How to buy a domain on AWS

How to Buy a Domain Name Quickly and Cheaply Using AWS Route 53

Hi guys, and welcome back! This is Darren from Darren’s Tech Tutorials.

When it comes to building a website or launching a new online project, the first step is always securing the perfect domain name. And if you’re already working within the Amazon Web Services (AWS) ecosystem, using Route 53 for domain registration is a no-brainer.

I personally love buying domains through AWS. It’s incredibly handy to manage, keeps everything under one roof, and the process is surprisingly quick and affordable.

In this comprehensive guide, we’re taking the steps directly from my latest video to show you exactly how to register your next domain in AWS Route 53.

Why Use AWS Route 53 to Buy Your Domain?

AWS Route 53 isn’t just a powerful DNS service; it’s also a highly reliable domain registrar. The key benefit is seamless integration. Once you own the domain, setting up your DNS records, pointing it to an EC2 instance, or integrating it with AWS hosting services (like S3 or Amplify) is instant and automated.

Let’s get started!

Step 1: Navigating to AWS Route 53

The first step is locating the Route 53 service within your AWS Console.

1. Log in to your Amazon Web Services management console.
2. Use the Search Bar at the top of the page.
3. Type in Route 53 and click on the service link when it appears.

Once inside the Route 53 dashboard, you will be taken to a page that manages your existing domains and hosted zones.

Step 2: Searching for Your Perfect Domain

We need to check if the domain you want is actually available.

1. In the Route 53 dashboard, look for the option labeled “Check Domain Availability” (or similar search function).
2. Enter Your Desired Domain: Carefully type the exact domain name you want to purchase. (For this example, I searched for “darrentechtutorials”).
3. Check Availability: Click the “Check” button.

Pro Tip: Make sure you have your correct spelling and desired extension (like .com, .org, or .net) entered before proceeding!

If the domain is available, you will receive confirmation. This is exactly what we want to see!

Step 3: Selecting and Preparing for Checkout

Once you confirm the domain is available, the purchase process is straightforward.

1. Click Select next to the available domain name.
2. Click Proceed to Checkout.

On the checkout page, you will see key registration options:

• Registration Period: By default, it usually selects one year.
• Auto-Renewal: I personally recommend looking at the auto-renewal option here. If you’re just testing a domain, you may want to turn auto-renewal Off immediately. If this is a long-term business domain, leaving auto-renewal On is a smart way to ensure you never accidentally lose it.
• Review Cost: Confirm the total cost for the registration period (in my video example, it was $13).

When you’re satisfied with the settings, click Next.

Step 4: Providing Contact Information and Privacy Protection

AWS requires correct contact information to register the domain with ICANN (the governing body for domain names).

1. Fill Out Contact Information: You will be prompted to fill out all required contact details, including name, address, email, and phone number.
2. Privacy Protection is Key: Most registrars, including AWS, offer a feature called “Privacy Protect” or “Whois Protection.” We highly recommend keeping this feature ON. This service hides your personal contact information from public WHOIS databases, protecting you from spam and identity exposure.
3. Click Next once all fields are correctly filled.

Step 5: Finalizing the Purchase Request

You are now at the final confirmation stage.

1. Review Details: Scroll down and review all the contact information and domain details one last time.
2. Agree to Terms and Conditions: You must agree to the AWS Domain Name Registration Terms and Conditions.
3. Click Submit.

That’s all there is to it!

What Happens After Submission?

After you click submit, your request enters the processing queue.

• You can monitor the status of your request by viewing your Requests history in the Route 53 dashboard. Initially, the status will show “In Process.”
• Domain registration typically takes anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours, depending on the registry.
• Once the domain purchase is complete, it will automatically appear in your Hosted Zones.

From there, you can immediately begin creating your necessary DNS rules—whether you are pointing it towards the IP address of a server, configuring email records, or routing traffic to an AWS service.

Buying a domain on Amazon Web Services is a seamless, painless, and integrated experience. If you’re serious about building on the cloud, Route 53 is the perfect place to start your digital journey.

If you have any questions about the process or need help setting up your DNS rules afterward, drop a comment below—I’m happy to help!

And as always, thank you for watching, and don’t forget to like this post and subscribe to Darren’s Tech Tutorials for more easy-to-follow guides!