If you're trying to start a new blog or create a new website, you'll need to register a domain name—the name of your website. Registering a domain name is easy, and you can do so through web registrars like Google Domains.

Accredited by ICANN, Google Domains supports domain registration, DNS hosting, domain forwarding, easy integration with top website builders, and more.

However, why choose Google Domains over other services? Before we discuss the pros and cons of using Google Domains, here’s a look at the steps to buy a domain using Google Domains.

How to Buy a Google Domain

If you live in a country where Google Domain is available, here are the steps you should follow to buy a Google Domain:

  1. Go to Google Domains and search for a domain name you'd like to purchase.
    searching a google domain name
  2. If it's available, you can select Add to Cart.
  3. Some domains like “.US” and “.CA” might require you to provide additional information. You can click Enter Info to do what is necessary.
  4. Next, you've to select a privacy option. You can decide to keep all your personal information private with Google Domains.
  5. By default, the registration period for Google Domains is one year, and it opts you into auto-renew. You can decide to opt out.
  6. You can also add custom email and all the advantages of Google Workspace for an additional fee.
  7. Once you've made the call, you must click Checkout at the bottom of your cart.
    a view of Google Domain cart at checkout
    no attribution required - gargi's screenshot
  8. Next, you can enter or edit your contact information.
  9. Select your payment method, click Buy, and you're good to go.

Now that you know how to buy a Google Domain, let's take a look at the most commonly asked questions.

How to Verify a Google Domain

While buying a Google Domain name may seem like the last step, it is not. You must verify your Google Domain registration. You must do so within 15 days, or else your domain would become inactive.

After you buy a Google domain, you'll get an email from Google domain to verify your email address. Once you open the email, click Verify Email Now, and you'd be all set.

Does Google Domains Offer Privacy Protection?

As mentioned already, Google Domains offers privacy protection to those who want to keep their contact details private. While personal details are public by default on WHOIS directory, you can choose to keep some or all of your information private at no additional cost.

Related: The Best Tips to Choose the Best Domain Registrar

To check whether privacy protection is available for your domain ending, you should go to domain ending (TLD) reference. Here, you should choose the domain extension you've got.

Then, go to the DNS reference section, and select the option that says Allows WHOIS Privacy to see if your domain ending has privacy protection.

If you want to turn your privacy settings on or off at a later date, you can click on Registration settings and do so easily.

Can You Sell a Google Domain?

The answer is yes. If you own a Google domain you no longer need, you can always sell it as a premium domain. A premium domain name is one that the owner of the domain offers to sell or to let someone else use at a premium price.

Can You Transfer Domains?

Google Domains lets you transfer domains easily. Before you can transfer a Google Domains, you must prepare it for transfer by unlocking the domain and getting an authorization code from the owner of the domain.

Follow these steps to transfer a domain into Google Domains:

transferring a domain into google domain
  1. You must start by signing in to the Google Domain account you'd like to transfer the domain to.
  2. Click on Transfer and enter the domain name and press Enter.
  3. If the result shows that the domain is locked or the owner's email is a private registrant email, you've to unlock the domain and click on Refresh.
  4. There'll be a Prepare Domain section, where you must enter the authorization code, if you've not already.
  5. Next, you should choose if Google Domains should detect and import your current web settings. Google recommends that you select Copy and let Google manage my DNS settings. To add, review, edit the records that Google Domain will have access to, you can change the settings in view resource records.
  6. Once that's done, you can click on proceed to checkout. You must enter your contact information and decide the privacy policy settings under Configure Registration Settings.

Pros of Using Google Domains

1. Access to a Familiar Interface with Single Sign-On

Just like any other Google service, you can use your existing Google account to register a domain name. You're in a position to pick up the interface really fast, as it's similar to the services you've been using.

2. Free Privacy Protection

When you register a domain name, your information is available in the WHOIS directory by default. However, when you select Google domains, you have the option to hide your personal details. Google Domains gives you access to privacy protection for no additional cost.

3. Faster Lookups

Google Domains works through Google Cloud DNS. It's free to use, and its ultrafast servers are backed by Google infrastructure.

4. Simple Management of Your Domains

With simple management tools, Google Domains helps you in configuring TTL, domain locking, adding and managing name servers, in addition to managing resource records like A, AAAA, CAA, CNAME, TXT, and more.

You can also use Google Synthetic Records for Google Workspace Setup, Dynamic DNS hosting, and subdomain forwarding.

Cons of Using Google Domains

1. Cheaper Alternatives Are Available

While Google Domains has a transparent and competitive pricing, you'll find several alternatives that charge less than Google Domains.

Related: The Best Google Domain Alternatives for Domain Registration

2. Fewer Smaller Extensions

While this might not strike as relevant to most people, Google Domains supports 100+ smaller extensions. That is a good number, but other domain registration services offer even more.

Choosing the Right Domain Name Is Important

Your domain name can have a considerable impact on your online presence, hence deciding the appropriate domain name is important. What's equally indispensable is selecting the appropriate domain registrar.

When you decide to buy or transfer a domain name with Google Domains, you choose to operate within Google's reliable infrastructure that gives you faster lookups, added security using two-factor authentication, and a well-designed interface.

Always be mindful to choose one that has transparent pricing with not too high renewal costs after the first year of registration.