensions like .za for South Africa. Others include, .UK for the United Kingdom, .KE for Kenya and so on.
There are other domain extensions. For example, .biz, .me, .co etc.
Use these tips to brainstorm several name ideas. At least a list of five possible website names.
Why?
Domain names sell really fast.
As a result, you may find your chosen name already registered by someone else. In such cases, don’t worry because all you have to do is go back to your list and pick another name.
Once you have your list ready, here is a step by step on how to register a domain name in South Africa:
How to register a domain name in South Africa
This is a guide on how to register a website name with one of the best domain registrars in South Africa.
For this guide, I will be trying to register RegWebsiteName as my hypothetical ‘website name’ just to show you how to do it.
Step 1: Visit https://truehost.co.za on your browser
Step 2: Type in the name on the search bar as shown below. Then click Search & Register Domain Name to continue
You will be taken to a window where you can search to see if the name is available or it is already registered by someone else.
Step 3: Hit search
If the domain is taken, you will get this message.
And it means you cannot register it because it belongs to someone else now.
But if it available, you will get this message
Step 4: You can proceed with domain registration by clicking Add to cart if you want the .com extension. If not, select the preferred domain extension
Choose one based on your needs and budget.
Now, since this guide is to only show you how to register a domain name with the best domain registrar in South Africa, I won’t delve into how to add a web hosting plan. There is another guide showing you how to do that.
To continue, click add to cart.
Step 5: Click on Checkout
You will be taken to the domain configuration page. This is where you can review your domain name and even add some add-ons if you need them
Additionally, you can use custom nameservers here if you want. But by default, your domain name will use our nameservers
If you are satisfied with what you are seeing, click Continue
Step 6: review and checkout
Here, you can have a look at what’s in your cart: the website name
Choose the currency if you didn’t earlier
Use the promotion code if you have one here
Step 7: Billing details
This is where you create an account if you don’t have one already. Provide your valid names, phone number, and a valid email address.
Remember to use your primary email address. Because we will use it to send details about the domain name after a successful registration
And provide your valid billing address.
Create a strong and hard to guess password. Better yet, click on Generate to get the safest password.
Step 8: domain registration information
What information would you want to be shown when you register the domain name?
You can choose to use what you have already provided above. Or provide an alternative. Use the box below to do that.
Step 9: Payment method
This is where you select your preferred mode of payment. We have two methods: Bank cards and PayPal.
Step 10: Join our email list
Consider joining our email list by turning on the button. Here, we share exclusive content and deals you can’t find anywhere else. And don’t worry, you can unsubscribe any time.
Step 11: Additional notes
Do you have any other information you’d like to be included in your order? Well, go ahead and enter them here
Final step
Step 12: Checkout
See your order summary here (top right corner of your screen).
And click Checkout.
On the next page, you will be guided on how to complete the payment of your domain name in South Africa.
Know this:
The instructions you get are based on the payment method you chose earlier. Complete the process and check your email (one used to open the account) for registration details as well as the payment receipt.
Why is Truehost the best domain registrar in South Africa?
Well, to brag but, we are actually the best. Just look at some of the benefits you get:
- If you already got a domain name, you can transfer it for FREE to us
- One of the best and exclusive domain prices in South Africa
- A safe and secure system where you even get a 2FA to keep hackers away
- You get a special discount when you buy domain names in bulk
- A team of experts in standby waiting to help you 24/7
These and much more are why we are the best domain registrar in South Africa.
Moving on, earlier, I had promised to reveal how to get a free domain name in South Africa.
Well, it is time.
How to get a free domain name in South Africa
If you are looking for free domains in South Africa, there is only one way you can get it.
And that is to purchase a web hosting package.
Yes.
We are that good.
Besides offering the cheapest web hosting packages in South Africa, you also get a free .co.za domain name with every package you buy.
As if that is not enough, if you purchase a hosting package and you don’t like it, don’t fret. Why?
Because we offer a 30-day money-back guarantee.
You also get things like free SSL which is crucial nowadays, thanks to Google’s algorithm update favoring secure sites on the search results pages.
Final thoughts on domain registration in South Africa
Registering a website in South Africa can’t get better than this.
Imagine enjoying one of the best domain registrar companies in South Africa. A seamless process with no headaches.
And on top of that, cheapest domain prices you cannot find anywhere else.
What are you waiting for?
Read also:
