How much does a domain name cost?

Most common domains (.com, .io, .co) cost $8–$15 per year for the first year, then renew at similar prices. Promotional pricing can drop first-year costs to $2–$5. Specialty TLDs like .ai cost more ($50–$80/year). The biggest cost difference is renewal pricing — some registrars like GoDaddy hide massive renewal increases, while Namecheap keeps prices consistent year to year.

Can I buy a domain without a website?

Absolutely. A domain is just your online address — you can own it without having a website. Many people register their domain first, then build their website later. You can point the domain to your website builder (Lovable, Shopify, etc.) whenever you're ready, or simply set up email forwarding to use your domain email address while you build.

What's the difference between registering and hosting?

Registering means buying the domain name itself (.com, .io, etc.). Hosting means renting server space to store your website files. They're separate services — you can register at Namecheap and host with a different provider like Shopify or Lovable. Most people buy domain registration and hosting separately because you get better pricing and flexibility that way.

How long does domain registration take?

Domain registration is instant. You pay, and the domain is yours immediately. However, it can take 24–48 hours for DNS changes to propagate globally, so your website may not be fully accessible during this period. For email setup, allow 30 minutes to a few hours for changes to take effect.

Can I change my domain after I buy it?

Not directly. A domain is permanent once registered. However, you can buy a new domain anytime and redirect the old one to it, or run both domains pointing to the same website. You can also transfer your domain to a different registrar for $9–$12, though there's no benefit to doing so unless you want to switch providers. It's better to get the domain right the first time.

What should I do with my domain while I'm building my website?

Set up email forwarding to start using your domain email address immediately (e.g., hello@yourbrand.com). Point your domain's DNS to your website builder (Lovable, Shopify) when you're ready. You can also set up a simple landing page using your registrar's website builder or Carrd while you build the full site. Don't leave your domain sitting idle — claim your email address and social handles now.