How Do I Choose A Domain Name For A Website
The name should be a true representation of yourself and your business, but there are a few things you can do to help it perform well online.
Firstly, keep it as short as you can. Altering existing words or removing vowels can also be helpful. For example, Flowerbx works better than Flowerbox for the florist business. If you were to type Flowerbox into Google, you would find articles and photos of flowerboxes and the business itself would be buried, whereas Flowerbx is the first result on the search engine.
Another alternative is to go the way of Google or Häagen-Dazs and make up a completely new word. These companies use their business name as their domain. Once again, it does well from a search engine perspective as itll likely be the first result.
How Do You Configure Your Domain Name With Your Website
Now that you’ve bought all of those domain extensions, what are you supposed to do with them? First, configure your domain names with your web hosting service. This will launch your website and allow you to use a company email address to make everything professional.
Using the same High Street Plumbing example, let’s say the main domain name is highstreetplumbing.com. But because you’ve bought highstreetplumbing.co.uk and highstreetplumbing.net, you have the option of domain parking these sites, which means tying them all to your business website’s IP address.
That means that, if a customer is looking for High Street Plumbing and happens to type in highstreetplumbing.co.uk instead of highstreetplumbing.com, they won’t get an error page. Instead, they will automatically be redirected to the main website, highstreetplumbing.com.
Domain parking helps to prevent others from taking your domain name and makes it easy for customers to find your business online.
Run A Domain Name Search
Now that you have found a registrar through which to register your domain, the next step is to perform a domain name search.
When choosing a domain name, make sure to pick the right domain extension as well its the suffix at the end of a web address. Domain name extensions are also referred to as top-level domains .
There are different types of domain extensions available, such as:
- Country Code Top-Level Domain . This kind of TLD represents a specific country, letting both users and search engines know that a site is designed for visitors from a particular region. An example of this is the .us domain, which is the ccTLD for the United States.
- Sponsored Top-Level Domain . Its a type of TLD restricted to certain types of groups and organizations. Some of sTLD examples include .mil, .gov, and .edu.
- Generic Top-Level Domain . Its the most common type of TLD it doesnt rely on a country code and can be used for general purposes. A few examples of gTLDs include .com, .org, and .net.
When deciding on the extension that is suitable for your domain, look for a TLD that represents the purpose of your website. Choosing the wrong suffix can confuse visitors and make your brand name prone to being misinterpreted.
For example, a .com or .biz extensionmight be best for an eCommerce business. On the other hand, if you plan to create a blog to keep an online journal, an extension like .me can be an excellent solution.
Read Also: How Much Should A Domain Name Cost Per Year
How To Easily Get A Free Domain Name: 3 Legit Ways In 2021
Kelly is a former Google Tech Entrepreneur and Apple Developer who has counseled businesses of all sizes and growth stages. You can find her expertise across Fit Small Business in , business website, and business trend content.
This article is part of a larger series on Small Business Websites.
Your website needs a domain name, such as yourbusiness.com, and a savvy business knows there are ways to get one for free. However, the truly free domains are bad for business as theyll cost you your credibility. That doesnt mean youre out of options. What you may not realize is that you can get a free and completely legit domain by purchasing other essential website services.
For example, if youre building your site on WordPress, youll need web hosting for your site to be live on the web. The best web hosting companies, such as Bluehost, offer low-cost yet feature-rich plans packed with free extras, including a domain for as little as $2.95 per month.
How Long Does A Domain Name Registration Last
Domain name registration typically lasts from one to 10 years. Be sure to note the expiration date and renew the name before then. Any good service provider will start sending notices of pending expiration months in advance, so pay attention.
Exactly what happens after a domain name expires varies by country. Some include a grace period, but be sure to check before you buy. With some registries, there is a penalty if you go past the expiry date, and it can get quite expensive once you get into what is known as the redemption period.
If you pass this point, the domain can be made available on a first-come-first-serve basis, so there is no guarantee that you will get your domain name back. The bottom line is to keep an eye on your domain expiration dates and set them to auto-renew if possible.
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Tips To Choose A Domain Name That Works
Estimated Reading Time: 3 minutes
Choosing an effective domain name makes your company memorable. It helps you market your business, shapes how you reflect your brand and affects how people find and get to know you, as its included on your and in search engine rankings.
It doesnt matter if your business is five months or five years old. Picking a domain name should clearly spell out what your company does and who its for. Here are five simple ways to help you find the right domain name for your business.
How Do I Buy The Domain Name
Auction hosts will have protocols in place for making payments and transfers, so refer to their customer service team or FAQ section if youre not sure.
Its a similar story if you want to buy a domain name outright. The registrar will guide you through the process and the name will be yours. A standard fee will normally include a purchase fee and a yearly renewal fee it will possibly involve a set-up fee as well.
Or if youve approached by the owner directly, you can make transfer and payment arrangements between you.
When youre buying a domain name, be aware of legal implications. There is no established domain name law, but you enter into a contract with a domain name registry or reseller when you sign up. Dispute resolution policy can be used if the registry or reseller rules that the domain name you bought was purchased maliciously, such as buying it to sell to a competitor at an increased price.
The UK Domain helps small businesses and individuals get online, offering digital and business expertise along with tools for you to reach your goals. You can use the domain search tool below to help you find the perfect domain name.
Learn how to achieve more online with free and trusted advice from the UK Domain. Browse articles, guides and more here.
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How Much Domain Names Cost
Domain names vary dramatically in price. The price for a .com domain is about $10 to $18, but you will find that prices vary by registrar, domain name, and extension. Many registers will deeply discount the domain but you will need to pay full price in subsequent years.
You may also find a list of domains which cost more than the standard fee. These are domains being held by cybersquatters, and you can purchase a domain from them if the price is acceptable they vary from slightly above standard price to stratospheric, depending on how valuable the domain is perceived to be.
Remember that when you purchase a domain name, it is generally for only one year . If you do not pay the fee at annual renewal, you lose the domain and it can be purchased by someone else. Cybersquatters often quickly purchase lapsed domains under the assumption that the owner neglected to renew by accident and will then need to pay an inflated fee to reclaim the URL.
How To Set Up A Free Domain
The leading web hosting companies offer a free domain name with competitively priced hosting plans. To get your free domain name, simply choose which web host you want to use , and select a plan. Youll then be prompted during the account creation process to create a new domain name. Input your desired domain, and complete the prompts.
Here are the best overall web hosting providers that come with a free domain:
- Bluehost: Best for getting everything you need to start a small business website, from a free domain to free business email for as low as $2.95 per month.
- DreamHost: Best for affordable, short-term plans that are feature-rich.
- GoDaddy: Best for low-cost, high-storage web hosting plans that include extras like a free domain.
Not sure which web host is right for you? Get the complete breakdown on the best web hosting companies or answer a few questions to find which is right for you.
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Should I Buy A Premium Domain Name
Premium domain names are domains that have already been registered by a third party, and are now being resold at a premium through a registrar.
Theyre valuable because theyre short, memorable, and keyword rich. This means theyre frequently searched, and therefore likely to drive traffic to your website.
Some savvy people buy domain names that they know will increase in value, so they can resell them for a profit at a later date.
There are usually two fees for a premium domain: a transfer fee and a registration fee.
As always, if you are going to buy a premium domain name, shop around for the best transfer and renewal fee.
For example, the domain name funkybusiness.org is available through GoDaddy Premium Domains for an estimated one off transfer fee of £3,105, plus a £19.14/year ongoing registration fee.
Domain.com Premium Domains lists funkybusiness.org for a similar price as GoDaddy, but the renewal fee is just £12/year.
Is funkybusiness.org worth that much? It is if its going to drive lots of valuable traffic and conversions for your website.
Building A Solid Domain Portfolio
Building a high-quality domain portfolio can take months or years to accomplish. Often, the key is looking forward to what domains may become popular in the future and hedging through numbers by purchasing hundreds of domains. Others choose to purchase a few already high profile domains and sit on them hoping that they appreciate in value.
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How To Buy A Domain Name: Domain Registration Guide
What you need to know about domain names, how to choose the right one, and the steps to take to check if a domain name is available and to register your domain.
If you want to start a blog or a new online business, youll need to register a domain name, the name for your website. Getting the right domain for your needs might sound technical at first, but the process is pretty simple.
This domain registration guide will tell you what you need to know about domain name extensions, how to choose the right one for your needs, and the steps youll need to take to check if a domain name is available and to register your domain.
How To Get A Good Domain Name
- Dont use your personal name Why? Because what happens if you want to sell your business or hand it off to your daughter who gets married and has a different last name now? I am a firm believer in keeping your personal name out of your business domain and business name
- Dont use your location Why? What happens if you want to expand beyond your local area? Sure I could have ranked easier for SEO services in Kansas City if I had used Kansas City or KC in my business name and domain register name.
- Try to keep it under 15 characters Reason being shorter company names are easier to remember plus it makes it simpler to input when searching for it.
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But Wait What If My Domain Name Is Taken
You have options. You could come up with a new name, slightly modify the domain name with a suffix, or try a different extension than .com. You could also use Whois to contact the current domain owner and get their asking price. If the domain is privately registered, you could also use a broker to negotiate on your behalf. It all depends on how badly you want that name. At the very least, it doesnt hurt to reach out. Youll be able to tell from the looks of the site whether itll be expensive to purchase or not. Theres no market rate for buying a domain name from somebody. It could cost you $10, or in the case of insurance.coms 2010 sale $35.6 million!
Search Domain Name Marketplace Sites
As you are searching for a catchy domain name and are open to ideas, you can check domain name marketplace sites. These are sites where domain name owners post their domain names for sale, using an eBay-type model. Often, these sites will auction off names and sometimes they offer names for a fixed price. Some good marketplace sites to check include:
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Start Early In The Business Development Process
The best time to look for a domain name is when you are naming your business. If your business will have a significant online presence, then your business name may even be influenced by the domain names that are available. Thinking about domain names early is a step in the right direction when it comes to branding and protecting your brand.
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