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How to Buy a Domain on Namecheap

Namecheap is a popular registrar for buying domains quickly, and it works well for branded short links (like Snipzr). This guide keeps things simple while covering the few details that prevent the most common “why isn’t my domain working?” issues later.

Before you start (2 minutes)​

Most brands choose one of these:

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

If you want to use the apex (yourbrand.com) with a Shortlink SaaS, you’ll need “CNAME-like” behavior at the root (because a standard CNAME at the apex is constrained by DNS rules).

Good news: Namecheap supports an ALIAS record (also known as ANAME) that can be used at Host = @ to point your root domain to a hostname target. Namecheap explains that ALIAS resolves the hostname to the correct A/AAAA records at request time (this is effectively “CNAME flattening” behavior).

Use an email address you’ll actually monitor​

After purchase, you may need to verify domain contact details (common for many gTLDs). If you miss the verification email, the domain can be suspended until verified.

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

1) Search for the domain​

Go to Namecheap’s domain search, enter your domain idea, and check availability:

2) Add it to cart and review options​

During configuration/checkout, you’ll typically see options like:

  • Domain Privacy (WHOIS privacy)
  • Auto-renew
  • PremiumDNS (optional add-on)

For most branded short-link domains:

  • Domain Privacy: recommended (when eligible)
  • Auto-renew: recommended
  • PremiumDNS: optional (BasicDNS is usually fine unless you specifically want PremiumDNS features)

Namecheap’s official “How to register a domain name” guide walks through the flow:

Domain Privacy (WHOIS privacy) on Namecheap​

Namecheap offers Domain Privacy (privacy protection for WHOIS) for free on eligible TLDs. You’ll see it in checkout and can manage it later from your account.

caution

Some TLDs have different rules around privacy. If privacy matters for your use case, confirm that your chosen TLD is eligible before you check out.

After purchase: do these 3 quick safety steps​

1) Verify your contact email (don’t skip this)​

For many gTLDs, you must verify registrant contact details within a set window or the domain can be suspended until verified:

ICANN background on contact verification:

This reduces the risk of losing a branded domain. A simple way is via Domain List → the Auto-Renew toggle/column in your Namecheap account:

Namecheap also emails renewal reminders ahead of expiration:

3) Enable 2FA and keep Registrar Lock on​

DNS setup for Snipzr (two easy paths)​

You can keep DNS at Namecheap (including apex/root via ALIAS) or (optionally) move DNS hosting to Cloudflare.

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

If your domain is on Namecheap BasicDNS/PremiumDNS, you can add records in: Domain List → Manage → Advanced DNS → Host Records

To create a CNAME record (common for shortlink subdomains like go.yourbrand.com):

tip

If Snipzr asks you to connect go.yourbrand.com, you’ll usually add a CNAME for host go pointing to the target Snipzr provides.

If you want the shortest branded short links like yourbrand.com/abc and Snipzr gives you a hostname target (CNAME-style), you can use Namecheap ALIAS at the apex:

  1. Go to Domain List → Manage → Advanced DNS → Host Records
  2. Click Add New Record
  3. Select ALIAS Record
  4. Set:
    • Host: @ (your bare domain)
    • Value: the hostname target Snipzr provides
  5. Save changes

Namecheap notes ALIAS:

Namecheap also mentions ALIAS TTL options (1 or 5 minutes) and advises waiting for changes to be accepted globally.

Optional: Move DNS to Cloudflare (nice-to-have, not required for apex on Namecheap)​

Since Namecheap supports ALIAS at @, you don’t need to move DNS just to get apex “CNAME flattening” behavior.

You might still choose Cloudflare DNS for other advantages (tooling/ecosystem, Anycast characteristics, broader DNS features), especially if you already manage other domains on Cloudflare.

Why migrate DNS hosting to Cloudflare? (practical advantages)​

  1. Anycast resilience & performance characteristics
    Cloudflare explains how Anycast routing improves resiliency under congestion and high traffic:
  1. CNAME flattening for apex/root domains (Cloudflare’s approach; optional if you prefer Cloudflare) Cloudflare’s docs explain that CNAME flattening allows a CNAME at the zone apex and can speed up CNAME resolution:
  1. Clean DNS workflow (authoritative DNS on Cloudflare)
    Cloudflare “Full setup” (nameserver change) overview:

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

  1. Add your domain to Cloudflare Follow Cloudflare’s full setup guide, then copy the two Cloudflare nameservers shown in the dashboard:
  1. In Namecheap, set Nameservers to “Custom DNS” Namecheap’s nameserver-change instructions:
  1. Wait for propagation Nameserver changes can take 24–48 hours globally:
  1. Manage DNS records in Cloudflare (not Namecheap) Once you use third-party nameservers, Namecheap indicates DNS records must be managed at the active DNS provider:
caution

If you use email on this domain (Google Workspace / Microsoft 365 / etc.), make sure your MX/TXT records exist in Cloudflare before/after the switch to avoid mail issues.

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