One of the first things you should do once you’ve decided to start a business is buy your domain. Your domain is the www address where visitors can find you online. We recommend two different sites to buy your domain: Google and GoDaddy. Once you’ve decided what your business name will be, snag that domain by following the steps below!

Buying Your Domain on Google

1. Open your web browser and go to the Google Domains website (domains.google).
2. Use the search box on the homepage to enter the domain name you want to purchase. Google will show you the available domain extensions (e.g., .com, .net, .org) for that name.
3. Review the list of available domain names and extensions. Google Domains will display the prices for each option. It should be around $10-20/year.
4. Select the domain name and extension you want to buy by clicking the "Add to cart" button next to it.
   

5. Leave privacy protection and auto renew on!

6. If you want to purchase additional services, such as a professional email address, you can add them to your cart as well. We recommend getting the business starter for $7/mo to get started. If you do purchase an email, before moving on to the next page, fill out the name you’d like your email to have like hello@domain.com or jane@domain.com 

7. Review the items in your cart to ensure everything is correct. You can make changes or remove items if needed.

8. If you're ready to proceed, click the "Checkout" button.

9. Sign in to your Google account. If you don't have one, you'll be prompted to create an account.

10. Enter your contact information, including your name, address, email, and phone number. This information is required for domain registration.

11. Enter your payment details, including card number, expiration date, and security code.

12. Review your order details and click the "Place order" button to complete the purchase.

13. After the purchase is complete, you'll receive an email confirmation with instructions on how to manage and set up your domain.

And that’s it! You are now the brand new owner of your first Google domain.

How to Buy A Domain on Godaddy

1. Go to the GoDaddy website: Visit the GoDaddy homepage at www.godaddy.com.
2. Search for your desired domain: In the search bar on the homepage, enter the domain name you want to purchase. GoDaddy will check if the domain is available. If it's taken, you can try a different name or choose from the suggestions provided.

3. Select your domain: Once you find an available domain name you like, click on it to select it. Click on "make it yours" and then "continue". Your domain should cost .01 cents to $20/year.

4. Review domain options: On the domain details page, you will see various options related to your domain. Review the information, such as the price, domain extension, and any additional features or services you may want to add. We recommend that you opt for free privacy protection and if you'd like to add an email, you can just get started with the email essentials for $2/mo.

**IMPORTANT TO NOTE: Godaddy email is through Outlook. If you prefer GMail, do not purchase an email through Godaddy and instead purchase it through Google and then you can connect your Godaddy domain to your GMail through DNS later.

5. Add to cart: Click on the "Continue to Cart" button to add the domain to your shopping cart.

6. Review your order: On the shopping cart page, review your order details to ensure everything is correct. Godaddy automatically selects one year for email and 5 years for the domain. You can change these to whatever you prefer! We personally opt for one year of domain and 12 months of email (if you purchase email).

7. Proceed to checkout: If everything looks good, click on the "Proceed to Checkout" button to proceed with the purchase.

8. Complete the purchase: Follow the instructions to enter your payment information, billing address, and any other required details to complete the purchase.

And that’s it! You are now the brand new owner of your first Godaddy domain.

It's worth noting that while these two are popular domain registrars, there are other great domain registrars available as well. You can compare prices and features across different registrars to make the decision that works best for you but these are our two recommendations!