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How to Buy a Domain on GoDaddy

GoDaddy is a common choice for registering domains quickly. For branded short links (like Snipzr), success usually comes from doing a few basics well:

  • choose a domain that’s easy to read and share,
  • avoid checkout surprises,
  • enable auto-renew,
  • secure the account,
  • set up DNS in a simple, maintainable way.

This guide is designed to be easy to follow without glossing over important details.

Before you start (2 minutes)​

You’ll typically use either:

  • Subdomain (simplest): go.yourbrand.com
  • Apex / root (shortest links): yourbrand.com

If you want the shortest possible links at the apex (yourbrand.com/abc), you’ll often benefit from CNAME flattening (a DNS feature many providers implement). Standard DNS has constraints around CNAME behavior (see RFC 1034).
Reference: https://datatracker.ietf.org/doc/html/rfc1034

tip

You can keep the domain registered at GoDaddy and still use Cloudflare for DNS. When you change nameservers, the place you manage DNS changes too. https://www.godaddy.com/help/edit-my-domain-nameservers-664

Step-by-step: Buy the domain on GoDaddy​

1) Search for your domain​

Go to GoDaddy’s domain search and enter the name you want:
https://www.godaddy.com/domains

GoDaddy’s overview of the buying flow (search → add to cart → choose term → checkout):
https://www.godaddy.com/resources/skills/how-to-buy-a-domain-name

2) Add it to your cart​

If it’s available, add it to your cart.

3) Choose the registration term​

Pick how many years you want to register. For brands, longer terms can reduce admin, but auto-renew + account security matters more than term length.

4) Review checkout extras carefully​

During checkout, GoDaddy may offer add-ons (email, site tools, etc.). For most short-link domains, you usually only need:

  • the domain itself,
  • privacy (if you want it and the TLD supports it),
  • auto-renew (recommended).

Domain Privacy at GoDaddy (simple explanation)​

GoDaddy’s Domain Privacy replaces your personal contact details with substitute details from its privacy partner Domains By Proxy® (where eligible):
https://www.godaddy.com/help/what-is-domain-privacy-41145

Privacy levels GoDaddy describes:

  • On: hides contact info and replaces it with privacy service details
  • Limited: may still show organization/state/country
  • Off: contact info is public
caution

Not all TLDs allow privacy the same way. If privacy is important, confirm what your chosen TLD supports before you finalize purchase.

After purchase (do these right away)​

GoDaddy’s steps to enable auto-renew:
https://www.godaddy.com/help/turn-on-auto-renew-20007

tip

Auto-renew only works if your payment method stays valid and your GoDaddy account email remains accessible. For teams, use a shared alias like domains@company.com.

2) Keep your domain locked unless you’re transferring it​

GoDaddy’s lock/unlock instructions (domain transfer protection):
https://www.godaddy.com/de-de/help/unlock-or-lock-my-domain-410?lc=en-US

DNS setup for Snipzr (two easy paths)​

You can manage DNS either at GoDaddy or by migrating DNS to Cloudflare.

Option A: Keep DNS at GoDaddy (simple “one place” setup)​

If your domain is using GoDaddy nameservers, you’ll manage DNS records inside GoDaddy:
https://www.godaddy.com/help/manage-dns-records-680

This works well for subdomain short-link setups (e.g., go.yourbrand.com) where Snipzr typically asks you to add a CNAME record.

This is optional, but often beneficial for branded short links.

Why migrate DNS to Cloudflare? (practical advantages)​

  1. Anycast network resiliency Cloudflare explains how Anycast routing improves resilience and can help with congestion and DDoS scenarios:
    https://www.cloudflare.com/learning/cdn/glossary/anycast-network/

  2. CNAME flattening (useful for apex/root short-link domains) Cloudflare documents CNAME flattening and how it allows a CNAME at the zone apex:
    https://developers.cloudflare.com/dns/cname-flattening/
    Cloudflare also explains creating apex records and how flattening removes the need for ALIAS/ANAME workarounds:
    https://developers.cloudflare.com/dns/manage-dns-records/how-to/create-zone-apex/

  3. Clear, modern DNS workflow Cloudflare’s full DNS setup guide:
    https://developers.cloudflare.com/dns/zone-setups/full-setup/setup/

Step-by-step: Change GoDaddy nameservers to Cloudflare​

  1. Add your domain to Cloudflare Follow Cloudflare’s full setup and copy the two nameservers Cloudflare assigns:
    https://developers.cloudflare.com/dns/zone-setups/full-setup/setup/

  2. Update nameservers in GoDaddy GoDaddy’s official steps to edit nameservers:
    https://www.godaddy.com/help/edit-my-domain-nameservers-664

GoDaddy notes most DNS updates take effect within an hour, but could take up to 48 hours globally.

  1. Recreate/confirm DNS records in Cloudflare If you had existing email or verification records (MX/TXT), make sure they exist in Cloudflare before/after switching.
caution

Nameserver changes move DNS authority. If email is in use on the domain, confirm MX/TXT records in Cloudflare to avoid mail outages. GoDaddy: https://www.godaddy.com/help/edit-my-domain-nameservers-664

Next​

Continue to the setup guide: