Where should you buy your domain name from?

[notthatamanda]

It's on my list to create a website this year.   I know it can be set up as notthatamanda.com or notthatamanda.net and have it direct to my wordpress page.  Whether not I can actually accomplish that, 50/50 shot, but first things first.
Does anyone have a recommendation for how to get that domain.  I only know Godaddy, a lot of other ones pop up, but I have no idea who is reputable or not.
Thanks for the help.
Amanda

[Post-Doctorate D]

I have used (and still use) GoDaddy, Hover, NameCheap and Network Solutions.  All have been fine.  Network Solutions is the most expensive of them but also the oldest.

Also, as a matter of a disclaimer, I am also a reseller.

[Chrissy]

If price and free privacy protection is important check out namesilo.com

[Tom Wood]

I use GoDaddy to buy the domain name, then host the site elsewhere. It's the conventional wisdom to keep those two functions at separate companies in case you get into a dispute with your hosting company. With wordpress dot com, an insolvable dispute is less likely but you may want to preserve the opportunity to quickly change hosts and re-direct the domain name.

Both GoDaddy and wordpress dot com make it very easy to re-direct with a simple change of the nameservers - usually two entries called NS1 and NS2. Both provide how-to instructions. It looks like the cheapest plan at wordpress dot com that offers domain mapping is the 'Personal' plan at $5 a month.

GoDaddy has a habit of offering fairly low annual domain registration for multiple years when you first register, but the annual renewals later are pricey. So if you're sure you want the name for a while, it may be worth paying for 5 years at once up front if they offer a multiple-year discount upon initial registration.

[dgcasey]

I know it can be set up as notthatamanda.com or notthatamanda.net and have it direct to my wordpress page.  Whether not I can actually accomplish that, 50/50 shot, but first things first.

It's not hard to do that. After you set up the domain (I use Godaddy) look for the option to Forward. Put the actual website address in the box and you're set. Usually only takes a few minutes to a couple of hours for the forward to start working.

[LilyBLily]

I bought .net and .us  as well and redirected them. I honestly don't think anyone uses them. People are much more likely to find my website by searching for my name.

[RPatton]

I use Google domains.

[APP]

I buy it from namecheap, but then I host it on siteground.

[Vijaya]

Godaddy for domain name. It points to the blog (on Blogger).

[AnnaBF]

Google Domains. $12 US. $17 Cdn. Includes privacy protection in the price. You can then point it to your website. No need to transfer when you switch websites. And unlike places like Godaddy, the price doesn't double or triple after the first year.

[Bill Hiatt]

I've used GoDaddy more often than not for domain registration (but got stung by their hosting and haven't used them since for that).

There are several reputable domain registrars. If you do have a problem with one, it is possible to transfer your domain registration to someone else, which I've done on a couple of occasions. In other words, you don't have to be married to the registrar who first registers the domain. If a problem develops, you can move to someone else.

[CoraBuhlert]

I use joker.com, a Swiss company, and I'm very satisfied with them. The prices are reasonable and don't randomly rise after several years, they offer redirects, etc...

[shadcallister]

Another rec for Google Domains, they are cheap and simple and professional, won't bother you with endless marketing and upsells, and they have good privacy without having to pay through the nose for it.

[Kyra Halland]

I also use Google domains. Cheap, simple, professional, private, and not spammy.