What Do I Do Once I Have Bought My Domain Name
After buying a domain name, you can connect your domain name to a website to publish it to the world. When people type in your connected domain name, theyll see the website youve built. Of course, youll also need a server to host your website on.
First, make sure you write down your login information for your domain registrar of choice. This login information is important when it comes time to connect your domain to your website or renew your domain registration. You can always contact your registrar for help logging in to manage your domain, but its easier to store your login information somewhere safe. You can use a secure password manager if you want to store this information on your phone or computer, or you can simply write it down on a piece of paper and keep it somewhere safe.
When you use a website builder like Mailchimp, you can easily connect your domain name in just a few minutes. Youll also need to choose a web hosting provider, which essentially acts as a server to store the files that make your website work. You can purchase both your hosting package and your domain name separately and connect them to your website using a website builder. However, you also have the option of purchasing a domain name directly through Mailchimp when you build your website.
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How Do I Purchase A Domain Name
To find a domain name or obtain a website address is a very simple process nowadays but there are a few important points you need to bear in mind in your search for domains.
The first point is to remember that you arent actually buying a domain name no-one can buy Internet domains outright as registration is just a license you get from the registry to use the web name a little like renting a house as opposed to purchasing one.
Getting your own website address can be done entirely online and is a fairly rapid exercise but you should check your eligibility before searching and commencing the registration process. While domains ending in .com, .net, .org, .info and .biz have very few requirements youll find that to register a .au domain name does have quite stringent eligibility criteria as set down by the .au registry so check the guidelines first before your purchase. These guidelines are a very good thing they help maintain the integrity of the .au space which benefits all.
After ensuring youre eligible to register a website name, then its just a matter of running a domain name search at a registrar to find out if the name you would like to get is available to acquire. A search feature is also available at the bottom of this page.
Building A Website Once You Register A Domain Name
Once you register your domain name for your website, the next step is choosing what type of website you will build, and how you will build it.
There are many ways to build a website, some of them take a lot of specialized knowledge or coding expertise. Other methods are simple enough for anyone to do themselves.
If you are looking to build a website for your own local business, or perhaps a club or organization you belong to, then WordPress is a great way for people without any experience to get a website up and running in no time.
Likewise, if you want to build an affiliate website, or a content-based website, perhaps on a topic you enjoy or a hobby you have, then again using WordPress is probably the best way to get started.
eCommerce or sites with shopping cart capabilities are probably best built using a shopping cart script such as WooCcommerce, which we have other tutorials that you can follow.
Building a basic website is a lot easier than more people realize, as long as you are willing to learn some new skills along the way.
We have a ton of tutorials and help available to get you started. All you need is the willingness to do it. A few hours later, you could have something amazing up and running.
Also Check: How To Put A Domain Name On Your Website
How And Where To Buy A Domain Name
Once youve decided whether your website should have a .org or .com domain extension, its time to buy the right domain name! Here are some quick steps you can take to register a domain:
- Choose a domain registration service provider, also known as domain registrars, that helps businesses reserve Internet domain names.
- Choose the domain extension of your choice and your budget
- Create an account on the registration website, pay for the domain name, process the new domain name registration, and reserve it for a set billing cycle
- After youve bought a domain, the next step is to host it on a web server with a website hosting provider for online presence
Tip: Domain registration service providers like GoDaddy also offer website hosting services that make it easy for even a beginner to complete the hosting process without much technical assistance.
Which domain extension is right for you Know your options
Choosing the right domain extension also depends on the nature of your business or organization.
For example, if youre a government agency, a .gov domain extension might be better for your website. If youre more of a local business like the one in the UK, a country-specific domain extension or country code top-level domain extension like co.uk may serve your audience better.
Next up, consider hosting your website with a good website hosting provider and determine if youll need an SSL certificate.
Read Also: How To Create A Domain Email With Gmail
Verify Domain Name Ownership
The final step is to verify the domain ownership through the email address you used when registering the domain. The email usually arrives within a few minutes after finishing the domain setup. Simply click the verification link in the email to verify your contact information.
If the email doesnt arrive, resend the request from the control panel. We recommend doing it immediately, as waiting for 15 days or more will lead to a temporary suspension from the registry.
Thats all there is to it. Now you know how to buy a website domain name and complete the initial registration process.
Expert Tip
To make the most out of your newly acquired domain, consider authorizing it with the Google Search Console. This will provide you with important analytical insights and make it easier for Google to crawl the content of your site.
First, log into your Google account and head to the Search Console page. If you want your entire domain to be crawled, enter the URL in the bar on the left. Once thats done, click Continue and youll be presented with a code. Then, copy it and do not close the tab.
Now, log into your Hostinger account, head to the hPanel, and on to the DNS Zone Editor. Under Manage DNS Records, select TXT as the Type. Unless youre only adding a specific subdomain to the Search Console, leave @ as the Name. Next, copy the code youve received previously as the TXT Value. We recommend leaving the TTL Value as the default. To finish it all off, click on Add Record.
Darius G.
Also Check: What Is Net Domain For
Should I Buy A Website Domain Name At An Auction
If the domain name you want is taken and you are willing to pay a premium to get it, an auction or broker sale may be a good way to get the domain youre after. Of course, trying to buy a website domain name will most likely cost you hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars.
Domain owners can sometimes have unrealistic expectations as far as the value of their domain names is concerned. If the domain you want is for sale through a broker, dont hesitate to offer less.
The negotiation room is often built into the asking price.
If you are just starting, then I recommend buying a domain name the cheaper, more traditional way: directly through a domain registrar.
With a little imagination and ingenuity, you can come up with a domain name thats available to register, and every bit as good as an older domain thats for sale.
Older domain names can also have a bad history. A domain used for spamming or one thats been attached to a site that has engaged in black hat SEO can be banned by Google! A newly registered domain name doesnt come with any such hidden baggage.
How Do I Choose The Best Domain Name
Great question! Heres a few core things to consider when choosing your new domain name:
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Read Also: How To Create My Own Domain Email Address For Free
What Happens If I Dont Renew My Domain Name
If you didnt set auto-renewal or forgot to manually do so despite the reminders from your domain registrar, your domain name will expire. This means several things:
- Your website will no longer be accessible by anyone who types your URL.
- The domain name will be available for sale again, typically in 30-days or so after expiration.
- It can also be auctioned on a website domain auction.
In essence, failure to pay a renewal fee means lost access to your domain.
When Should I Buy A Domain Name
The best time to register a domain depends on your project and urgency. However, its better to purchase it right away before a competitor claims the web address.
According to Verisign, there were over 363 million website domain registrations across all TLDs at the end of the first quarter of 2021. This figure is likely to grow each year as the number of people and businesses that compete to get a great domain name is increasing.
Moreover, many entrepreneurs consider domain names to be digital assets they buy plenty of good URLs as investments and wait for their value to increase before reselling them further down the road.
If you want to start a new online business but have no time to build an eCommerce site, then register a domain now and make a website later to reserve your brand or business name for the future. A domain name will be yours as long as you keep paying for it. And do not worry, it will not break your bank. For instance, popular e-commerce domain .shop will cost you only $0.99/month.
Also, consider purchasing a domain that includes your name even if youre not ready to create a personal website or portfolio yet. Doing this can give you control of what potential clients, employers, and other people see when they search for you on search engines.
All in all, purchasing a domain name should be a priority for those who are serious about building an online presence or starting a new business. It will help protect a brands identity and future business ideas.
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Choose Your Billing Terms
After you select the appropriate plan, Hostinger asks you to choose a period for your plan: monthly, 12-month, 24-month, or 48-month.
If you want the free domain, do not select the month-to-month payment option. Hostinger only includes the free domain with terms of one year or more.
The longer your commitment, the greater the discount. You also stretch out that discount for as long as possible, because renewal pricing is never as good. This is not a Hostinger thing, it is just the way every host does it.
If you sign up for longer, Hostinger will actually lower the renewal rate. This is not common. As you can see in the image above, the renewal price for a single month of service is $11.99/month, whereas the renewal price for a 48-month term drops to $6.99/month.
The downside to signing up for a longer period is that you have to pay upfront. Again, this is typical of every host. But Im willing to take the hit with Hostinger because it is a really great deal.
Do the math: Hostinger Premium Shared Hosting saves you over $400 for four years of hosting. Pay a hundred and change today, and dont worry about your website hosting again until this years high school freshmen have graduated.
When you factor in the savings of a free domain name, the price only gets better.
Hows It For Organizations Outside Us:
If youve an eduational institue outside the USA, You still can get a .edu domain name from EduCause. In this case, Your organization should be accredited by the US law or the federal government.
On the other hand, You can get national domains from your countrys registrar. In Egypt, the standard educational domain is like .edu.eg. In india, Its like .ac.in or .edu.in.
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Find Your Domain Name On Your Chosen Domain Registrar Website
Weve already covered choosing your domain registrar. Once you do, look up your chosen domain name to see if its already taken. If it is, the domain registrar will present alternatives either for the domain itself or for the TLD.
It may offer choices such as .net, .org, and .info. Generally, we recommend sticking with a .com TLD because its highly recognizable.
Complete The Domain Registration
As soon as you have completed the payment, youll be redirected to the control panel. Inside, there will be a setup box that youll need to fill out to complete the domain name registration.
Youll need to fill in all the fields with the correct details, such as your name, address, andcontact information. This data will be stored on WHOIS, the official domain ownership database.
After submitting your details, the domain registration will be processed.
Its possible to modify the domain ownership details using the domain management section within the control panel. Once the changes are made, you will have to confirm them via email.
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What Is A Domain Name
Every website on the internet has an IP address. These addresses point to a websites location think of them like GPS coordinates. The IP address, which is generally a set of numbers, usually resembles something like this:
216.27.61.137
Unfortunately, trying to remember all of those numbers in order to navigate to a website can be challenging. Thats where domain names step in and lend a hand.
A structure called the Domain Name System translates those IP addresses into names that are simple to remember. Those names are called domain names.
Your website’s domain is what people enter into the address bar on their browsers to point it toward your website. In the simplest terms, if an IP address is your websites GPS coordinates, the domain is its street address. Some examples are mailchimp.com and google.com.
When someone types a domain into a browser, it gets routed through a DNS server. That server translates the name to figure out which IP address it points to. Then it grabs the data for that website and delivers it to the browser. This process happens in a matter of seconds, letting you find and view a website fast.
How To Register Edu Doman Name
Unlike .com .net .org which all has numerous registrars the sole accreditation of .edu registration is only awarded to one organization Educause.edu. Its a non-profit organization that handles all .edu registration.
The very first thing you need to do is, check if your institution meets all the eligibility requirements.
If you are meeting the requirements, follow these simple steps
1. At first, click on this link Apply for a New Domain Name.
2. Then enter your desired name and click on the Register.
3. The next page that will come up will determine whether the domain you chose in step two is available or not. If the .edu domain name isnt available you would be required to input another domain name and click on Check Domain again.
If the domain name is available you will an option to add the domain name to cart.
4. Now youll have to create an account.
5. Then provide your contact information and click on the Continue button.
6. Then fill up the application form and make the payment.
Thats it. Your are done.
Hope this tutorial helped you to get your desired .edu domain. If you have any questions regarding this, feel free to ask us via comment
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Who Can Get Edu Domain Name
Registering .edu domain name does not establish ownership of the domain name, but allows using it for a certain period of time. How to get an edu domain name? Your right to obtain an .edu domain is unrelated to other domains you may have or acquire in any other top-level domain, such as .us, .com, or .org. EDUCAUSE can register no more than one .edu domain name for each institution, and you are limited to only one .edu domain name. You can apply for the .edu domain name by following the instructions on the corresponding page.
There is a number of prerequisites that you must meet to register or renew your .edu domain name. Educational institutions, academic institutions, or non-profit organizations can register .edu domain name. A complete list of criteria and a detailed description with examples can be found here. We will discuss only the main eligibility criteria.
One of the main requirements is the domain name itself. In addition to rare occasions of transfer of rights or inheritance, your domain name should represent the name of the applicant organization. Generic domain names are not allowed.
Nonprofit organizations have the right to register one .edu domain if the vast majority of their members are colleges, universities, and other relevant educational organizations. The main criteria are that at least 75% of the nonprofit members qualify for .edu domain. Nonprofits whose members are mostly individuals, cannot apply for .edu domain name.