How to Purchase a Domain in Azure: A Step-by-Step Guide

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How to Purchase a Domain in Azure: A Step-by-Step Guide

Purchasing a domain in Azure is a straightforward process that allows you to create a custom web address for your applications. Whether you're setting up a personal blog, a business website, or an app, Azure makes it easy to manage your domains. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you get started.

Step 1: Prerequisites

Before you begin, ensure you have the following:

• An Azure subscription with a paid tier (App Service domains aren't supported on free trial or credit-based subscriptions).
• An existing App Service app or create a new one in an Azure Public region. To learn more about creating a new App Service app, please visit: Deploying a Web App on Azure App Service | Microsoft Community Hub
• ⚠️ Important: You cannot proceed with purchasing a domain through the App Service experience without first creating or selecting an existing App Service app.

Step 2: Navigate to Custom Domains

1. Log in to the Azure Portal: Go to portal.azure.com and sign in with your Azure account and click on "App Services." Please note: If you do not see App Services you may need to search for it in the search bar.

    

   
2. Select Your App Service: Navigate to the App Service app you want to associate with your domain.
3. Custom Domains: Under "Settings", you will see the "Custom Domains" option. Click on it to manage your custom domains.

    

Step 3: Purchase a Domain

1. Buy App Service Domain: Click on "Buy App Service domain."
   
2. Configure Domain Settings:
   • • Subscription: Choose the subscription to use for purchasing the domain.
     • Resource Group: Select the resource group where the domain will be placed.
     • Domain Name: Enter the domain name you want (e.g., contoso.com). If your desired domain isn't available, Azure will suggest alternatives.
3.  Contact Information: Provide accurate contact information as required by ICANN for domain registration. Ensure you have access to the email address provided.
4.  Hostname Assignment: Verify the default hostnames to map to your app, such as the root domain (e.g., contoso.com) and the 'www' subdomain (e.g., www.contoso.com).

Step 4: Complete the Purchase

1. Review and Purchase: Review your settings and click "Buy" to complete the purchase.
2. Confirmation: You will receive a confirmation email from GoDaddy, the domain registrar used by Azure.

Step 5: Configure DNS Settings

1. DNS Management: After purchasing the domain, you can manage DNS settings directly in Azure. Navigate to the "DNS Zone" in the Azure portal to configure records such as A, CNAME, and MX. For information on how to Create an Azure DNS zone and record using the Azure portal, please visit: Quickstart: Create a public DNS zone and record - Azure portal - Azure DNS | Microsoft Learn
2. Map Domain to App: Ensure your domain is correctly mapped to your App Service app by verifying the DNS settings. You can learn more about buying and managing an app Service domain, by visiting: Buy and configure an App Service domain - Azure App Service | Microsoft Learn

Conclusion

Purchasing a domain in Azure is a seamless process that integrates well with your existing Azure services. By following these steps, you can easily set up a custom domain for your applications, enhancing your online presence and making your web address more memorable.