Would you like to create Web3 domains but don’t know where to start? If you have never travelled in the crypto world beyond the walls of an exchange, it’s time for take off. Here you will find all the essentials: how to buy a Web3 domain, how to set up the crypto wallet to which you want to associate it, and how to mint it on the blockchain so that it is forever yours. Just like when you pack your bags, however, there are a few things you should never forget to travel peacefully. On this journey, passwords and private keys are like your boarding pass and ID: always keep them close.
The main Web3 registrars
Platforms for creating and exchanging crypto domains are called Web3 registrars, and constitute both the primary and secondary market for these domains. The most popular examples are Unstoppable Domains, Ethereum Name Service and Freename. The secondary market, i.e. where buying and selling takes place once the site has already been created, can also be found on Opensea and other NFT marketplaces.
Each registrar has developed different functionalities to facilitate access to Web3. The choice of platform naturally depends on how you will use the domain: to resell it, to use it as a digital identity to build a decentralised site, and so on. Each service, in fact, is usually compatible with different blockchains and allows access to different applications.
Creating Web3 domains: how to choose a name?
You can choose from a different variety of top-level domains (TLDs) depending on the registrar: .crypto, .nft, .eth, .web3🚀 and so on. There is also the possibility of creating a new original TLD with Freename.
Then think about the name you want to give your domain (the part before the TLD) but be careful to use only characters of the Latin alphabet, including numbers, and avoid spaces.
If you’re having a hard time deciding, here are some tips to follow in order to choose your domain name, and thus the corresponding NFT, wisely:
- Simple is good: the name must be easy to remember and write, both for you and for others.
- The most queried: consulting the search volumes of your chosen name can give you an indication of the most convenient choice to make in SEO terms, but also to assess the possible demand for it on the market.
- Consistency helps: using names or nicknames that you already use in social networks or Web2 apps may facilitate the transition of your contacts and profiles to Web3.
- Find the right size for you: create the Non-Fungible Token for your domain based also on the cost you are willing to pay. Usually the shortest and simplest names are the most popular, so try adding a few characters if you want to lower the price.
- Tell me who you are and I will tell you your TLD: the functionality from one TLD to another does not change, but each one is often used for different purposes. ‘.nft’ is popular with artists and collectors, .wallet is great for those who want to use a domain just for custody and payments, while .x is simple and sophisticated.
- There is no such thing as the perfect domain: if you can’t make up your mind, be practical – using the domain is more important than its name.
Once you have found the name, TLD and price that suits you, add it to your shopping cart. If you want to buy more than one you can do so, then choose a payment method, usually both crypto and fiat payments are available. The next step in creating Web3 domains is to prepare the wallet to associate them with.
Create your own crypto wallet for the Web3
Crypto wallets not only store tokens and coins, but also Non Fungible Tokens and Web3 domains.
The choice to be made even before the wallet, however, is that of the blockchain on which you will primarily operate, since not all custody services, tokens and applications are compatible with each other.
For example, if you are interested in an NFT that is only available at a marketplace on Tezos, you will need to make sure that you have XTZ to pay for it, that you have a wallet that supports tokens developed on Tezos, and that you can then transfer them to the decentralised applications where you want to use them.
In general, to participate in DeFi and Web3, the most convenient option is a non-custodial wallet. Metamask is the example we’ll use – it’s a web and mobile wallet that can connect to almost any decentralised application. If you want to buy NFTs on Opensea or newly launched tokens on Uniswap, this is the most widely used solution as it is compatible with many Dapps and networks.
We have explained in the Metamask article how to create your own wallet, but here are the main steps:
- Go to https://metamask.io/download/
- Click on ‘Install MetaMask for (browser)’.
- Click on ‘Add to (browser)’.
- After installation, a new tab should open automatically. If it does not, go to the list of extensions and click on MetaMask.
- Click on ‘Create a Wallet.
- Click on ‘Accept’.
- Set a password, check the box to accept the Terms of Use and click ‘Create’.
- Click ‘Next’ and then ‘Click here to reveal the secret words’.
- Write the secret phrase (seed phrase) on paper now and keep it in a safe place. Click ‘Next’.
- Select the words of the secret phrase in the correct order and click ‘Confirm’.
Creating Web3 domains: minting on blockchain
Now that you have your domain name and a self-custody wallet, the next step is to create a Non-Fungible Token to connect them and make them one.
Minting is the process of registering your domain on the blockchain. Think of it simply as buying a house: once the deed is signed, the house is taken off the market, no one else can buy it anymore. When you receive the keys, the house is officially yours: Minting is like receiving the keys to your new home. You unlock all the superpowers of your domain and get full custody of it.
How to do this? Minting is usually facilitated by the registrar on which you purchased the domain, so you can proceed from your personal area to manage it.
From here, you only need to associate the domain with the address of one of your wallets to register your new purchase on blockchain.
Did you enjoy creating Web3 domains? Now you can use them as you wish, depending on the features offered by the registrar. Here you will find those of Unstoppable Domains, for example.
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