A domain registrar is where you buy and manage domain names like yournewsletter.com. The right registrar makes it easy to set up your custom sending domain, configure DNS records, and keep your domain secure.
The most important factor? If you already have an account with a registrar and it's working fine, there's usually no compelling reason to switch. The differences between reputable registrars are marginal, and the hassle of transferring domains rarely justifies the savings.
When comparing registrars, you'll want to consider:
- Pricing transparency: Some registrars offer low first-year prices but charge significantly more on renewal. Look for consistent pricing.
- Included features: WHOIS privacy (hiding your personal info from public records), DNS hosting, and email forwarding are often sold separately, but many registrars include them for free.
- Transfer policies: Make sure you can easily transfer your domain to another registrar if needed.
- Price shopping by TLD: Prices vary wildly across different domain extensions. One registrar might be cheapest for
.com but expensive for .io. If you're buying multiple domains with different extensions, compare prices for each specific TLD.
Most registrars charge around $10-15/year for a .com domain. The main differences come down to what's included, how easy the interface is to use, and whether they try to upsell you on unnecessary add-ons.
Any other noteworthy alternatives?
- AWS Route 53 is solid if you're already in the AWS ecosystem and want tight integration with other AWS services.
- DNSimple is developer-focused with excellent API support and DNS management features.
- Epik offers competitive pricing and has a loyal following among domain investors.
- GoDaddy is one of the largest registrars, but we'd recommend avoiding them. They're notorious for aggressive upselling, confusing pricing, and dark patterns designed to trick you into buying things you don't need. Their renewal prices are often significantly higher than competitors, and their interface is cluttered with ads for add-on services.
Why does this matter for newsletter authors?
If you're running a newsletter on Buttondown, you'll likely want to set up a custom sending domain to improve deliverability and brand recognition. Your domain registrar is where you'll add the DNS records (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) that make this work. A registrar with a clean interface and free DNS hosting makes this process much simpler.
Gee, it sure is awfully nice of you to compile this resource and keep it up to date. What can I ever do to thank you?
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